The Rise of TV5
It was not long ago that this Filipino channel was virtually unwatchable. The network’s lineup of basketball broadcast and low-budgeted shows were just as bad as dead air. The reception was even very bad that it has never been an option for Pinoy viewers.
And just recently, PLDT Group under the brilliant Manny Pangilinan, bought the TV network to break the duopoly in Philippine broadcast industry. Months later, Philippine television has never been the same, again.
After several high profile network transfers and intensive investment, the no. 3 network is poised to change the heated competition once centered between the Kapamilya and Kapuso networks. Dubbed as the Kapatid channel, TV5 has grown and expanded at a very rapid rate and in just about two years, is now in a head to head battle for network supremacy.
In fact, what GMA Network has done for a decade was made possible by TV5 in two years --- a competitive primetime line-up and establishing regional stations to boost its local reception. It has also launched the first Filipino news channel in free TV and a sports channel in IBC’s primetime block.
And to validate its relative success, TV5 launched its star-studded Christmas station ID which could rival ABS-CBN’s most anticipated annual seasonal plug. I have never imagined that the former ABC network could create a plug of this quality in a short span of time after being re-launched and revitalized.
However, the startling of all is seeing the Megastar, Superstar and the Noontime King in a single network plug, a truly blinding star wattage of no other in Philippine television. Not even the network who openly and currently claims being the number one channel has done this kind of star extravaganza.
But the Christmas Station ID is just the beginning of the great things viewers should expect from TV5.
2012 is poised to be even a bigger year for the Kapatid network, as bigger shows are expected to grace our television sets.
Let’s see how the network’s gamble to pirate big and high-paying stars pay off this 2012. Will TV5 trounce GMA Network in Mega Manila? Or beat the national leader ABS-CBN?
No one can be sure. But one thing is true, TV5 is here to stay and shall be a force to reckon in Philippine broadcasting.
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