Another year is about to end. But before the calendar flips to 2018, here is a look back at the year that was in television and radio. This article looks back at some of the Hot or Not moments that define the Philippine media this year.
If you missed out on Part I and Part II of this series, click on the highlighted link for more information.
Here is Part III of the four-part series. These stories are arranged in no particular order.
HOT: Ang Probinsyano
Year II of ‘Ang Probinsyano’ was no different from Year I. Despite questions surrounding its quality for a series that has run for two years and counting, ‘Ang Probinsyano’ continued to dominate the primetime landscape, often reaching 40% or better some nights.
Even as the likes of Maja Salvador, Bela Padilla and Albert Martinez depart, ‘Ang Probinsyano’ soldiered on with new additions such as former GMA stars Aljur Abrenica and Louise delos Reyes. The series was also rewarded with yet another extension that will last until an undetermined date in 2018 (barring another extension).
NOT: Ang Probinsyano’s Opponents
Meanwhile, four different opponents from the Kapuso network tried to take down ‘Ang Probinsyano’ and its lengthy run of excellence. Unfortunately, neither ‘Encantadia’, ‘Alyas Robin Hood’, ‘Mulawin vs. Ravena’ nor ‘Super Ma’am’ were able to take Coco Martin and company down.
None of the four teleseryes breached the 20% mark and worse, the disparity between ‘Ang Probinsyano’ and its opponent is around 20% or better. With such a large deficit GMA should start thinking of a new strategy this early or wait for ‘Ang Probinsyano’ to end in order to take advantage of this new opportunity (too bad there’s no end date yet).
HOT: 2016 Miss Universe
The 2016 Miss Universe was held in the Philippines last January 30 and was simulcast on ABS-CBN, TV5, GMA and Solar Entertainment channels. The collaboration marked just the second time that an event of national interest was aired in unison among the country’s broadcast giants; the last being the Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing fight two years ago.
France’s Iris Mittenaere was crowned the 2016 Miss Universe while the host’s representative Maxine Medina finished among the top 6. However, she was unable to complete an entire year’s reign as this year’s Miss Universe was held last November 26 with South Africa’s Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters winning the said pageant.
NOT: Pacquiao vs. Horn and the sport of boxing
The declining interest in Manny Pacquiao continued as he fought Jeff Horn in July. The end result was a unanimous decision victory for Horn, some bloodshot eyes from Pacquiao and lukewarm reception from boxing fans in the country.
It was a poor year overall for boxing on Philippine television. Despite the efforts of ALA Promotions to promote the sport via its Pinoy Pride series, the year saw the end of ABS-CBN Sports’ partnership with Top Rank Boxing (coinciding with Nonito Donaire ending ties with Bob Arum’s promotion) and the expected cancellation of ‘Blow by Blow’ on TV5.
HOT: Magandang Buhay
2017 proved to be a coming-out party of sorts for ‘Magandang Buhay’ as the show became a ratings hit each and every morning. The news is an encouraging one for ABS-CBN despite the fact that the show airs at 8:00 a.m., which is typically ‘dead’ time for viewership.
With the trio of Melai Cantiveros, Jolina Magdangal and Karla Estrada, plus some impressive selection of guests, it is no secret that this talk show has become the talk of the town. With all due respect to Kris Aquino, the trio of Melai, Jolina and Karla should now inherit the ‘queens of talk’ mantra considering ‘Magandang Buhay”s success.
NOT: GMA’s Animes and The Lolas’ Beautiful Show
The traditional morning powerhouse that is GMA’s Astig Authority suddenly became vulnerable with the rise of ‘Magandang Buhay’. Even though the network redubbed ‘Voltes V’ and ‘Daimos’ this year with a host of celebrities from their stable, it failed to prevent the inevitable.
One talk show that would have helped is ‘The Lolas’ Beautiful Show’, hosted by Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo and Paolo Ballesteros in their alter-egos as Nidora, Tinidora and Tidora. However, the show’s status as a TAPE-produced show (TAPE programs are only allowed an 11:30-2:30 timeslot on GMA most afternoons) prevented it from seriously challenging ‘Magandang Buhay’.
It also didn’t help that ‘The Lolas’ Beautiful Show’ is losing to the morning drama ‘Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin’ on a regular basis. Perhaps GMA should loosen the reins a bit to give the lolas of ‘Eat Bulaga’ a chance to go up against the momshies of ‘Magandang Buhay’.
HOT: ABS-CBN Reality/Talent Shows
Reality and talent shows continue to give ABS-CBN plenty of reasons to celebrate. This year’s winners are:
Pinoy Big Brother Lucky 7 – Maymay Entrata
Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids – Awra Briguela
I Can Do That – Wacky Kiray
The Voice Teens Philippines – Jona Soquite
Currently on the network’s weekend primetime menu are ‘Little Big Shots’ and ‘I Can See Your Voice’, both of which continue to excel and trend among viewers. If 2018 is of any indication, then even more excitement awaits ABS-CBN as it introduces either new seasons of existing reality/talent shows or new programs.
