The Case of the Not So Happy Network

While rival Philippine television networks ABS-CBN and GMA Network continue to claim ratings dominance over each other based on data from their respective ratings providers, the happy network TV5 became the preferred network for male Filipino viewers and the younger audience as well based on ratings data released for the past two years until now. Despite this little achievement for channel 5 in the Philippines, many Filipino viewers are not happy and yet satisfied over the network's questionable programming formula that has slowly becoming a disappointment over the years since business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan took over in 2010.


Well, TV5 was once known for its innovative and engaging programming such as the full coverage of the PBA and the romantic comedy drama anthology Wattpad Presents which is also a weekly adaptation of some of Wattpad's popular stories made by its Filipino users. But now it seems that the happy network is on the brink of its own financial and identity crisis as what was once an alternative network for Filipino viewers who want to break away from watching heavy dramas on television becomes a broken network. Not even the network's recent partnership with Viva Entertainment is not enough to fulfill its own promise of improvement which is supposed to be realized in the next few years but didn't come to pass.

I think that there are many viewers who still want to watch their own favorite shows on TV5, especially those who want more grit and action in the upcoming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament - Manila Leg next week. In the end, what would the next generation of Filipino viewers prefer to watch on the broken TV5? Filipino-dubbed foreign TV shows and movies, documentary shows from the National Geographic Channel in the US, and home shopping blocks are taking channel 5 back to its old suffering years before the start of the Shake era which has been the most successful part of the network's history until now.

Based on what I have seen and witnessed, it seems that the broken network has become a sad and confused one that is trying to make efforts to offer programs that cater to what their viewers want for their own needs, but it seems that would remain a broken dream. If MVP can somehow figure out a way to bring the network to a whole new level of its own, it is up to the viewers whether they can satisfy with what it offers in the future than being too late. Good luck, broken TV5!!