[AUTHOR’S NOTE: We had a Leap Day special back four years ago, two weeks before COVID-19 pandemic caused global havoc.]
FEBRUARY 29 is usually an ordinary day, except for those who celebrate their birthdays or anniversaries on that day, it happens once every four years.1
Since the last Leap Day post, we all know what happened after that and here are the findings after the presented mini-cases:
- Regional newscasts: GMA is the only national broadcaster that offers regional newscast; TV5 cannot, as expected. While GMA Regional TV has six regional newscasts, it hasn’t expanded beyond those since 2022.
- PBA: PBA’s new conference began yesterday. They show poor attendance in the previous conference as fans only care about Ginebra. The management seems so oblivious to the flaw to the flow of the machinery and is desperate to make a difference in regaining their fans as they approach their 50th anniversary. (MPBL looms.)
- Tawag ng Tanghalan: Except on live-stream, the noontime show that bears that segment has no permanent home and was bounced between Channels 11 & 27. They even did a kids’ counterpart.
Initially, I intended to write about “leaping forward” in streaming, as linear TV’s appeal is now wreaking havoc, is declining or becoming stagnant. This could have included the termination of Sky Cable’s operations (as a part of the cordcutting trend), but the agreement with PLDT was canceled a few days before it was supposed to be finalized. (This time, it had nothing to do with an irked congressman who caused the previous cancellation.) However, the Telenovela Channel will continue to pull the plug after 12 years.
In free-to-air TV sub-realm, The Voice Kids will leap to Kamuning this year, which will disappoint Ignacia loyalists but it was confirmed during the New Year’s Countdown. This move demonstrates that the TV industry remains business-driven. It’s a significant consequence, but it serves a reminder that without a wide reach, you can’t expect good returns.
Speaking of leaping, I had to return with the mini-cases from 2020, where new problems necessitate a leap of faith — and we mean the positive kind.
Mini-Case No. 1: TikToClock as a Noontime Show
The rumor the TAPE, Inc. owes GMA P800-M could cause the blocktime to lose its contract renewal by the end of this year. TAPE’s moral and legal reputation were tarnished after splitting with TVJ and losing a legal dispute over intellectual property last year.
This might lead GMA to either let It’s Showtime take the slot next year or elevate TikToClock.
The first option would likely please the show’s solid, dedicated yet impatient fans due to GMA’s wider reach just as its former home on Channel 2. However, it may not sit well with the most dedicated (especially purist) Kapuso fans, who may feel as if they are losing a piece of their identity.
On the other hand, the second option appears more sensible and purists will be pleased to prove that their network can stand on its own. With the return of Tawag ng Kampeon as a segment this month, as well as experienced hosts Pokwang and Kuya Kim Atienza (both living victims of the second Ignacia shutdown), there’s an opportunity to expand the existing segments (including Saturdays) and go live.
We just need to make sure that discipline is maintained.
Mini-Case No. 2: The Senate Channel on PTV’s DTT
A month ago, the People’s Television Network (PTV) rented out one of their DTT subchannels, Congress TV, which broadcasts the House of Representatives’ committee and plenary sessions. Despite being long overdue, the move was well received, as evidenced by the recently concluded Monthly Sundry Survey. This implies that the Senate, also known as the Upper House, should consider adopting a similar arrangement.
Although both chambers of Congress already live-stream their proceedings on social media, PTV aims to provide a dedicated platform. As for weekend or recess programming, they could take cues from channels like C-SPAN and BBC Parliament.
Mini-Case No. 3: New MNL48 Search?
(Thank JC Domondon for that idea.)
MNL48, a girl group formed in 2018, has faced numerous challenges since its inception (apart from obvious obscurity). These include member turnover due to violations or personal reasons, changes in team structure and management decisions, and financial and physical struggles due to the pandemic and the shutdown of the network that founded the group.
Despite these difficulties, the group has persevered, even sacrificing team captains and members.
As the original members gradually graduate, auditioning and a General Election to save the group from extinction always happen. However, a new noontime show, such as Tahanang Pinakamasaya or Eat Bulaga, would be needed to help the group stay financially afloat and to be relevant to the wider reach as Ignacia could not recover financially even if they shifted as a content provider.
An elevated TikToClock (from the first mini-case) could also be considered to explore new opportunities.
Will I have to wait until 2028 to unravel the answers? What content case involving a leap of faith would you like to discuss — or something else?
If you have a follow-up to one of the previous posts, a new idea for a Turf post or something timely to write this March, please fill out this Tally form. (P.S. Make sure it sounds sensible.)
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- Except for those years divisible by 100, unless those years are divisible by 400 ↩︎
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