TV5 Unviels 2011 Line-up
TV5 'Kapatid' network flexes its musclesMany of the shows are adaptations of hit movies from Viva Films like "Bagets," which starred a then rising star, Aga Muhlach, the Andrew E. starrer "Humanap Ka ng Panget," Sharon Cuneta's breakout project with Gabby Concepcion, "P.S. I Love You," and the Robin Padilla action flick "Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum."
Turning hit movies into TV series was actually a favorite programming strategy in US TV decades ago. There have been more misses than hits. The best example of a runaway hit was the TV version of "MASH" which ran for 11 seasons. Its final episode, which aired in 1983, attracted 105 million viewers. Other moderate successes: "Highlander," "Stargate," and "La Femme Nikita." But TV remakes like "Planet of the Apes," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," and "Ferris Bueller" didn't do as well.
These days, Hollywood is doing the opposite, turning TV hits into blockbuster films like "The Incredible Hulk," "The Fugitive," and "Mission Impossible."
TV5 is also resurrecting the Tito, Vic, and Joey sitcom "Iskul Bukol" though it's not clear what roles the trio will play. They're too mature to play students again. The station is counting on the popularity of the trio who carved their fame on GMA-7. Meanwhile, Vic and Joey are getting lots of airtime on TV5 with shows like "Ang Darling Kong Aswang" and "Laugh or Lose" for Vic and "Meganon" and "House or Not" for Joey.
Then there are the Carlo J Caparas projects, "Bangis" and "Limang Daliri ng Diyos." Executives are hoping that Caparas also do for TV5 what he did for ABS-CBN with "Panday" and GMA with "Totoy Bato."
Another trend is doing local versions of reality TV shows in the US. GMA has done it with "Survivor." ABS-CBN is about to do it again next year with "The Biggest Loser" where contestants try to lose weight with exercise and the proper diet. Guess who's hosting? Someone who identifies with the show's theme: Sharon Cuneta. It's certainly a departure from the original version where the host usually does not have weight issues.
TV5 is importing the US reality show, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." In the US, the producers identify families who have experienced setbacks in their lives. The producers then coordinate with a contractor to remodel or even replace their houses while the homeowners stay in hotels at the show's expense. No details yet on the local version.
Networks are generally hesitant to tackle the action genre like "Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum" because of the tremendous expense involved. An honest-to-goodness action-packed series requires lots of realistic explosions, car chases, and dangerous stunts. Those things cost oodles of money. No problem. TV5 big boss Manny Pangilinan and his investors have committed billions of pesos to improve the station's signal, as well as update its technical facilities and build a spanking new studio in Mandaluyong. More importantly, they also aim to produce competitive program content.
If we are to believe TV5's President and CEO Rey Espinosa, the network is already closing in on the market leaders, GMA and ABS-CBN, with top raters like Willie Revillame's "Willing Willie" and Ryan Agoncillo's "Talentadong Pinoy." Their line-up of stars is not yet as topnotch as the competition. Their biggest catch right now is Willie Revillame who has been doing well against the opposition's newscasts. The big problem, though, is the cases that have been filed against Willie by ABS-CBN. However, by airing the show, TV5 must be very confident that Willie will win his case. They also have Dolphy, Maricel Soriano, Ruffa Gutierrez and yes, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon. I'm sure they're trying to lure more Class A stars.
Money does pay a big role in the television industry. In the past, TV5 had some good shows but there was no follow-up because the network did not have enough funds to mount a full-sized attack. Now with MVP providing the financial muscle, TV5 now has the strength to compete on equal terms with the two leaders.
The positive outcome of TV5's aggressive moves is that viewers now have more choices when they turn on their sets. On the minus side, the line-up of new shows is your usual run-of-the-mill formats. It's alright to air a rehash of old movies but why stop there? Have the creative people run out of original ideas? Creativity involves thinking outside the box. That's not evident in their 2011 offerings. Maybe, there are more programs coming up that will really grab the audience's attention, programs that are different from the two existing market leaders. Is that wishful thinking on my part?
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