TV5’s new President and CEO Jane Jimenez-Basas has confirmed that the network is gearing up for the return of its entertainment department.
In 2015, TV5 let go of its entertainment division to concentrate on sports and also to stop the huge revenue losses incurred by the entertainment department.
Prior to the shutdown of its entertainment department, TV5 had been doing a good job in making itself a viable competitor against the two giant networks of ABS-CBN and GMA.
From the era of Tony Cojuanco’s ABC5, the network has produced top rating contents that posed threats to either ABS-CBN and GMA.
Some of the most notable entertainment shows during that were Shall We Dance, Sing Galing, Everybody Hapi, Ispup, Wow Mali, Philippine Idol, The Price is Right, and some others.
In 2010, ABC5 revamped into TV5 with the new branding as Kapatid Network under the group of Manny V. Pangilinan.
TV5’s entertainment division continued to challenge the competition as a good 3rd player. TV5’s memorable shows during those times include Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Face to Face, Juicy, Paparazzi, Talentadong Pinoy, Iskul Bukol, The Jose and Wally Show starring Vic Sotto, Loko Moko, and My Darling Aswang among others.
The channel’s entertainment division was further enhanced with the entry of Wilma Galvante as Entertainment Head in 2012. During her time in TV5, she was able to produce shows like Artista Academy, Wattpad Presents, Amazing Race Philippines, Kanta Pilipinas, and Rising Stars Philippines.
Now that they are bringing back their entertainment arm, can they be rivals to ABS-CBN and to GMA again?