Starting on August 23 (Saturday), Solar News Channel will officially change its name to 9TV, according to a statement issued by the organization on Wednesday (August 13).

This marks the beginning of the channel's thrust to reach a wider audience and to strengthen its presence on free TV RPN 9.

As a major player in the Philippine TV industry, 9TV will continue to focus its programming on providing news and information, but it will beef up its weekend programming to cater to more viewers.

Similarly, the Solar News organization will then be known as 9News.

All the programs and personnel will remain the same. Only the brand name will change.

"The network will retain its objectives and values," the statement said. "9TV will continue making its mark in developing an informed and inspired public, while also broadening its appeal to the free TV audience. 9News will continue to be the credible and consistent source of news and information, offering 'News You Can Use' and back-to-basics journalism."

9TV will be seen in the following free channels:

• RPN 9 in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao
• RPN 5 in Zamboanga
• RPN 12 in Baguio
• RPN 8 in Bacolod

It will also be carried by over 160 cable operators nationwide, among them:

• Sky Cable Channel 14 in Metro Manila
• Sky Cable Channel 6 in Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Baguio
• Destiny Channel 14
• Cignal Channel 10
• Cablelink Channel 14

Starting August 23, the Solar News website will also change its address from its current www.solarnews.ph to www.9news.ph. Its Twitter account will become @9newsph and Facebook account will be www.facebook.com/9newsph. - Solar News Online