FTT Year 2014 in Review: TV5

Another year is about to end. But before the calendar flips to 2015, here is a look back at the year that was in television and radio. This article will focus on TV5, who made the transition from a mainstream to an alternative station this year.

The Positives

2014 was a year of change for TV5. And some changes were for the better.

A heavily-criticized coverage of the previous PBA season led to several tweaks in TV5’s current schedule. Initially made to benefit the NCAA, the FIBA World Cup, the Youth Olympics and the Asian Games, this was then implemented for the PBA, which was welcomed by fans after expressing their disgust with last season’s coverage.

The year also saw TV5 broadcast other major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, the U.S. NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and the Winter Olympics. Furthermore, they aired the games of the ‘Batang Gilas’ in the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship, keeping in step with the moves made by ABS-CBN Sports.

TV5 viewers also witnessed the premieres of highly-praised weekly series ‘JasMine’ and ‘Trenderas’, as well as a new game show in ‘Quiet Please! Bawal ang Maingay’. TV5 also collaborated with both E! and Wattpad to broadcast ‘It Takes Gutz to Be a Gutierrez’ and ‘Wattpad Presents’, respectively, to good reviews.

And finally, News5 garnered some awards from various bodies, particularly in the programs ‘T3: Enforced’, ‘History with Lourd’, ‘Yaman ng Bayan’ and ‘Bigtime’. ‘It Takes Gutz to Be a Gutierrez’, ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ and ‘Celebrity Dance Battle’ were also honored.

The Negatives

The transformation of TV5 was not without some obstacles, however.

When TV5 revealed its programming lineup for 2014, one of the upcoming programs mentioned was a Philippine adaptation of ‘Pretty Little Liars’. Unfortunately for the network, the project never materialized, even as they denied rumors that it was ‘shelved’.

Not all of TV5’s programs under Noel Lorenzana’s new initiative paid off. The programs that were cancelled in his first full year in charge include the likes of ‘SpinNation’, ‘What’s Up, Doods’, ‘The Mega and the Songwriter’, ‘Killer Karaoke Pinoy Naman’, ‘Face the People’ and ‘Let’s Ask Pilipinas’.

TV5’s sports coverage was also not spared. Early this year, the Kapatid network introduced ‘Moneyball: Dribol op da Pipol’ to its PBA and NCAA coverage, much to the dismay of the more informative and knowledgeable viewers; eventually TV5 relented by moving ‘Sports5 Center’ to the livestream format (as ‘Sports 360’).

AksyonTV, TV5’s sister network, was severely crippled by News5’s programming changes, particularly after the cancellation of its original programs and newscasts ‘Andar ng mga Balita’ and ‘Balitang 60’. As a result, the network became overly dependent on TV5’s programming, which is not a good sign for a news/sports channel like AksyonTV.

The sex scandal involving News5 anchor and Rescue5 leader Paolo Bediones in September also demoralized the network. While he left ‘Aksyon Tonite’ in the midst of the controversy (he was later replaced by Ed Lingao), he did return to host ‘Demolition Job’ and Rescue5 short videos once the impact of his scandal dissipated.

But perhaps the biggest news coming out of TV5’s camp was the departure of Sharon Cuneta. A P1 billion signee of the network a few years ago, Sharon joined TV5 with high expectations, but shows such as ‘Sharon: Kasama Mo Kapatid’, ‘The Mega and the Songwriter’ and ‘Madam Chairman’ failed to deliver.

And finally, there is the annual issue of TV5’s overreliance on Tagalized foreign movies, as well as reruns of local programs.

Outlook

TV5 has already unveiled a list of new and returning programs for 2015, which will be discussed in detail very soon.

It was not a bad year for TV5, even with all the changes that took place. With a new year looming, Lorenzana and company now hope to build on these gains even further, though changes are still to be made as the year progresses.

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TV5’s ‘Weekend Do It Better’ Revisited

‘Wow Mali’, now under the ‘Lakas ng Tama’ tagline, is one of three ‘Weekend Do It Better’ programs on TV5 that are still on the air today. (Title card courtesy of TV5)

It’s been over a year since TV5 decided to change the network’s programming approach.

Under the leadership of president Noel Lorenzana, the Kapatid network overhauled its programming lineup in a way that it would favor a younger and a more active audience. These initiatives resulted in the ‘Weekend Do It Better’, ‘Everyday All the Way’ and ‘KBO: Karunungan, Balita at Opinyon’ blocks.

