The new channel 2 is celebrating their first birthday today.
On this day, in 2022, a new television network rose from the ashes of the former ABS-CBN channel 2 on Mega Manila’s free-to-air television. The network, which is owned by the Villar family through their subsidiaries, and Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS), was christened ALLTV.
Before it ALL
Before moving forward, let’s wind back to the months prior to opening day and discuss important events in a nutshell. In January 2022, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) announced that it had awarded the former frequency used by the Kapamilya network to AMBS.
In the next few months, the company signed up talents, mostly formerly associated with the old channel 2: Willie Revillame, Toni Gonzaga, Mariel Rodriguez, and Anthony Taberna, among others to host (and produce for the first two) programs for the new channel 2.
To bring in information to viewers on the channel, AMBS signed an agreement with CNN Philippines to simulcast its 6:00 pm newscast “News Night” amid the absence of a news department during the network’s first few months.
ALL that happened within a year
Then on September 13, 2022, the new ALLTV was finally opened, albeit with what they dubbed as a “soft launching event” first. The said broadcast began at 12:00 nn and was hosted by big name talents Willie Revillame and Toni Gonzaga. Guests from various agencies, including Viva artists and P-pop group SB19 graced the launch.
It was only that same day when the surprise that was the inclusion of reruns of past ABS-CBN series to ALLTV’s programming grid was announced. On top of that, they also inked a deal with Viu Philippines to bring in Viu Original Series to the network’s primetime block after “Wowowin.”
Speaking of which, the network started only by operating from 3:30 pm to 11:00 pm, before eventually expanding to the longer broadcast hours of 9:00 am to 11:00 pm by the end of November.
By December, ALLTV had four original productions: Mhies On A Mission, Toni, Wowowin, and Kuha All. But most of its lineup is still comprises of reruns and movie blocks.
However, in a clear sign of distress for the fledgling network, it had to pull the plug on its original programming in March by pausing production on new episodes. This, as the network continued to operate virtually without any major advertisement amid low ratings across the channel.
ALLTV only attains 0.1% in their best-performing program: the primetime Korean drama belt.
Although, they were quick to clarify then that the halt will only be in place until they have finished improving their signal quality and reach. Since debut, the ALLTV channel has also had to rely on BEAM TV to broadcast in other parts of the Philippines, including Visayas and Mindanao.
But this development later triggered the departure of their first talent, Willie Revillame, in April. Alongside that, he also bagged his game show “Wowowin” with him.
The CNN Philippines Hour at six had also ceased airing on the channel around this time.
As for ALLTV around this time, they continued airing movies, repeats, and reruns of past programming. But, it was the blocktimers who have kept the spirit of “freshness” during this period.
They inked a deal with METV Pilipinas for Chinese drama “Hot Mom” and Makers Mind Media for “Negosyo Goals” starting in March.
Jumping forward to today, they also recently began airing another Chinese drama retitled locally as “Dahil Sa’yo” through a deal with Regent Foods (yes, they also do bring in shows nowadays).
Although, Anthony Taberna’s public affairs show “Kuha All” have since returned to airing fresh episodes since July. Speaking of that, the ALLTV News department was also brought to air on television that month, in time for the 2023 State of the Nation Address. But as of the moment, it isn’t clear yet whether they will produce an original daily newscast for the station.
Beyond that, nothing much has changed in the channel since March. When reruns of past ABS shows end, they replace it with another programs previously made by the former occupant on Two. K-dramas have come and went, before being replayed again. Movie blocks have also come to define many of the network’s prime slots at noon, afternoon, and evening.
Their broadcast hours have also been reduced to 12:00 nn to 9:00 or 9:30 pm, with no clear indication of it re-expanding anew anytime soon to mornings and even late-evenings.
Saya or sayang all?
With all that transpired in over a year, is ALLTV really “Saya All” as their slogan suggests or is it more apt for it to be graded “sayang all?”
Sadly, it is the latter that has to be handed out.
Chiefly, the main culprit for the station’s woes will be the weak signal and reach that it had ever since it launched last year. In hindsight, it would have been wiser if the equipment and facilities have been placed first, rather than signing talents for programs — which are then not watchable due to the issues concerning the signal.
Content-wise, it should be noted that the major networks focus on the creation of shows that do well since they have already decades of reputation and knowledge on viewers — a strategy that took them a long time to build.
It would have helped ALLTV’s cause to provide a good and viable alternative programming to Filipino viewers, especially on timeslots that matters most such as evening primetime. From then on, it would have been best if they have capitalized on that and created a reputation based on such programming first. For ALLTV, since foreign dramas work for them, it could be better if they add a little more variety of such in their line-up.
Eventually, that could generate viewership, especially if done in tandem with further improvement of its signal.
Now that ALLTV is entering its second year, its viewers could only hope that the channel will finally bring something to the table that will come to define them. A programming that would make viewers happy and not sigh from the many missed opportunities for improvement.