On Monday’s (July 29) episode of It’s Showtime, Vice Ganda said that the Idol Philippines franchise is the best in Asia.
Just right after their opening number, Vice said Freemantle has praised Idol Philippines for being the best among all Idol franchises in Asia. However, there is no official word or press release coming from Freemantle about it.
Idol Philippines concluded its first season last Sunday, July 28 with the crowning of its first champion Zephanie Dimaranan.
But while one of its judges claimed Idol Philippines is the best in Asia, several controversies and criticisms were thrown at the show even prior to its pilot.
From the announcement of the judges which was highly criticized by netizens to the unflattering stage production during their live rounds, Idol Philippines can be described as one of the most bashed ABS-CBN’s franchise shows.
Criticisms
Before Idol Philippines had even started, people were criticizing the choice of judges.
Terrible selection of judges. Regine is the only one who is deserving.
— Rick Olivares (@rickyolivares) February 26, 2019
No doubt for Vice and Regine. But James and Moira? How come? #IdolPHJudgesReveal
— S A R A H 👑 (@sarahgforever25) February 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/jannus193/status/1100421755078873088
Aside from the judges, the stage production was also criticized by netizens and viewers for being small and unflattering compared to other Idol franchises abroad.
However, Idol Philippines management insisted that Freemantle, the franchise owner, was satisfied and amazed with the Philippine production.
Poor stage production ABS CBN. Cost cutting na ba for shutdown 2020? #IdolPHLive
— Kuya Will (@AltKuyaWill) June 29, 2019
The stage is ssooooooo masikip.
Anyare??!!! I was expecting high pero nakaka disappoint. The sound and stage thing of ABS CBN is a joke #IdolPHLive— Manu (@Manubelo_) June 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/jmtaran/status/1144939488952475648
Nandito yung director ng x factor uk and britains got talent sa studio (fremantle consultant) Happy siya sa production value, bakit kayong kapwa pilipino hindi? #IdolPHLive
— Stiffany Tippy Adanza (@TPAdanza) June 29, 2019
Ratings
Meanwhile, when it comes to ratings, it’s hard to determine which edition fared better because of the changes in measurement used by TV ratings providers. Idol Philippines‘ predecessors Philippine Idol and Pinoy Idol used to get household ratings while currently AGB provides People ratings.
However, according to AGB Nielsen, Philippine Idol registered a rating of 7.7% for Mega Manila Households on its pilot episode, 8.6% lower than Pinoy Idol which scored 26.3% on its premiere.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN’s Idol Philippines registered 12.7% in AGB’s NUTAM People survey.
For the finale ratings, Pinoy Idol had 28% Household ratings, while no ratings have been released yet for July 28, 2019 ,by AGB during the finale of Idol Philippines.
