The Kapuso network had its most fruitful years in decades, and it was apparent in the number of top accolades it received in 2021.
The rivalry between ABS-CBN and GMA network didn’t take a back seat in 2021, even though the former lost its place among free TV competitors and the other practically reigned unopposed.
The Kapuso network had its biggest profit in years and maybe attributed to ABS-CBN’s shutdown.
The amount of improvement the Network pulled off can’t be overstated, either.
That said, even ABS-CBN pulled off some sort of a miracle by bringing home Station of the Year trophies from various award-giving bodies, a year after losing its free TV license.
ABS-CBN was once again honored as the Best TV Station at the 34th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Television held Sunday. https://t.co/ILwJAjxlnZ
— ABS-CBN PR (@ABSCBNpr) October 17, 2021
The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) declared ABS-CBN as TV Station of the Year in October 2021, besting out eight other finalists, all with valid legislative franchises, under the same category.
In the same year, digital magazine Village Pipol handed ABS-CBN another TV Station of the Year medal, beating [once] again its major rival, GMA network.
Ang ating ABS-CBN ang itinanghal na TV Station of the Year sa 2nd VP Choice Awards! Maraming salamat Village Pipol Magazine at mga Kapamilya sa inyong pagmamahal at pagkilala. Kayo ang aming liwanag at ligaya! #VPChoiceAwards2020 #2ndVPChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/a8Y2GDYii0
— ABS-CBN PR (@ABSCBNpr) March 10, 2021
Platinum Stallion Media had some major adjustments done to keep ABS-CBN in the running for some of the major awards, including the Best Digital Media Network award, which it unsurprisingly took home. TeleRadyo, also owned by ABS-CBN, on the other hand, won the Best Digital News Station award.
GMA Network practically checks all the boxes in 2021, as it dominated the local television with a viewership that is more than triple the closest contender and annual revenues that [practically] blow the fiscal roof for the network. Its overwhelming advantage over its former main rival (in free TV, at least) also reflects the number of TV Station of the Year recognitions GMA Network bagged last year.
Platinum Stallion Media handed its top trophy, Best TV Station, to GMA Network, ending ABS-CBN’s more than five-year streak. GMA Regional was also named the Best Regional Network of the year.
NORTHERN LUZON — GMA Regional TV, kinilala sa ika-limang pagkakataon bilang 'Best Regional TV Network' sa Platinum Stallion Media Awards 2021. (via #BalitangAmianan) @GMARegionalTV
#LocalNewsMattershttps://t.co/iF1avWPcy6— GMA Regional TV News (@GMARTVNews) December 1, 2021
During LionhearTV’s 7th RAWR Awards in December, the Kapuso network bagged the biggest haul of trophies for a free TV network. It included the TV Station of the Year award, which ABS-CBN has won for the past seven years.
Most academe-based award-giving bodies have skipped awarding ceremonies this year due to the pandemic. ABS-CBN’s absence in the free TV game, GMA network has the upper hand to take home the most awards.
That trend may likely continue for years to come or until ABS-CBN earns a new franchise, which may or may not depend on who sits at the Malacañang after the May 2020 election.