December 29, 2015
Another year is about to end. But before the calendar flips to 2016, here is a look back at the year that was in television and radio. This article looks back at the 10 best moments in Philippine television this year.
AlDub Invades Eat Bulaga and the World
The now-popular Kalyeserye segment of Eat Bulaga began on July 16, as a then-unknown Maine Mendoza (under the Yaya Dub character) caught the eye of rising Kapuso star Alden Richards. Since then, AlDub grew into a social media phenomenon, and it culminated into a slew of advertisements, magazine covers, a supporting role in My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore, and a sold-out Sa Tamang Panahon live episode at the Philippine Arena.
While the popularity of AlDub had some negative effects on GMA and its rivals, there is no denying that the duo became the key ingredient that introduced Eat Bulaga into a new generation. The 36-year-old variety show is now enjoying its best ratings in years, thanks largely to AlDub.
LizQuen, KathNiel and JaDine Dominate Primetime Ratings
While AlDub dominated noontime, primetime belonged to ABS-CBN’s three hottest love teams. The year began with LizQuen (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil) of Forevermore continuing their winning run, before handing it over to KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla) of Pangako Sa ‘Yo, and JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre) of On the Wings of Love.
The success of LizQuen, KathNiel and JaDine were crucial in Primetime Bida’s thorough domination of Telebabad in the national ratings. Although GMA responded with BiGuel (Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix) in Once Upon a Kiss, and GabRu (Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid) of Let the Love Begin, they were unable to make an impact. As for IBC-13, on the other end, the year began with ShaGab (Shanne Velasco and Gab Bayan) in the teleserye adaptation of Taiwanovela Hayate the Combat Butler, SueJur (Sue Ramirez and Aljur Abrenica) and YanDre (Yassi Pressman and Andre Paras) in Love of My Life.
A New Sunday Afternoon Habit
August 9 saw a new rival for the 20-year-old ASAP and the youth-oriented variety show Hey it's Fans Day!, but they did not expect it to be different. In came Sunday PinaSaya, GMA’s newest variety show that emphasized more on comedy than musical performances.
The presence of Eat Bulaga hosts Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Alden RicRhards (with Maine Mendoza later added) helped Sunday PinaSaya defeat ASAP and Hey it's Fans Day! on a consistent basis. In response, ABS-CBN moved Banana Split: Extra Scoop to Sunday afternoons as Banana Sundae, but it still failed to reverse the trend.
Willie Revillame Returns
Speaking of Sunday afternoons, May 10 saw the return of Willie Revillame to the small screen with Wowowin. Initially airing every mid-Sunday afternoons, it later moved to an earlier timeslot after Sunday PinaSaya, where it has since flourished.
Even though Willie faced an arrest warrant over Willing Willie macho dancer kid case, this didn’t stop him from receiving accolades for Wowowin. The rebirth of the controversial host was capped off with a pair of awards for best game show and host in the PMPC Star Awards.
Wattpad Presents Turns 1
The teleserye dominance of ABS-CBN, GMA and IBC did not deter TV5. Following the cancellation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in early November, Wattpad Presents became the network’s longest-running active entertainment program, having been on the air for over a year.
Under-appreciated by most television viewers, Wattpad Presents was able to make it over a year thanks to an endless supply of new stories and a dedicated fanbase. It is considered a perfect alternative to the long and dragging storylines that a teleserye usually provides.
9TV Reverted As RPN-9
On June 1, 9TV reverted back into its original game as RPN-9 as the remaining corporate name. New shows are premiered is the game show Kasama, Break the Bank. foreign canned programs in the U.S. and Mexican telenovelas continue to dominate the weeknight primetime block; and the ASEAN Basketball League continue to reign on primetime; and retaining the local shows and Hollywood movies (Saturday Night Blockbusters and Sunday's Big Event) on weekends.
ABS-CBN Goes Digital and HD
February 11 saw the much-awaited launch of ABS-CBN TVPlus, the first-ever digital terrestrial television service in the country. The so-called ‘mahiwagang black box’ quickly became popular, selling nearly a million units.
Then on October 3, ABS-CBN HD was launched, bringing virtually every program on Channel 2 into crystal clear high definition. And finally, ABS-CBN announced that they will replace Balls HD with ABS-CBN Sports+Action HD starting January 1, ending a six-year run for the network’s first-ever HD channel.
Kapamilya Gold Reloaded
Teleseryes made their return to Kapamilya Gold on January 13, as Flordeliza and Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita premiered on the afternoon block. This was followed by four other series: Doble Kara, All of Me, Walang Iwanan and And I Love You So.
Since then, the battle between Kapamilya Gold, Afternoon Prime and HapoNation dramas became a tight one, both in ratings and momentum. However, it didn’t stop The Half-Sisters from achieving the one-year milestone in June.
Primetime Fantaserye (IBC-13)
The fantaserye genre for 8 p.m. as part of IBC-13's primetime block Primetime Ang Dating. It made the fantaseryes like Janella: A Teen Princess, Voltron Man and recently, the superserye remake of 1988 film Kumander Bawang.
NCAA Returns to Channel 23; UAAP Extended
After a fruitless three-year tenure with Sports5, the NCAA returned to ABS-CBN Sports in late June. The renewed partnership featured new innovations, such as social media interaction and high-definition broadcasts.
ABS-CBN Sports also signed a fresh five-year deal with the UAAP and remained in PTV-4, following another successful season. The network now plans to extend its coverage to other UAAP tournaments, in addition to full coverage of men’s basketball and women’s volleyball. As the UAAP is boosting PTV in the ratings game.
The Big Two-0
November 28 saw Bubble Gang celebrate its 20th anniversary with a documentary special. The 20-year-old gag show continues to defy time, maintaining its status as a Friday night habit despite an evolving cast of talents and advancements in technology.
Also reaching its 20th year is ‘Saksi’, the second longest-running active free TV newscast in the country. So is ASAP and Hey it's Fans Day!, who despite fading ratings with the entry of Sunday PinaSaya, remains a fixture on Sunday noontime.
Janella, Jana Shine on Lunchtime
Following up the success of Be Careful with My Heart was a difficult task, but Janella Salvador and Jana Agoncillo proved that they were able to thrive with this challenge. Janella’s Oh My G and Jana’s Ningning flourished as one the country’s top-rated programs on weekdays, despite a stiff competitor in The Ryzza Mae Show.
In response, the TAPE-produced talk show starring Ryzza Mae Dizon was rebooted into a drama series as Princess in the Palace. However, the reformat did not produce the desired results. In August 3, it launching the noontime slot through the family drama Bagets Kids (a kiddie teleserye version of 1984 film Bagets under Viva Films).
2015 was another year to remember for television viewers. Although ABS-CBN continued to reign this year, GMA, IBC and TV5 enjoyed their own share of moments as well, and with digitization now underway, the preparation for a full-digitized television signal in the Philippines is on.
So what is in store for 2016? Find out as From the Tube continues to look at events and changes that shape Philippine media.