New digital channels with ‘black box’
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Since the launch of its groundbreaking digital TV service on Wednesday, broadcast network ABS-CBN’s four new channels have been airing new programs “based on a content research study recently conducted to determine the kind of shows most appealing to the majority of viewers,” said Leng Raymundo, head of program acquisition and international sales distribution.
Upon installation
Raymundo pointed out that, upon installation of ABS-CBN TV Plus on any television set, viewers will have access to four more exclusive free-to-air channels—CineMo, Yey, Knowledge Channel and DZMM TeleRadyo—“on top of what we’ve been offering, namely ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Sports+Action.”
Raymundo told the Inquirer that, as a result of the research, “CineMo Channel is skewed toward action and comedy, both local and foreign.” Specifically, she said, viewers will get to watch movies produced by Regal Entertainment and Seiko Films on CineMo.
Action, comedy kings
Also to be made available are films from the libraries of the late Filipino icons Fernando Poe Jr. and Dolphy, as well as features headlined by Rudy Fernandez, Robin Padilla, Lito Lapid and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
“We will likewise offer Asian action movies, such as Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan’s starrers,” Raymundo said. “We will have Korean and Taiwanese series. We are currently working on making sure that screenings of these programs and movies will be well-coordinated with their screenings on free TV and cable, as well in theaters.”
ABS-CBN TV Plus, more popularly known as the “mahiwagang black box,” has been available commercially since the network’s ceremonial switchover from analog to digital on Feb. 11, said Chinky Alcedo, digital terrestrial television head. The ceremony was attended by ABS-CBN chair Gabby Lopez, president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio and Access Group head Carlo Katigbak.
CineMo is an all-day movie channel. Yey offers a combination of action, fun and adventure shows, and “edutainment” programs for children. Knowledge Channel provides curriculum-based programs and content for primary and secondary school students. DZMM TeleRadyo offers live-broadcast news, information, commentary, and public service programs from dzMM Radyo Patrol Sais Trenta.
Dubbed in Filipino
CineMo begins broadcast at 6 a.m. and signs off at 1 a.m. the next day, according to March Ventosa, head of Narrowcast Group and DTT Channels. “On prime time, it will have an FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr.) block once a week, and a foreign movie block, also once a week,” Ventosa pointed out. “We will retain at least one film in English. The others, especially the Chinese movies, will be dubbed in Filipino.”
Ventosa reported that Yey Channel will feature Japanese anime series, as well as Nickelodeon shows like “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Dora the Explorer.” He added, “There will be lots of shows familiar to audience, like ‘Power Rangers,’ those that we’ve started airing on Channel 2.”
In the morning, Yey will offer “softer” animated programs or the “more wholesome ones,” like “Princess Sarah” and other classics, said Ventosa. “Late mornings, there’s the Nickelodeon block. In the afternoon, we will see action series like ‘Naruto.’ The choices are familiar to young viewers, both male and female.”
ABS-CBN TV Plus will be provided in areas where digital signal transmission is available, such as, initially, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Benguet, and Metro Cebu. It will likewise be available in Davao, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo within the year, said Katigbak.
