RPN-9 Starts Developing Its Own Stable Of Talents

July 31, 2013

RPN-9 seems determined to resume producing and airing local variety programs. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was among the top-raters in the local TV industry, battling with GMA-7 and IBC-13. Its popularity started waning when the network was involved in the sequestration process as the government found that the station was owned by several of alleged Marcos cronies.

Since the time of former President Cory Aquino, RPN-9 has been operating as a government owned corporation following the sequestration. That setup somehow weakened the network. Thus, it was not able to go with the flow and continue its development.

Now, RPN-9 is almost non-existent to the consciousness of Philippine TV viewers. In the past decade, it was known for showing several popular canned shows from the US like Ally McBeal and Felicity. But this decade, it was almost totally gone from the viewers’ consciousness especially at the height of the network war between leaders ABS-CBN and GMA-7. RPN-9 is holding a talent search in an attempt to develop its own roster of homegrown talents for its upcoming revival.

Reviving RPN-9

Now, its president and CEO Robert T. Rivera has announced plans to revitalize and revive the once glorious TV network. RPN-9 is starting through developing its own stable of home-grown talents. It intends to do so through launching a nationwide talent search called Boses: Tinig P-Noy.

The singing contest is not aired over TV but it is being relayed through RPN-9’s 12 local radio stations that are scattered nationwide. Through this search, the network hopes it could discover and soon develop its own pool of Pinoy talents. With this, RPN-9 has disclosed its plans to produce and air a new variety show, which would start airing by the end of this year.

The contest should not be underestimated. The network is ready to give up to P1 million in cash prize to the talented winner. The big winner would also secure a talent and recording contract with the network.

Boses ng P-Noy

The singing contest stages an audition for duos and trios comprising of members aged 15 years old and above. The contest would have representatives from Center for Pop Music Philippines as among the judges. There would be weekly eliminations and monthly finals.

The first leg of the contest kicked off last June in Baguio City. The second leg was held in Cagayan de Oro City last July 27. There would be succeeding announcements about where the next venue of the contest would be.

RPN-9 is not new to talent searches. The network recalled that Nora Aunor came from them. Ang Bagong Kampeon, which discovered Regine Velasquez and other singers, used to air on the station. Eat Bulaga, another talent discoverer, also spent many years with RPN-9.

RPN-9 is currently operated by Solar Entertainment, which owns up to 34% of the new network. Far East Managers and Investors Inc holds the other 32% of the network. It is assumed that the rest is held by the government.