NOT: All-Star Videoke
A poor man’s version of the popular ‘All-Star K’ was introduced to GMA last September. Unfortunately, ‘All-Star Videoke’ failed to live up to the standards of its more successful sibling.
GMA could have used this opportunity to bring back ‘Lip-Sync Battle Philippines’ or acquire ‘Killer Karaoke’. Instead, they rehashed an original Filipino concept that did not work out, and with all due respect to Betong Sumaya and Solenn Heussaff, they are no Allan K and Jaya in that regard.
Part IV of this four-part series is coming up tomorrow. Stay tuned.
The money that GMA used in producing fantaseryes should have been used for digital and HD broadcasts. We don’t know when GMA will become profitable.
That’s what I — er, we — have thought so.
GMA’s history of overspending has been well-documented. They and TV5 belong in the same room where they spend too much without defining their future directions.
Because of this, ABS is the only ‘Big 3’ network that is still financially healthy.
Any reason why you have to change your name again? I told you to stick to just one name to avoid cases of mistaken identity or fraud. Yet here you are, once again making a comment under a different alias that would force me to approve it. This is my last warning to you.
ASAP is really going strong, but however, there is the only thing that is not hot with ASAP this year, the Birit Queens and Soul Sessions segments current status as of now.
Presumably, they are on a hiatus. The good news is that ABS-CBN will bring back PGT by January 6. This is their first ever season without Luis Manzano and he will be replaced by Toni Gonzaga.
Luis is obviously overworked all year with all those hosting commitments. He needs to slow down. Regarding ASAP, there was not much to talk about other than its dominance over Sunday PinaSaya in the ratings. It’s just sing and dance numbers, that’s all.
Ever since the ASAP Jambayan segment was launched, the Birit Queens and Soul Sessions segments are already in doubt, and could be disbanding soon.
Jona Viray said something about the Birit Queens in this article.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/13/17/birit-queens-bubuwagin-na-nga-ba
Regardless, nothing’s changed regarding ASAP. It’s just a song and dance numbers’ show. Unless its ratings slip or drastic things happen with the format of the show, we have nothing else to talk about.
We also need to know if ESPN 5 is hot, especially on how TV5 Is morphing to a more-sports oriented channel, as well as their NFL coverage.
For now testing stage muna sila. Hindi pa natin sure kung kaya nilang mag-ala S+A pagdating sa sports coverage. Tingnan na lang natin kung anong kalalabasan nito.
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Sorry, Ralph, but I just wanna tell you that ABS is the only ‘Big Three’ network that is financially healthy.
Obviously. There’s no need to explain why they are successful now. Perhaps you should enumerate their other businesses one by one.
Speaking of that (although I think what I post next is better as a new article here), two of ABS-CBN’s cable channels, HERO (anime and sometimes tokusatsu) and TAG (Tagalized movies mostly previously aired on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Blockbusters), twelve years old and one year old respectively, will shut down on January 31, 2018, citing “lack of advertiser support.” Some of the animes HERO airs or would air may find a new home in children’s entertainment channel YEY! (TVplus and SKYCable exclusive channel), while Animax and AniPLUS.tv are other options for Filipino anime fans who still want to watch their favorites on cable. Source: https://www.animepilipinas.com/2017/12/23/abs-cbn-herotv-cease-broadcast-january-31/
Back on topic, PGT Season 6 will replace Little Big Shots, while Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin had a lackluster start ratings-wise.
ILAI had a lackluster start, but its opposition did not fare well either. Perhaps its serious tone may have turned off many viewers considering they’re more used to feel-good dramas in the morning.
Regarding Hero and TAG, we’ll talk about that next year.
Not to mention that ABS has a deep talent pool. It has more teens and child stars compared to GMA as what I have noticed in their very own Star Magic Catalogue.
ISA KA PA, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS! SAY THAT AGAIN, I DARE YOU.
I also noticed na he’s still using two different usernames. Kung ako sa ‘yo, just stick with one. Mapapagkamalan ka kasing poser or fake kapag dalawa ang gamit mo. If you insist on using two (in addition to being so obvious among other violations), I have no choice but to ban you.
Am I the only one who kind of likes ASV? It’s not as good as All Star K, but I guess the similarities are enough for me to give it a chance.
Except that the hosts of ASV are not that appealing and convincing at the same time. Betong is no Allan K, and Solenn Heussaff is no Jaya.
GMA’s Astig Authority is just recycled Anime.
They cannot catch up with ESPN5’s AniMega.
I hope Hero TV is put on TVPlus, replace Yey! It’s too childish, put Dora and Diego on K Channel.
FYI, AniMega is technically out of T5N’s programming due to its extended commitment to sports. Hero is also gone, and is now a two-hour block every Sunday morning on Jeepney TV. At least there’s still Animax and AniPlus.