- GMA Network has recently announced it’s upcoming action fantasy series “Victor Magtanggol”.
- It features one of the network’s biggest stars, Alden Richards in the title role.
- Will Alden Richard’s action fantasy series become the cure to GMA Network’s lackluster Primetime ratings?
The battle for supremacy over Primetime ratings between ABS-CBN and GMA Network continues as the latter introduces it’s latest card on their deck. After nine attempts to defeat ABS-CBN’s hit action-serye “Ang Probinsyano”, it seems like GMA Network is not giving up yet in topping over the long-running series as it launches it’s latest show “Victor Magtanggol”.
The action fantasy series features one of the network’s biggest stars, Alden Richards in the title role.
Formerly titled as “Mitho”, the series stars Janine Gutierrez, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, John Estrada, and Eric Quizon and will be directed by Dominic Zapata. It is set to premiere in July 2018 on the network’s Telebabad line up. The network hopes that this show will finally land them in the top spot over the undefeated Kapamilya action-serye starring Coco Martin. On the other hand, ABS-CBN’s action drama series “Ang Probinsyano” has been airing for more than 2 years already since September 28, 2015, for 5 seasons and a total of 600+ episodes.
Is Alden Richard’s action fantasy series cure the GMA Network’s lackluster Primetime ratings? Let us look back at the network’s previous shows that attempted to dethrone “Ang Probinsyano” off the Primetime’s top spot.
1. Marimar (Dates Aired: August 24, 2015 – January 8, 2016) Episodes: 100
This romance drama series stars Megan Young and Tom Rodriguez and directed by Dominic Zapata, Mark Dela Cruz and Lore Reyes. This marks the second Pinoy remake of the 1994 Mexican television series of the same title. Probably the network thought that it was a good idea to remake a show that they have remade already before a few years ago. Maybe they were hoping to get a hit the second time around. The story is a classic, universal theme that everyone loves : poor girl turning rich and getting revenge on all of those who messed up her life before. But it looks like it wasn’t always the case since this reboot did not click with the masses unlike the Marian Rivera starrer back in 2007.
Pilot: September 28, 2015
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (41.6%) versus Marimar (16.3%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (24.7%) versus Marimar (19.3%)
2. Little Nanay (Dates Aired: November 16, 2015 – March 23, 2016) Episodes: 93
This family drama series directed by Ricky Davao featured a star-studded cast led by Kris Bernal and Chlaui Malayao, together with Nora Aunor, Bembol Roco, Mark Herras, Juancho Trivino, Keempee de Leon, Gladys Reyes, Hiro Peralta, Eddie Garcia and Sunshine Dizon. It premiered on November 16, 2015 in the network’s Telebabad line up. Despite the powerhouse cast, the series failed to match up with ABS-CBN’s action serye when it comes to ratings.
Pilot: January 11, 2016
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (37.0%) versus Little Nanay (17.2%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (22.3%) versus Little Nanay (22.9%)
3. Poor Senorita (Dates Aired: March 28 – July 15, 2016) Episodes: 79
This comedy drama featuring Regine Velasquez in the title role premiered on March 28, 2016 on the network’s Telebabad line up replacing Little Nanay and worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV. It was directed by Dominic Zapata and also starred Mikael Daez, Sheena Halili, Kevin Santos, Valeen Montenegro, Jaya, Ervic Vijandre, Jillian Ward and Snooky Serna in supporting roles. Despite being the big drama series comeback of Regine after five years, the series wasn’t really a big hit.
Pilot: January 13, 2016
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (42.3%) versus Poor Senorita (16.6%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (22.4%) versus Poor Senorita (21.5%)
4. Encantadia (Dates Aired: July 18, 2016 – May 19, 2017) Episodes: 218
This much-hyped return of the beloved fantasy drama series that served as a reboot and the fourth television series in the Encantadia franchise featured a whole new cast led by Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez and Glaiza de Castro. Directed by Mark A. Reyes, it premiered on July 18, 2016 replacing Poor Señorita on the network’s Telebabad line up and worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV. To it’s credit, the series was well-received by viewers and critics and stayed strong despite the heavy competition, although it’s Four Sang’gres’ powers were still not enough to dethrone Cardo Dalisay off the top spot.
