Freedom and responsibility in the age of cyber shows

MARTIN Escudero in “Tanods”

TV5 has taken the digital plunge—producing entertainment programs exclusively for the Internet. Last year, the TV network launched Digital 5, rebranded recently as D5 Studio.

Producing content for the worldwide web has its perks and perils, foremost of which is its exemption from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

“We practice self-regulation,” explained Lloyd Manaloto, vice president and head of D5 Studio. “The Internet has its own rules. Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook have their own guidelines, too. Also, we have a brand to protect.”

D5 Studio content can be viewed on its website (d5.studio), but some shows are shared on Facebook, said Manaloto.

Eugenio “Toto” Villareal, chair of the MTRCB, told the Inquirer: “If [a program] appears on the Internet, we need legislation so that we can exercise jurisdiction. The Internet is sui generis [in a class of its own].”

With greater freedom comes bigger responsibilities, especially since D5 seeks to target the youth market.

Manaloto noted that “a lot of content on free TV is geared toward an older audience. Many young people turn to the web, particularly sites like YouTube, for their entertainment needs.”

In doing its research, the D5 Studio team has discovered that horror, comedy and romance are genres that the youth readily respond to. As such, D5 Studio created “Forever Sucks,” which headlines Jasmine Curtis-Smith as a 170-year-old vampire who works as a call center agent.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith with JC Santos in “Forever Sucks”

Edgier programming

Since D5 Studio is afforded a wider berth compared to free TV, its creatives can come up with “edgier, more innovative” programming, said Manaloto.

It has 10 titles so far—including potential scandal magnets like “Good Times With Mo,” a chat show hosted by shock jock Mo Twister, and “Jinrilationships,” an advice program anchored by Korean sexy star Jinri Park.

Other titles include comedy shows like “Tanods” (topbilled by Martin Escudero and Jun Sabayton) and “Kwentong Barbero” and music programs like “Spinnr Shows,” “Rock U” and “Bolero Rap Battles” (with Loonie).

Chot Reyes, president of Media5 (TV5’s marketing arm), pointed out: “Our goal is to create content that is current, relatable and relevant to the audience we want to talk to.”

Reyes clarified that “D5 is not only focusing on millennials… we also have shows that cater to adults.”

D5 Studio whipped up shows for moms (“The Motherhood”) and pet lovers (“Woofcam”), a Do-It-Yourself tips program hosted by hunky models (“Hot Hacks”) and a puppet show featuring “Barbie and Ken”—like dolls interacting with guest stars like Japanese adult video performer Maria Ozawa (“Office Dramalala”).

D5 Studio is likewise courting the largely untapped gaming community with the GG Network.

“Youth culture is into gaming and e-sports, as well,” Manaloto remarked.

Reyes asserted: “The [online video game] Dota world championship attracted a bigger audience than basketball and football events in the United States.”