TV5 (stylized as 5 and formerly known as ABC) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network headquartered in Mandaluyong, with additional studios in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Joaquin "Chino" Roces, the owner of the Manila Times, obtained a radio-TV franchise through Republic Act 2945 from Congress on June 19, 1960.

[1] He then went on to establish the Associated Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), with the initial studios located along Pasong Tamo in Makati, Rizal (now part of Metro Manila).

On September 23, 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law, resulting in the forced shutdown of ABC and the Manila Times.

ABC completed the construction of its studio complex and transmitter tower in Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City, in 1990.

In June 2003, the joint consortium of Tan and Roces sold ABC TV and radio stations to a group led by businessman Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco Jr. Cojuangco, the former chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and owner of Dream Satellite TV and Bank of Commerce, formally acquired the assets[4] in October of the same year.

[5] Cojuangco became the president and CEO of ABC, with Jose T. Pardo, a former secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, serving as the Network's board chairman.

ABC aimed to differentiate itself by offering fresh and distinct programming formats, targeting the growing middle to upper-class youth market.

In early 2007, ABC implemented budget cuts that mainly affected its news department, resulting in significant layoffs and a diminished capacity for coverage.

In November 2007, ABC launched new sports programming, including NBA basketball, professional boxing, and WWE events, as part of a five-year deal with Solar Entertainment.

In March 2008, "Tonyboy" Cojuangco announced a partnership between ABC and MPB Primedia Inc., a local company backed by Media Prima Berhad of Malaysia.

Christopher Sy was appointed CEO of MPB Primedia, Inc. but resigned in January 2009 due to reported differences in management style.

The Network retained its alternative programming line-up but aimed to cater to "Progressive Pinoys, including those 'young at heart'" to market classes C and D.[11][12] TV5 unveiled its upgraded 120-kilowatt state-of-the-art stereo TV transmitter.

[13] In September 2009, TV5 began airing two hours of content from Singaporean broadcaster Mediacorp, mainly its Mandarin dramas and English sitcoms, dubbed in the Filipino language.

[14] On October 20, 2009, Media Prima announced its intention to divest its share in MPB Primedia / TV5, along with its affiliated ABC TV stations, and sell it to MediaQuest Holdings, the broadcasting division of PLDT.

From January 2016 until December 31, 2018, TV5 and Cignal, through Hyper, served as the official free-to-air and pay television partners, respectively, for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the Philippines.

[23] TV5 President and CEO Emmanuel "Noel" C. Lorenzana stepped down on September 30, 2016, and was replaced by basketball coach and Sports5/D5 Studio head Vicente "Chot" Reyes.

On January 13, 2019, TV5 introduced a variation of its 2018 logo, which included the respective websites of the division producing the program as part of their on-screen graphics following the launch of 5 Plus.

[27][28] On June 3, 2019, Chot Reyes retired as TV5 President and CEO and was succeeded by Jane Basas, who led pay-TV provider and radio company Cignal TV/Mediascape.

[31] On July 27, 2020, Cignal TV, TV5, and Smart Communications announced a multi-year deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the league's official broadcast rights in the Philippines, replacing Solar Entertainment Corporation.

[36][34] In mid-September 2020, TV5 announced a second wave of programs for October, including shows produced by Regal, Viva, APT Entertainment, Brightlight Productions, and News5.

TV5 simulcast Kapamilya Channel programming, including shows like It's Showtime (2022–2023; later moved to All TV,[37] GMA Network[38][39] and GTV,[40] in following years), ASAP, FPJ: Da King (2021–2023) and Sunday Blockbusters (2024) movie blocks, Kapamilya Gold (Pira-Pirasong Paraiso and Nag-aapoy na Damdamin only), Primetime Bida and Yes Weekend!

[56] On March 21, 2023, TV5 announced the launch of its main channel in high-definition (HD) feed, presented in a full-screen format, on Cignal TV.

The Network gained popularity for its TV5 AniMEGA anime programming block, which introduced numerous Filipino-dubbed Japanese anime series to Philippine television including Code Geass, Shakugan no Shana, Azumanga Daioh, Special A, Makibaoh, Toradora!, Clannad, Yatterman, D.Gray-man, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and Gundam 00.

[14] TV5 gained notoriety for pioneering tabloid talk shows known for confrontations, physical fights, and scantily clad guests.

In 2017, TV5 partnered with Aniplus Asia[63] to bring back the AniMEGA block, showcasing Japanese anime series such as Attack on Titan: Junior High, Myriad Colors Phantom World, Kantai Collection,[64] Knights of Sidonia,[65][66] Norn9,[67] and Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

[70] TV5 has been simulcasting selected programs from Kapamilya Channel and ABS-CBN Studios, such as Magandang Buhay (2023–2024; later transferred to All TV in May 2024),[71] FPJ: Da King (2021–2023) and Sunday Blockbusters (2024) movie blocks, ASAP, and programs from the Kapamilya Gold (Pira-Pirasong Paraiso and Nag-aapoy na Damdamin only), Primetime Bida and Yes Weekend!

It took over the slot formerly occupied by a simulcast of ABS-CBN Studios' It's Showtime which later transferred to All TV in June 2024,[77] as well as exchanged to GMA Network and sister channel, GTV, in April 2024 and July 2023, respectively.

The Network's programs can be viewed in various regions, including Guam, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States.

[84] ABC's media relations head, Pat Marcelo-Magbanua, defended that "The Network was a Filipino company that 'complied' with local regulations.