Rival networks no more: ABS-CBN exec Laurenti Dyogi says GMA is ‘number one station’
Laurenti Dyogi, ABS-CBN’s head of TV production. Images: FILE PHOTOS
Three years after being forced off the air in May 2020, Laurenti Dyogi confirmed that ABS-CBN is now operating as a “content creator” while GMA is currently the “number one station.”
Dyogi, ABS-CBN’s head of TV production, made the confirmation during an ambush interview with reporters, when he was asked about the supposed network wars between ABS-CBN and GMA for over two decades.
“For now, you need to understand that we’re not a network anymore because we don’t have a franchise. We’re a media company, we’re a content creator now. So, wherever we can bring our content with the biggest reach. And we have to recognize that GMA has the biggest reach right now because they’re the number one station,” he said.
The TV executive also thanked GMA network for “opening their doors,” as well as free-to-air channels A2Z and TV5 and OTT platforms for “keeping [ABS-CBN] alive” for the past three years.
“We’re very thankful to [GMA Network] for opening their doors to partner with us, the same way that A2Z has been with us from the start. And Channel 5, and all the other OTT platforms that have been collaborating with us, maraming maraming salamat (thank you very much). You keep us alive. We’ve been struggling for the past three years and sa awa ng Diyos, nandito pa rin kami (thanks to the Lord, we’re still here),” he said.
During the ambush interview, Dyogi was also asked about a photo of what appeared to be a meeting between ABS-CBN and GMA’s executives, which was posted by GMA’s vice president for program management Jose Mari Abacan last March 9.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@joeyabacan
“We’ve been collaborating naman with them, and I think the meeting yesterday was a good way for us to talk about future plans and talk about how else we can collaborate. It was a very pleasant meeting with [GMA’s Annette Gozon-Valdes, Joy Marcelo, and Joey Abacan]. So, natuwa kami. It was actually a bit of socials with some talk about business and clarifying some matters moving forward and we’re excited with our first collaboration,” he said.
When asked about the exact premiere date of “Unbreak My Heart,” the collaborative teleserye between ABS-CBN and GMA, Dyogi said that it would be released “soon” although GMA would be the one to announce the full details.
The upcoming series will be headlined by Jodi Sta. Maria, Joshua Garcia, Gabbi Garcia, and Richard Yap.
The executive was also asked if “Unbreak My Heart” would face off against an ABS-CBN series during its airing, to which Dyogi responded with, “I suppose so” before laughing.
“‘Diba ang saya? ABS-CBN lang ‘yung katapat na nakikita niyo kahit saan,” Dyogi added in jest. (Isn’t it nice? You would only see ABS-CBN’s shows as the rival anywhere else.) EDV
