One year after their shutdown and subsequent franchise denial, ABS-CBN keeps getting better and bigger.
When ABS-CBN shut off its free TV operations on May 5, 2020, many have thought especially its detractors that it will be the end for the country’s largest network.
Naysayers rejoiced as the most-watched Network finally succumbs to the powers that be and finally closed down its programming on free TV.
But loyal Kapamilya viewers help buoyed the Network to what it is currently now.
Digital Presence.
A couple of months after their shutdown, ABS-CBN took refuge in digital media taking full advantage of it.
The Kapamilyas fully utilized its digital platform and introduced the Kapamilya Online Live on Youtube and facebook which Livestream ABS-CBN shows.
In October 2020, ABS-CBN then received recognition from YouTube for reaching the milestone of 30 million subscribers for the ABS-CBN Entertainment Youtube Channel, the first in the Philippines.
Currently, ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Youtube Channel has 33.8 million subscribers and was also awarded the most viewed YouTube channel in South East Asia and raked 43 billion views.
ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel on the other hand, also got hailed with a Diamond Creator Award in November 2020 after reaching the milestone of 11 million subscribers.
Currently, the YouTube channel has more than 12.1 million subscribers.
TV Collaboration[s].
When unscrupulous politicians thought that they can bury the Kapamilya network, they were wrong.
Their plan on breaking the network into pieces even benefitted the Network as they are now in every corner of every viewing platform.
In October 2020 the much-awaited return of the network to free TV happened with its collaboration with Zoe Broadcasting Network via the re-branded A2Z Channel 11.
ABS-CBN and Zoe forged a block time agreement which enabled several Kapamilya programs to go back to analog free TV which was followed by digital in November 2020.
While many thought that the A2Z collaboration was ABS-CBN’s only Ace for a comeback, many were surprised when ABS-CBN and TV5 entered into an agreement to air ASAP Natin To and FPJ Da King in January 2021.
The pandemic and first-ever drama production to brave and continue the battle, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin got aired on TV5, too.
And it didn’t end there as the partnership expanded to include the ABS-CBN primetime bida line-up in March 2021.
Currently, ASAP Natin To, FPJ Da King, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Huwag Kang Mangamba, Init sa Magdamag and Count Your Lucky Stars all aired simultaneously in A2Z Channel 11, TV5, and Kapamilya Channel.
Aside from TV collaborations, ABS-CBN shows were also made available on streaming platforms as ABS-CBN and WeTV iFlix announced their partnership.
FPJAP and Huwag Kang Mangamba started streaming on March 20, while Init sa Magdamag started on April 17.
Ratings Board.
Meanwhile, with the two channels simulcasting Kapamilya teleseryes on free TV and Kapamilya Channel on cable TV, ABS-CBN has slowly regained its spot on the TV rating board.
While they initially entered below the number 10 rank when they were only airing on A2Z (which only has two stations nationwide), the Network’s entry to TV5 boost its programs rating especially the primetime teleseryes.
From the former usual 12-18th spots, two ABS-CBN shows are now consistent in the 5th and 6th ranking–FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and Huwag Kang Mangamba.
Now, FPJAP consistently averages 9 to 10% ratings while Huwag Kang Mangamba averages 8 to 9%.
Its recent political-drama teleserye Init Sa Magdamag and Asianovela Count Your Lucky Star also are making a good showing in the rating leaderboard.
Even though there are still a lot of catching up, the strong placing in the top 6 of the most-watched weekday program nationwide is a good sign of victory for the bruised and embattled Network.
The Rise.
With what ABS-CBN has achieved in the past year that they are out of free TV and without franchise, except that they’ll move higher once they’ve completely come back. As song of Kelly Clarkson says, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’
Indeed they weren’t able to kill ABS-CBN but gave it life in many different forms instead.
ABS-CBN is on the rise and with its undeniable capabilities, it will again fly and soar high to continue its promise to be of service to the Filipino worldwide, offline and online.
Despite the challenges, the network went through–it refuses to give up. It is not about the pride of not giving up and accepting the reality that they lost their battle for a franchise.
Yes, they’ve lost, but not everything in winning will give anyone or a group of people the purpose to live. It is the passion that fuels every individual to pursue the commitment for the viewers, for the Filipino audience.
In this time of the pandemic, the bravery of these creative people also put their lives in the line of fire–fighting death amid the dangers of being infected by the invisible virus–COVID 19.
The pandemic is not something that would totally disarm their vocation, their passion to provide quality entertainment for the Filipino people here and abroad.
The Network knows that there is one greater force that can continue to complete the good work they started in the lives of every Filipino. There is this greater power that can topple any demon. They know how to retreat when faced with a certain force, but they also know how to advance with resolution and win the battle they choose. (Additional Texts by Jude Cartalaba)
