ABS-CBN’s big stars will have shows on TV 5 soon

More Kapamilya stars will be appearing on TV 5 after Brightlight Productions secured blocktimer slots from the Kapatid network.

Blocktiming, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), is the “media practice of buying ‘blocks’ of air time to produce programs independent of networks and stations.” To make a profit, the blocktimer sells commercial spots to sponsors and advertisers.

According to ABS-CBN, former Negros Occidental representative and Brightlight Productions President and CEO Albee Benitez announced to advertisers a list of shows that will be headlined by ABS-CBN stars.

The line-up of new TV shows are: 

• Laugh Out Loud, a noontime show to be hosted by Billy Crawford, Alex Gonzaga, K Brosas, and Wacky Kiray and produced by Johnny Manahan;
• Rate Korina, hosted by Korina Sanchez;
• Oh My Dad, a sitcom starring Ian Veneracion and Dimples Romana, Sue Ramirez, Ariel Urieta, and Gloria Diaz, to be directed by Jeffrey Jeturian;
• Sunday Noontime Variety Show hosted by Catriona Gray and Piolo Pascual, also under Johnny Manahan;
• I Got You, a romantic drama series starring Beauty Gonzales, RK Bagatsing, and Yen Santos to be directed by Dan Villegas; and
• Sunday Kada Kada Sunday, to be directed by Edgar Mortiz

A number of ABS-CBN stars have already appeared on TV 5’s shows. Ria Atayde and Pokwang are currently on Chika Besh, a morning show which they co-host with GMA 7 star Pauleen Luna. Other actors have also guests on shows on GMA 7.

In July, TV 5 chairman Manny Pangilinan said that the network was ready to absorb some of ABS-CBN’s employees and stars after the network was denied a new legislative franchise by Congress.

ABS-CBN signed off on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against the network because its legislative franchise expired.

On July 10, the House Committee on Legislative Franchise denied the network a new franchise, forcing the company to eventually retrench many of its 11,000 employees. 

Since its closure, ABS-CBN has focused on its digital and cable shows, and announced that they are still working on a new line up of programs. – Rappler.com