ABS-CBN/Analysis

The name of the merged company ABS and CBN would create after they merged.

When the Lopezes came to a decision to merge ABS and CBN, one of the proposals for the merged company were "CBN-ABS", but they soon decided instead to use a much more appropriate name for the new company: ABS-CBN.

However, at the same time, the Lopezes also owned Monserrat Broadcasting System or MBS, and as they were planning to merge it with the aforementioned two companies, they made another proposal for the name, named "ABS-CBN-MBS", meaning it would signal a three-way merger. They soon decided to use the name ABS-CBN instead, but they did carry on with the ABS-CBN-MBS merger, but this time, with ABS-CBN as the surviving entity.

The logo of the aforementioned merged entity.

Initially, the logo was supposed to have only the square, the ABS and CBN names, and the square until....Eugenio Lopez Jr. put a line on the center of the symbol. Although he put a minor tweak on it, this design would become very iconic as years passed.

Timeline

1961

First Phase of Expansion

Geny Lopez begins to expand ABS-CBN by establishing new TV and radio stations across the country.

• Geny establishes DYCB-TV Channel 3 in Cebu, the first provincial TV station in the country.

1999

Strengthening Its Power

ABS-CBN starts to upgrade its transmitter to provide clearer reception in its service area.

• ABS-CBN rolls out a huge technical upgrade plan for its Manila transmitter.
• The Manila transmitter is renamed as the "Millennium Transmitter" and is upgraded to 120kW.

Setting Great Milestones

Within the year 1999, ABS-CBN was able to register earnest achievements and continued to enjoy massive success with its core broadcasting business and its new subsidiaries.

• ABS-CBN was the number one network in all formats, days, time slots, and demographics.
• The soap operas Esperanza and Mula Sa Puso end on a high note as they register high ratings on their final episodes.
• ABS-CBN launches 13 new in-house entertainment programs for 1999. Two of them, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, and Labs Ko Si Babe, emerged as the No. 1 entertainment programs of the year.
• Star Cinema launched 19 films in 1999, the biggest hit being the action-comedy Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko, starring Fernando Poe Jr. and Judy Ann Santos, whose film receipts doubled those of the local release of Titanic in the country.
• The Sarimanok News Network takes on a new name: ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC).

Losing "Kapitan"

During this year, however, Geny's health was deteriorating again, and didn't expect the next six months of 1999 to be his last.

• Geny's cancer becomes severe again.
• On May, Geny leaves for USA for treatment.
• On June 28, 1999, he passes away. When he returns to the Philippines, his remains are buried in Studio 1 in the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center.