After 70 congressmen denied the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, the network’s talent management arm Star Magic revealed that it is in talks with rival TV5 and GMA-7 stations to find projects for their roster of actors.
And as ABS-CBN has improved its presence online, Star Magic head and director Johnny Manahan shared how their artists are navigating digital space in an interview with Rappler.
“Our artists had already been exploring opportunities in digital space. With the rejection of the franchise, cable and cyberspace became the only venues for network content.”
He also shared the impact of the franchise denial on advertisements.
“Almost immediately, instantaneously, advertising revenues began to dry up, projects canceled, contracts suspended. And with that, we began to look elsewhere for opportunities for our artists. Talks are currently underway with contacts from Channel 5 (TV5) and Channel 7 (GMA 7),” he added.
Because of the advertising revenues drying up, Mr. M said that the artist is free to go where ever they want like a ‘gypsies’.
“Our artists, once shackled to Channel 2, are now free to go where the work is. Now, truly, they are like gypsies.”
Because of this, should Kapuso stars feel threatened by a possible wave of Kapamilya stars coming to the network?
In Butch Francisco’s article, he said that an ‘invasion of ABS-CBN talents’ would prove to be a problem for GMA artists and this should not be taken lightly.
“There are obviously more job opportunities open to displaced ABS-CBN people in TV5 since the Kapatid network doesn’t really have a stable of on-cam talents. Even the network owner, Manny Pangilinan, already said that he would accommodate as many talents as possible from ABS-CBN – both on-cam and those behind the scenes.”
While the artists might land jobs at other networks, Star Magic is still guiding its talents and managing their careers.
“We have been talking to our artists via Zoom to reassure them of our unwavering dedication to their professional and personal lives.”
Mr. M reassured that ABS-CBN may be gone, for now, but Star Magic will always be around to help them along the way.
“We are not going the way of the franchise: down the toilet. Never to be seen again. Although depleted, Star Magic will still be around.”
