Effective January 1, 2022.
In a surprise announcement, on December 11, 2021, Cignal TV shared across its social media pages that two of its owned channels will cease operations by the beginning next year. Affected by the upcoming changes are Colours and One Screen. According to the satellite TV operator, the decision to discontinue both channels was based on their “business review.” As of the moment, the operator is yet to unveil plans for the content airing on both channels.
For brief history of both channels, here’s a quick rundown. First up, Colours, Cignal’s dedicated lifestyle and entertainment channel. Launched in May 2012, it was one of the three in-house offerings of Cignal TV that were launched that month, alongside Hyper and Weather Information Network (WIN). Initially showcasing curated local and foreign content, Colours soon entered into the production of more originals. The list includes From Helen’s Kitchen, 40 is the New 30, MomBiz, among others. It would have celebrated its tenth anniversary next year, if not for this development.
Meanwhile, One Screen is the movie and drama channel of the pay TV platform. Launched in 2020, One Screen showcases content aggregated from content providers like Cignal Entertainment, GMA, Regal, and a bunch of foreign producers.
With the discontinuation of the two channels, the question is where would the content airing on both move after January 1? Here are some of the possibilities that might (or might not) occur.
#1. Migration of One Screen and Colours’ content to other channels
As of the publication of this piece, Colours airs three types of content: lifestyle, general entertainment, and music.
For the lifestyle component, it could most likely end up on One News. Since the news channel’s inception, it has aired selected original programs first seen on Colours. However, there is a possibility that foreign lifestyle shows from international producers may not be included in the transfer. Although, that could still happen, considering the vacancies in airtime on One News. One PH could also pick up some of those lifestyle-oriented programs.
As for the general entertainment shows, it could possibly be put on Sari-Sari or BuKo, depending on the type of program. But the hurdle for such is the perception that Cignal curates each of the two channel based on the producer, apart from the content. For SSN, it is a venture between them and Viva, while BuKo is a partnership with APT. With most of Colours produced by neither of the two, it is unclear how would that play out.
Lastly for Colours, music shows like M Countdown could find a home in the general entertainment channels that Cignal currently has. If not, then TV5 would become the only avenue for such type of programming.
As for One Screen, movies, local and Tagalized drama shows could move over to Sari-Sari or BuKo. Still, that would depend on the slot availability of each channel and if parties agree to that kind of set-up.
#2. A general entertainment channel could be in the horizon
With Colours and One Screen seemingly complementing each other now, a technical merger of both channels might happen next year.
In this merger, all content (which would be at that time) previously airing on both channels would be housed under one roof. There, local drama Niña Niño would soon join the lineup of acquired drama programs from across the world.
Meanwhile, variety content like Sing Galing and Lunch Out Loud could become integral part of the schedule of the “combined” channel.
Movies could still air throughout the day, with Colours-like children movie block airing in the mornings. As for lifestyle shows, a handful of those could still be aired, which would most possibly be original shows that Cignal has produced for Colours and other channels from their portfolio.
Music shows and specials would also have no problem fitting in, as they could receive better viewership now that all entertainment content are housed together.
As for the name of the channel, it could easily fall in the category of One channels, considering that it would feature combined programming, along with the amalgamation of shows from various producers. For that, the decommissioned supposed-rebrand of channel 5 as One TV could be reused for this channel. However, should that be a no, there are still options like One Network, One Life, among others. Though, there is still a chance that a combined channel might also opt out from the One name and adapt a new brand altogether.
In conclusion
Come January 1, it would be the dawn of the new era for Cignal TV. With the rapidly changing TV business model, it would be and is truly a challenge for the operator to keep their customer base happy with the offerings that they have.
For that, the surprising end of Colours and One Screen could just be the start of something new, and perhaps, of a more “awesome” lineup for the content and pay TV provider.
Finally, so long, One Screen and Colours.