GMA’s Own 5:00 P.M. Regional Programming Issue

August 29, 2017

ABS-CBN is not the only major television network with a regional programming problem.

Archrival GMA also endures its fair share of issues when it comes to regional programs. Similar to what ABS-CBN and IBC experiences, GMA’s biggest concern is at the 5:00 p.m. slot where regional news programs are aired in the provinces in lieu of shows relayed straight from Metro Manila.

Just last Monday, GMA’s Mindanao-based channels began to air a new regional newscast titled One Mindanao. The program is anchored by longtime Mindanao-based GMA anchors Tek Ocampo, Sarah Hilomen-Velasco and Real Soroche, and is aired on weekdays at 5:00 p.m.

Like Balitang Amianan (Dagupan and Ilocos) and Balitang Bisdak (Cebu), One Mindanao preempts the first 30-40 minutes of Wowowin, the GMA afternoon game show hosted by Willie Revillame. But as far as GMA is concerned, this was just a minor inconvenience.

Consider the following factors:


 * 1) Most GMA regional networks are now mere relay outlets following the closure of most stations and the layoff of its employees.
 * 2) Wowowin is still aired after the newscasts, thus no need to reair the show the following morning.
 * 3) Wowowin more often than not beats an ABS-CBN Koreanovela and IBC Koreanovela (only a few relay areas receive such programs due to regional TV Patrol and Express Balita) in the ratings game regardless of either Kantar or AGB Nielsen.

With that in mind, it was clear to GMA that they are undeterred about the overall programming disparity between Greater Manila Area and regional areas. However, with the entry of One Mindanao in the Mindanao area, they now have every reason to worry since ‘Wowowin”s audience will be reduced significantly.

Issues among ABS-CBN, GMA and IBC’s regional network programs are in dire need of a resolution. The 5:00 p.m. slot, usually a haven for regional networks to produce their newscasts, is one example of what each network needs to do to make things all the more parallel.

But since GMA currently has less regional stations than ABS-CBN and IBC, their own concern may be revisited once they decide to resuscitate some of these stations. For now, GMA can only hope that their regional networks’ standing will be improved with each step.