GMA Network is turning the tide in favor of more original material – meaning homegrown programs – at the start of its mid-year programming in June.
GMA Marketing President Lizelle Maralag said the ratio between local and foreign-inspired material to be telecast on the network in the second half of the year shall be 60-40.
Maralag’s announcement was confirmed by production executive Wilma Galvante, who said the network is launching an exciting line-up of original shows, a merry mix of drama, fantaserye, reality, and comedy. Including the shows that have premiered recently, there are about 20 new programs in the grid. Also counted are several new shows on sister station QTV-11.
Maralag admitted the revamp – she called it reinvention – is in the face of fierce competition from other networks. Asked what she thought of TV5 as a possible third major player, Galvante acknowledged there is always competition and that’s what makes TV exciting.
The two women agreed that while GMA will be limiting its fantaseryes to a minimum, they are also not abandoning the format. Galvante said Filipino audiences go for visual impact, which they get from outlandish costumes inspired by birds and animals.
In fact, a few of the network’s new shows set to unveil soon are still fantasy-driven. Among these are “Sultana” (to star Marian Rivera), “Captain Barbell” (Richard Gutierrez), “Odessa” (Rhian Ramos), and “Pilyang Kerubin.” In the house of drama, there are “Endless Love” (Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera) and “Sa Piling Mo.”
GMA’s new shows were unveiled at the network’s trade party held Thursday evening at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
The vibrant, festive mood of “Party Pilipinas,” powered by all that singing and dancing made more energetic by a predominantly young cast, set the tone for the trade party, the network’s first this year.
The launch of the network’s new programs from both the entertainment and news and current affairs department had been timed with the taping of the Sunday noontime variety show, which premiered only two weeks back.