The first of these blocks debuted in September of last year. The first block, ‘Weekend Do It Better’, initially consisted of the following programs:

1. ‘Showbiz Police’
2. ‘Tropa Mo Ko Unli’
3. ‘Killer Karaoke: Pinoy Naman’
4. ‘What’s Up Doods?’
5. ‘Pinoy Explorer’
6. ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’
7. ‘Wow Mali Pa Rin’
8. ‘The Mega and the Songwriter’

Of the eight, only ‘Tropa Mo Ko Unli’ (now ‘Tropa Mo Ko Nice Di Ba’), ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ and ‘Wow Mali Pa Rin’ (now ‘Wow Mali Lakas ng Tama’) remain on the air. The three shows were the only ‘Weekend Do It Better’ stalwarts to survive TV5’s most recent transformation, that of the ‘Happy Ka Dito’ era, and their success and viewer loyalty were a testament to that.

On the other hand, ‘What’s Up Doods?’ and ‘The Mega and the Songwriter’ were cancelled just before the end of last year due to low viewership numbers. Then in the first half of this year, ‘Showbiz Police’, ‘Pinoy Explorer’ and ‘Killer Karaoke: Pinoy Naman’ were also cancelled, with the first two having moved to new timeslots in the middle of their run.

The ‘Weekend Do It Better’ title would be deemphasized by February 2014, but in the minds of the Kapatid network, it was only the beginning of further experimentation and constant rebuilding. New programs would be unveiled within the next few months, with the hope of making TV5’s weekend lineup even more formidable.

Today, the experiment continues, but for TV5, ‘Weekend Do It Better’ marked the start of bigger and brighter things for the still-No. 3 network, one that would carry them for the next few years.

TV5’s First New Shows of 2014

TV5’s ‘Obsession’ follows the same blueprint used in ‘Positive’, this time tackling the issue of cosmetic surgery.

Next week on ‘Everyday All the Way’, TV5 will unveil a new weekly drama series in ‘Obsession’. Like ‘Positive’, ‘Obsession’ will tackle issues concerning the health of the human body. This time, the series divulges into the world of cosmetic surgery, where the main character obsessed with her former lover assumes a new post-surgical identity. The series will be headlined by Bianca King, Neri Naig, Marvin Agustin and Martin Escudero, and will replace ‘For Love or Money’ at the 8:00 p.m. slot.

Cycle 2 of ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ will also be seen on TV5. The Asian adaptation of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ will have a pair of Filipinos in Jodilly Pendra and Katarina Rodriguez compete against 14 other aspiring models in hopes of becoming the next top model. The series airs starting tonight replacing ‘Positive’ at 9:00 p.m.

In addition, TV5 has also unveiled a mix of new and returning programs that will be seen over the next few months. Returnees include ‘Talentadong Pinoy’ (albeit without original host Ryan Agoncillo), ‘The Amazing Race Philippines’, and ‘The Million Peso Money Drop’. Upcoming titles will include ‘For All the Boys’, ‘My Pirated Family’, ‘Minamahal’, ‘The Baker King’, ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘Pretty Little Liars’, ‘Jasmine’, ‘One Boy’, ‘Beki Boxer’, ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ and ‘Celebrity Dance Battle’. Details of the new shows should arrive once the teasers are revealed.

And even as TV5 unveiled new programs, some existing ones had to go. Both ‘What’s Up Doods?’ and ‘The Mega and the Songwriter’ were presumably cancelled by management for ‘not living up to expectations’. And there is also the uncharacteristically early sign-offs on nights without PBA games, after AksyonTV original programs like ‘Cocktales’, ‘Crime Klasik’, ‘Wasak’ and ‘Chef vs. Mom’ were cancelled. Simply put, the management handled by Noel Lorenzana and Wilma Galvante have a long way to go before stabilizing the network’s programming.

Nevertheless, both ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ and ‘Obsession’ should give TV5 something to look forward to this year. They may still be in the experimental stage, but with the way viewers have responded, it appears that this experiment is headed in the right direction.

