2nd Avenue will sign off for good this Thursday, leaving the future of RJTV-29 in doubt. (Logo courtesy of Solar Entertainment)
One of Solar Entertainment’s long-running channels will sign off for good.
On Thursday, May 31, 2nd Avenue will officially end its broadcasts following a 12-year run. The channel’s impending departure was expected as 2nd Avenue was not included in the new EasyTV set-top digital TV box that Solar released earlier this month.
So far, no reason was given behind its shutdown, but it is likely that 2nd Avenue became the odd channel out due to redundancy in terms of programming. Some of its shows also air on sister channels ETC and Jack TV, both of which are included in the EasyTV lineup in addition to other foreign entertainment channels.
It also adds plenty of intrigue with regards to the future of RJTV-29, 2nd Avenue’s home channel on free TV. Some have theorized over the fate of said channel, ranging from the return to its original format pre-2nd Avenue to a possible new tie-up with Solar Entertainment.
2nd Avenue was initially launched as a spinoff channel to ETC in late 2005, before it was shortened to its current name a few years later. Starting in 2008, 2nd Avenue became available to free TV when Solar Entertainment and Rajah Broadcasting Network signed a blocktime deal to allow the channel to air on RJTV-29.
Over the years, 2nd Avenue featured a wide array of American and international action, drama, entertainment and suspense programs, some of which were later aired a few hours after its original stateside broadcast. And since the move to RJTV-29, the latter’s own programs such as ‘RJ Sunday Jam’ and ‘Thank God It’s RJ’ were aired as well.
Like its sister Solar channel ETC, 2nd Avenue aired 24/7 on cable, satellite and digital TV. However, its operating hours on analog TV remained limited as it only aired 19 hours per day.
Regardless of what the future holds, viewers should look forward to a new era in RJTV-29’s history no matter how it turns out. As for 2nd Avenue, its run may be over, but its memories remain.
UPDATE: Solar Entertainment officially announced that 2nd Avenue will cease broadcast on Tuesday, June 5, not June 1 as originally posted.
>The channel’s impending departure was unexpected as 2nd Avenue was not included in the new EasyTV set-top digital TV box that Solar released earlier this month
You mean “impending departure was expected considering 2nd Avenue…”? Parang off yung sense ng paragraph na ito.
Corrected.
Jumping ahead of me, considering na Huwebes ang day off mo.
Well, not much news going on in TV right now.
From the actual 2nd Avenue FB page, it’ll not end on Thursday but a week from now: https://www.facebook.com/2ndAvenue/photos/a.162895999270.117294.43842489270/10156796526384271/?type=3&permPage=1
We’re a bit premature but one of the former commenters of FTT will miss it (or possibly silent and kept in his heart).
Updated already.
I’m hoping that RJTV would launch its own programming, plus a few carryovers from 2nd Ave.
We’ll just find out on June 6 when RJ returns to ‘normal’.
I will surely miss this channel. Great programs. What I won’t miss is the programs of rj. They are waste of time. Music are so boring and redundant. Hope etc will carry the shows of 2nd avenue or continue the series that has awakens seasons left.
Whatever plans RJ has in mind, let’s just hope that they’ll do things right for the network. It will be a very daunting task for them to rebuild so good luck.
As for the shows in the soon-to-be-defunct 2nd Avenue, some of them are now being aired on either Jack TV or ETC. Solar is doing this to avoid redundancy in terms of format and programming.
What happen to other shows, like Ellen, aired on 2nd Avenue? Will some of them air on other free TV?
Some will air on ETC, others on Jack TV. Only ETC is on free TV right now, so if you want to access Jack TV on digital TV, better pay P2999 for an EasyTV digibox plus an annual subscription fee of P999 after one year.
I find it very sad that 2nd avenue is signing off. It shows how little people know about a good and interesting tv chanel. 2nd avenue was the best chanel on philipino tv,with a large variety. Most of all I will miss the Ellen show. It looks like everything that is good is being replaced by rubbish.
Blame the word ‘redundancy’ for the demise of 2nd Avenue. But at least some of its shows will still air on ETC and Jack TV. If not, watch online instead.
I will miss 2nd Avenue.
Lalo na ang mga Ellenatics. At least mapupunta sa ETC ang Ellen.
Sad!! Where can I watch ET and Modern Family?
For ET, it will now air on ETC next week. Not sure where will Modern Family be aired.
Mukhang once 2nd Avenue bites the dust, RJTV analog will shut down too and become a digital-only channel.
That was the plan since RJ is also a government official and is willing to adapt his network to the times.
Malamang sa June 30 pa ang simula ng RJTV sa DTV kasabay na rin sa mga provincial stations.
Not sure though. We’ll just wait and see what happens from here.
We Love RJ,,, no kidding,, but, this Test of Oldies and RJ Youth scenes is totally Not going to make it,,, Just stick to the Great Radio,,,we love it even in the USA! just no need to waste time and money trying to be another Oprah,,, will Not work,,,,sorry
Well, RJTV has been airing since the 90s and Mr. RJ himself is doing his best to keep up with the times. Pretty soon they’ll be ready for digital TV.