ABS-CBN on TV5… finally?
If you’ve been living under a rock or is just outside of the station’s coverage area, ABS-CBN Corporation forged a blocktime deal with ZOE TV to air Kapamilya shows on the latter’s A2Z channel 11. Every day, about 10 hours of Eleven’s programming is occupied by shows produced by the embattled media giant, most of which are airing fresh episodes.
In a mere three months after launch, A2Z is said to have risen among the ranks of local television by placing second to GMA. That is an amazing feat as A2Z virtually has smaller reach than its another rival, TV5.
For their part, TV5 has been quite aggressive in recent months. Following the scrapped rebrand to One TV in mid-July, the Kapatid network has introduced a slate of shows that were supposed to be launched along with the revamp. A new system has been placed akin to how US television networks program their network; by outsourcing entertainment shows.
Production companies joining hands with channel 5 include sister company Cignal TV, The IdeaFirst Company, Content Cows Company, APT Entertainment, Viva Entertainment, and Brightlight Productions.
But in recent weeks, about four shows have already ended: Chika, BESH!, Usapang Real Life, Sunday Noontime Live, and Sunday ‘Kada. Currently, with the exception of Chika, BESH!, all shows are placed under a seasonal hiatus. However, it is perceived that the end of some shows are due to a weak advertsing load coupled with TV5’s weak marketing and signal reach.
As things are starting to look bleak for the third place network, a giant in search of alternative venues is an enticing proposition.
In a report made by Ricky Lo for his Philippine Star column, he reported that a bigger Kapamilya-Kapatid alliance is already in the works. By “in the works” Lo meant that it’s going to be officially announced anytime this week. But the million peso question if this deal pushes through: how would TV5 accomodate ABS-CBN?
There are endless possibilities should a synergy as big as this materializes. But here are some that could happen.
Possibility #1: TV5 to carry major programs, A2Z to carry ABS-CBN’s cable channel programming
Noting TV5’s wider reach than A2Z that spans the Visayas and Mindanao, ABS-CBN might then transfer anchor programs like ASAP, It’s Showtime, and their primetime teleseryes. On the other hand, ABS-CBN News-produced shows would remain exclusive to cable as there would be a conflict of interest for TV5 – which in turn has News5, One PH, and One News.
But there’s a big roadblock for the partnership and that is the live broadcast of PBA on the Kapatid network’s primetime block. They would also need to deal with existing blocktimers on 5, as many of them occupy some of these “major” slots like noontime and primetime.
For the former, a within-reach solution would be a live broadcast of games over at One Sports channel 41, with TV5 airing the delayed broadcast outside of the blocktime schedule. As for the latter, it would be tricky as slots are bought and ABS-CBN would need to outbid those existing contractors to gain a particular slot.
Meanwhile, channel 11 could be used as an outlet for ABS-CBN’s cable channel programming. Firstly, programs from Knowledge Channel could now be aired much longer. Children’s programming pooled from Yey and now Kapamilya Channel could also be added to fill in the schedule. News coverage from TeleRadyo and/or ANC could also be added, but knowing the lack of news programming in the current schedule, it’s nearly impossible to happen.
Possibility #2: TV5 and A2Z to only simulcast during multiple timeslots
Another probable case would be a three-way simulcasting of programs between TV5, A2Z, and Kapamilya Channel during several timeslots during the broadcast day. This setup would let TV5 breakaway occasionally to air sports programs, while the broadcast of ABS-CBN shows would continue on the remaining two platforms.
A2Z could also retain its current broadcast lineup, with slight variation of shows in some timeslots to prevent cannibalizing their (supposed) former rival.
Possibility #3: TV5 and A2Z could have two different sets of programs
In contrast to the first two possibilities, TV5 and A2Z might end up having two different sets of shows that target different demographics.
For TV5, with respect to their wider reach, they could end up bagging the bigger shows on primetime, with A2Z getting a set of shows that may, perhaps, aired on ABS-CBN’s other platforms and end up as a youth-skewing station.
Possibility #4: ABS-CBN to only supply programs to fill TV5’s vacant airtimes
Another tactic could be the retention of TV5’s current grid. With the (temporary) end of some Brightlight shows on Sunday afternoons and the end of Primetime Todo series, ABS-CBN could then takeover some of these slots to air content that they might have deep in their archives.
ABS-CBN films could also possibly air during TV5’s temporary afternoon movie blocks every Wednesday, Friday, and weekends.
Possibility #5: A mix of everything mentioned
The most elaborate of the plans could actually be in the offing. TV5 could get some shows, but not all. Meanwhile, A2Z could then be filled up some spots with other Kapamilya programs from various ABS-CBN platforms, should some of their currently airing shows transfer to TV5. But they would be able to simulcast on certain moments, while 5 could also breakaway at times for their own original shows.
Surely, it would be a big blast for TV5 to welcome programs from their former rival station. Seeing how A2Z went from dark to second in less than a quarter, TV5 could be inspired to become more competitive and gain traction that most of their shows nowadays are still trying hard to figure out how to achieve.
If ABS-CBN does buy airtime from the Kapatid network, it would only be a matter of time to see what improvements or even blows the deal might deliver for the country’s distant third network.
As of the moment, ABS-CBN and Mediaquest Holdings – parent of TV5 and Cignal – are yet to respond to the rumors.