“Ang news headquarters ng Pilipinas.”
Today marks the tenth anniversary of TV5’s entry point to the news broadcasting business, AksyonTV.
In 2011, as part of TV5’s agressive strategy to combat the Big 2 (or the Goliaths) of Philippine TV, the network proudly relaunched channel 41. Owned by TV5’s sister company Nation Broadcasting Corporation, the frequency formerly carried MTV Philippines for six years until the music channel moved to cable in 2007. Officially branding it as AksyonTV, the revitalized network aimed to provide viewers with non-stop news coverage as it was hailed as “the first 24/7 free TV Filipino-language news channel in the country.”
Initially, the channel was definitely that. Throughout the day, breaking news updates were provided by Aksyon Breaking, along with its weather news counterpart Aksyon Weather. Speaking of Aksyon, the Kapatid flagship primetime newscast, along with its offshoot Aksyon Journalismo were also carried by the channel. Martin Andanar also had his own flagship news program in Andar ng mga Balita during the mid-primetime block.
TV5’s morning show Sapul sa Singko also aired in full, while the 6:00am Radyo5 program was preempted entirely on channel 41. While we’re at it, Radyo5 shows also filled the late-night, morning blocks, and much of the afternoon of the news channel.
As for public affairs programs, apart from AksyonTV Originals led by Crime Klasiks, late-night PA programs on TV5 also aired uncut versions of each episode specifically for AksyonTV’s primetime audience. Short-form programs were also made via AksyonTV Shorts like Mondo Manu, Kwentong Kanto, Bilang Tao, among others.
During the weekends, AksyonTV would air Radyo5 simulcasts and repeats of public affairs shows that were aired throughout the week. Occasionally, AksyonTV would serve as an overflow channel for sports, as what was the case during the 2012 London Olympics.
For years, AksyonTV was consistent in this format, notwithstanding the revolving door of programs and hosts. But the biggest blow to ATV happened in May 2013, when TV5 decided to axe the AKTV sports block on IBC 13. As a result, sports programs from the block were scattered throughout the channel 41’s programming grid. 24/7 programming also ended that year as the NTC ruled against the practice and is also belived to be part of austerity measures on the side of the management.
Slowly, AksyonTV also ceased the production of original shows and became heavily reliant to the mothership’s offerings for those. By 2014, pioneer news shows for AksyonTV were completely removed as TV5 repositioned 41 as more of a sports channel as both the NCAA and PBA aired during the afternoon and primetime blocks. Foreign imports like FIBA games, Asian Games, SEA Games, the US NCAA and Super Bowl, and the 2016 Rio Olympics were also aired on the channel. Although, TV5 and Radyo5 hookups were still retained, but the airtime for those have been visibly reduced.
As a result of lack of content, AksyonTV welcomed teleshopping and movie blocks to fill some of its vacant airtime, especially during the afternoon and on days when there is no sports coverage. Foreign drama serials Supernatural, Arrow, and even local superhero drama Kidlat served as provisional programming in the channel’s latter years.
The final straw was when TV5 briefly rebranded as the 5 Network in 2018 and shifted its programming to predominantly sports and news, overly similar to what AksyonTV was during those times. The launch of One News in May of that year was also a clear indication that the channel had indeed ran its course.
The following year, the long streak of agony at channel 41 ended as the Kapatid network’s management had its senses awakened. AksyonTV is no more as it was split into two on January 13, 2019. The sports programs were retained on the channel and the frequency moved forward as 5 Plus (and later, as One Sports). Meanwhile, radio hookups and news programs were transferred to Cignal TV via One PH.
The launch and eventual painful existence of AksyonTV is a proof on how news channels on free TV could be unsustainable as a business model. With the channel being virtually behind contemporary GMA News TV in terms of reach and influence during its time, even the addition of sports matches could do little to its reputation. Alas, those only crippled the credibility of AksyonTV as the “news headquarters of the Philippines.”
Currently, AksyonTV lives on as one of TV5’s overseas offerings as AksyonTV International. ATVI carries sports, news, and even entertainment, serving as a constant reminder on how its Philippine counterpart looked like before it met its fateful end.