Schedule Suggestions: A2Z Channel 11 (December 2020)

A2Z is now two months old!

Months after the launch of A2Z Channel 11, it has proven that it’s more than a mere replica of Kapamilya Channel on free TV. Apart from the given JIL-oriented religious programming, A2Z also has a mix of children’s shows, movie blocks, and educational programs from Knowledge Channel.

Later on, more distinction between Channel 11 and KC have become more apparent. On weekends, a 15 minute gap between the timeslots of the same show on both channels happen. For example, I Can See Your Voice would air at 8:00pm on Kapamilya, while it would be at 7:45pm on A2Z.

Thus, that would be the rationale behind this suggestion post: the time difference between the two channels and how it should be done instead.

Saturdays

6:30am – Asenso Pinoy
7:00am – Jesus The Healer
8:00am – A2Z Kids Block
10:00am – Zinema sa Umaga
12:00nn – It’s Showtime (simulcast on Kapamilya Channel)
3:00pm – ZineLove
4:30pm – ZineAksyon
6:00pm – Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan
7:00pm – I Can See Your Voice
8:00pm – MMK
9:30pm – Pinoy Big Brother Connect
10:30pm – Jesus The Healer
11:30pm – Off Air

Sundays

7:00am – JIL Sunday Worship and Healing Service
8:00am – A2Z Kids Block
10:00am – Zinema sa Umaga
12:00nn – ASAP Natin ‘To (simulcast on Kapamilya Channel)
2:00pm – FPJ Da King / ZineAksyon
4:00pm – ZineLove
6:00pm – Iba ‘Yan
7:00pm – I Can See Your Voice
8:00pm – Pinoy Big Brother Connect
9:00pm – Sunday Zine Hits
11:00pm – Jesus The Healer
12:00mn – Off Air

Expanding the gap from the current 15 minutes to a full hour on primetime would be better. Firstly, it should help bring more viewers to tune in on A2Z, especially the reach that channel 11 has is only limited to Mega Manila only. But with pay TV being required to access A2Z from other parts of the country, it overlaps with the audience of the Kapamilya Channel.

Therefore, to differentiate the products, both Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live can be transformed to a “+1” variant of A2Z during selected hours. It is also beneficial as mistakes or any hiccups that might happen during the first telecast on A2Z can be rectified when broadcasted later at KC and KOL. If viewership is a problem, A2Z would still have the upperhand as it broadcasts on free-to-air TV in Mega Manila.

But, the “+1” system would definitely not work for every show. Instead, the retention of the simulcasting setup for both Showtime and ASAP is also highly suggested as the buzz that these shows create on social media would alienate viewers when they watch a delayed telecast. But in the case of Pinoy Big Brother, as it is a ratings juggernaut, centralizing the audience on A2Z could help it catapult the station’s viewership.

Weekdays

6:00am – Brother Eddie Classics
7:00am – Knowledge Channel School At Home
9:00am – A2Z Kids Block
11:00am – Magandang Buhay (simulcast on Kapamilya Channel)
12:00nn – It’s Showtime (simulcast on Kapamilya Channel)
2:30pm – Bagong Umaga
3:15pm – The Good Son
4:00pm – Zinema
5:30pm – A2Z News
6:00pm – Primetime Zinema
7:30pm – FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano
8:15pm – Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin
9:00pm – Walang Hanggang Paalam
9:45pm – Pinoy Big Brother Connect
10:30pm – Brother Eddie Classics
11:30pm – Off Air

Much like on weekends, primetime dramas can air 60 minutes in advance from its main broadcast on Kapamilya platforms. It’s also advantageous as a counterprogramming strategy against 24 Oras of GMA and the gameshows on TV5.

Apart from that, the A2Z Kids block should also be moved to mornings, right after the Knowledge Channel School at Home block. Putting children-oriented programming right after the KCH block is a good way of retaining the younger audience.

Finally, a dedicated “A2Z News” bulletin should also be considered. Previously, A2Z News Alerts were only aired as an extension of ABS-CBN News’ coverage of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Should this receive a go signal, the 30 minute bulletin could be patterned with the former extended edition of News Patrol on Kapamilya Channel. A news program in the most basic format of sorts: national, weather, and business/consumer reports. It must also be aired at around the suggested time to prevent indirect competition with TV Patrol and other flagship primetime newscasts airing on other networks.

In the succeeding post, the discussion will continue with the suggestions for Kapamilya Channel in light of these changes being suggested for A2Z.

Click here for the part 2 of this series.