Despite having its broadcast franchise denied by lawmakers, ABS-CBN still plans to release new teleseryes – including a much-awaited one starring top love team Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

ABS-CBN head of TV entertainment Laurenti Dyogi assured viewers in a vlog that they could expect the as-yet untitled KathNiel teleserye this year, as well as new shows like Cara y Cruz starring Julia Barretto, and the upcoming Walang Hanggang Paalam starring Angelica Panganiban and Paulo Avelino, set to premiere on September 28.

“Kahit may pandemya at wala kaming franchise for free TV, hindi naman po kami tuumigil sa pagggawa ng mga programa (Despite the pandemic and the lack of a broadcast franchise, we never stopped producing programs),” Dyogi said.

He said that it was more expensive to produce programs now because of the safety protocols in place, and also noted that the network’s income has decreased because they were no longer broadcasting on free TV.

But Dyogi stressed that the network was committed to bringing entertainment to viewers, especially in these hard times.

“At gusto rin ho namin makatulong sa ekonomiya, kaya po kailangan namin magproduce ng programa, mabibigyan po natin ng hanapbuhay ang ating mga manggagawa at ating mga artista (We also want to help the economy, so we need to produce programs to give livelihood to our workers and talents).”

He said that many workers and talents agreed to pay cuts so they could continue making shows.

Aside from launching new shows, the network, which resumed production in June, would also release new episodes of ongoing teleseryes such as Ang Probinsyano, A Soldier’s Heart, and the newly-premiered Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin.

Public service programs like Angel Locsin’s Iba ‘Yan and Judy Ann Santos’ Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan?, which were launched during quarantine, would also be seeing new episodes.

Variety shows It’s Showtime and ASAP Natin ‘To have also resumed live shows, while observing safety protocols.

ABS-CBN music and film go digital

Dyogi also gave an update on the network’s upcoming music and film projects – which would go mostly digital as live shows, tours, and cinemas remain banned.

Virtual concerts in the pipeline included MYX Presents: Ebe Dancel Digital Concert on September 18, and APOLLO: A Daniel Padilla Digital Experience on October 11.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Films was working on a Hello Stranger movie – a spin-off of hit the BL web series starring Tony Labrusca and JC Alcantara, as well as the visual podcast Listen to Love: The Four Bad Boys and Me, led by Maymay Entrata.

Other upcoming projects of ABS-CBN Films and Star Cinema included Angelica Panganiban’s talk show Ask Angelica, the third installment of Vice Ganda’s MMFF entry Praybeyt Benjamin, a prequel to the hit movie Four Sisters and a Wedding, Coco Martin and Angelica’s For the Love of Money, and a horror movie starring Kim Chiu, JM De Guzman, and Tony Labrusca.

A teen series starring Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano was also on the lineup, and would premiere as an original series under iWantTFC.

Without its flagship channel, which went off air in May, ABS-CBN has been airing shows via Kapamilya Online Live, which streams for free on YouTube and Facebook. Select ABS-CBN shows are also available on cable TV via The Kapamilya Channel, and online via streaming platform iWantTFC.

The media giant has been off-air for over 4 months now, following a cease-and-desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) after the network’s congressional franchise expired.

Their bid for a new franchise was rejected by lawmakers on July 10, forcing the company to lay off thousands of employees and workers in August. – Rappler.com