In 100 Words: Setting Aside Rivalry for Charity

This past weekend, the three major broadcast networks in ABS-CBN, GMA and TV5, set aside their brewing network wars for charity. Through the use of a telethon, each network encouraged viewers to donate food, clothing, water and sums of money to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

During each telethon the networks sacrificed their own programming to give way to donations and pledges for the needy. While ABS-CBN and GMA aired their telethons in the afternoon, TV5 opted to open their telethon during ‘The Mega and the Songwriter’, and the following morning on ‘Good Morning Club‘, to avoid conflict with their scheduled programs. Nevertheless, each network was able to raise money and relief goods for charity, which is what the telethon is all about.

TV5’s Adjusted Weekend Do It Better Schedule This Week

Last week, the Saturday ‘Weekend Do It Better’ lineup on TV5 was moved an hour later due to the final episode of the controversial noontime variety show ‘Wowowillie‘. For this week, ‘Pinoy Explorer‘ will occupy the Saturday night lineup for one night only, while ‘Juan Direction’ makes its debut.

With the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals in progress, ‘Pinoy Explorer’ was preempted last Sunday to make way for Game 2 of that series. For this week, the program will be slotted to the Saturday night lineup, after ‘Showbiz Police’, and before ‘Tropa Mo Ko Unli’. Meanwhile, the new reality series ‘Juan Direction’ will make its long-awaited debut tonight at 10:00 p.m. The program will feature YouTube sensations and Fil-Brits Henry Edwards, Michael McDonnell, Charlie Sutcliffe, Daniel Marsh and Brian Wilson in a journey around the country, as they attempt to adjust and experience Filipino culture and society.

Here is how TV5’s ‘Weekend Do It Better’ will look this week:

Saturday, October 19

6:00 p.m. – ‘Showbiz Police’

7:00 p.m. – ‘Pinoy Explorer’

8:00 p.m. – ‘Tropa Mo Ko Unli’

9:00 p.m. – ‘Killer Karaoke‘

10:00 p.m. – ‘Juan Direction’

10:30 p.m. – ‘What’s Up, Doods?’

Sunday, October 20

4:30 p.m. – PBA Governors’ Cup Finals Game 5: San Mig Coffee Mixers vs. Petron Blaze Boosters

7:00 p.m. – ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’

8:00 p.m. – ‘Wow Mali Pa Rin’

9:00 p.m. – ‘The Mega and the Songwriter’

TV5’s ‘Weekend Do It Better’ slot will return to its normal lineup for the week of October 26.

UPDATE: ‘Pinoy Explorer’ will now be seen every Saturday at 7:00 p.m., while ‘Juan Direction’ and ‘What’s Up, Doods?’ air starting at 10:00 p.m. As of now the vacated Sunday afternoon slot has yet to be filled, although it may appear that PBA games will air on this timeslot beginning this 2013-14 Philippine Cup.

Broadcasting Notes for the PBA, UAAP and NBA Global Games

The PBA Governors Cup Finals is set tomorrow, with the San Mig Coffee Mixers and Petron Blaze Boosters fighting for the tournament championship. The Finals will be seen live on TV5, a sign that with the network’s new programming shift comes the possibility of the PBA returning to the Kapatid network.

The start times for the Finals will be at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, and at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The earlier Sunday start time was made in order to not clash with TV5’s ‘Weekend Do It Better’ block which features ‘Pinoy Explorer‘, ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?‘, ‘Wow Mali Pa Rin’, and ‘The Mega and the Songwriter’. The games will be held at either the Mall of Asia Arena or the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meanwhile, Game 3 of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Final between La Salle and UST will be seen this Saturday on ABS-CBN. The one-week break was initiated by ABS-CBN themselves, who felt that every potential clincher must be seen on the main Channel 2. Had the series ended on Wednesday, it would only be seen on Studio 23 due to Channel 2’s loaded afternoon lineup. And both the UAAP and ABS-CBN feel it’s the right call, after two of the last three clinchers were broadcast by UHF network Studio 23, with the 2011 clincher of Ateneo over FEU the only such game seen on ABS-CBN.

Game 3 will be at the Mall of Asia Arena, and SM management has placed stricter measures regarding ticket sales after the scalping issue that haunted Game 2. SM announced that limited SRO tickets will only be sold on game day at the MOA’s Marina booth, and only one person per ticket will be issued. The other tickets were taken care of by DLSU and UST.

And finally, the NBA Global Games in Manila tonight will be seen live on Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23. Replay times on BTV and NBA Premium TV can be seen on btv.com.ph.