Pilot: July 18, 2016
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (42.4%) versus Encantadia (21.0%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (24.2%) versus Encantadia (26.1%)
5. Mulawin VS. Ravena (Dates Aired: May 22 – September 15, 2017) Episodes: 85
This fantasy drama series that serves as a sequel to the fantasy television series Mulawin (2004) and the film Mulawin: The Movie (2005) features original cast members Dennis Trillo and Miguel Tanfelix, together with new cast members Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe and Carla Abellana. in lead roles. Directed by Dominic Zapata and Don Michael Perez, it premiered on May 22, 2017 on the network’s Telebabad line up replacing Encantadia and worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV. Expectations were high on this one, since it’s predecessor,the Encantadia reboot, did quite a competition with “Ang Probinsyano”. Unfortunately, the series was shortlived after it failed to follow the success of Encantadia.
Pilot: May 22, 2017
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (41.1%) versus Mulawin VS. Ravena (22.5%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (12.7%) versus Mulawin VS. Ravena (12.2%)
6. Super Ma’am (Dates Aired: September 18, 2017 – January 26, 2018) Episodes: 95
This action fantasy series from Lord Alvin Madridejos and Albert Langitan stars Marian Rivera in the title role. The series premiered on September 18, 2017 on the network’s Telebabad line up replacing Mulawin vs. Ravena and occupying the timeslot of Alyas Robin Hood and aired worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV. The series ended on January 26, 2018 with a total of 95 episodes.
Pilot: September 18, 2017
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (43.2%) versus Super Ma’am (18.7%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (12.4%) versus Super Ma’am (9.5%)
7. Alyas Robin Hood 2 (Dates Aired: August 14, 2017 – November 24, 2017) Episodes: 75
Here we go again as Dingdong Dantes’ action drama series Alyas Robin Hood returns for a second season (I’m also asking why). Directed by Dominic Zapata, the series starred Andrea Torres, Ruru Madrid, Edu Manzano, Solenn Heussaff and Jaclyn Jose (she’s very busy these days). This season turned to be a bigger disappointment since it did not fared very well compared to the first season (with a total of 115 episodes) after it sadly concluded with just 75 episodes.
Pilot: August 14, 2017
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (39.8%) versus Alyas Robin Hood 2 (18.9%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (11.8%) versus Alyas Robin Hood 2 (10.7%)
8. Sherlock Jr. (Dates Aired: January 29 – April 27, 2018) Episodes: 63
This mystery crime drama directed by Rechie del Carmen stars Ruru Madrid in the title role, with Gabbi Garcia, Andre Paras and Ai-Ai delas Alas. It aired on January 29, 2018 on the network’s Telebabad line up replacing Super Ma’am and worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV. Basing on the disappointing number of episodes of this show, you’ll already have an idea how it fared with it’s ratings.
Pilot: January 29, 2018
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (40.2%) versus Sherlock Jr. (19.4%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (12.1%) versus Sherlock Jr. (11.4%)
9. The Cure (Dates Aired: April 30, 2018 – present) Episodes: On going
This thriller drama series from Mark A. Reyes stars Jennylyn Mercado and Tom Rodriguez, with LJ Reyes, Mark Herras, Jay Manalo, and Jaclyn Jose (again). The series premiered on April 30, 2018 replacing Sherlock Jr. on the network’s Telebabad line up and worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV. The series is already being rumored to get an early axe although the cast has been denying it until now. But basing on the ratings of the pilot, it’s not doing very well already.
Pilot: April 30, 2018
Kantar Media: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (41.2%) versus Sherlock Jr. (17.9%)
AGB Nielsen: FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (Missing) versus Sherlock Jr. (Missing)
FPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano” is already considered as one of the most-watched telenovela in the Philippines based on it’s ratings from Kantar Media National TV Ratings, with it’s pilot episode getting a rating of 41.6% in 2015, and it’s highest peak nationwide rating of 46.7% on its 92nd episode in 2016.
Do you think GMA Network’s upcoming action drama series featuring Alden Richards the bullet to end the reign of “Ang Probinsyano”? Can “Victor Magtanggol” finally defeat Cardo Dalisay once and for all?