NETWORK WAR HEATS UP!

Dolphy, Aga Muhlach, Lorna Tolentino, Maricel Soriano, Willie Revillame, What do these stars have in common? They have severed their long relationship with ABS-CBN and embarked on a new career path with TV5. Some are calling this exodus a big loss for the Kapamilya network but is it really?

There's no question that Willie's exit from ABS-CBN hurt the network. Their noontime slot is still languishing after "Wowowee" went off the air and Willie's early evening show is a big winner on TV5. However, the rest of the transferees as well as recent recruits like Eddie Garcia, Susan Roces and Nora Aunor are what I consider…well, the politically correct terms for them would be more experienced, seasoned, veterans. Dolphy, Eddie, Susan and Nora are considered not just veterans but icons of the entertainment industry.

The younger crop, who may be considered tomorrow's probable icons, like John Lloyd Cruz, KC Concepcion, Sarah Geronimo, GMA'7s' Richard Gutierrez, Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes and other stars in their 20s and 30s have so far remained loyal to their mother networks.

The questions is: will the TV audience composed mostly of viewers below 30 years old choose to watch Dolphy over John Lloyd or Lorna over KC? Nora will definitely attract Noranians and knowledgeable viewers who admire her acting talent. Will the young members of the audience who are not familiar with Nora abandon their youthful idols from ABS and GMA? Meanwhile, they seem to have rendered their decision as far as the Diamond Star is concerned. There's been no word about a new show since Maricel's drama anthology ended last year.

TV5 is miles ahead in terms of acting talent. Lorna, Nora and Eddie will, hands down, outshine the young stars of the Kapamilya and Kapuso networks. It remains to be seen whether great acting will result in high ratings. Winning the ratings game is important to the Number One Kapatid, Manny Pangilinan, who has been spending big bucks to get big names to his stable. Without high ratings, advertisers will not buy into TV 5's shows and without commercials. MVP's huge expenditures will only result in huge losses for the network.

So far, the Kapatid network's prize catch has to be Aga Muhlach. Given the right vehicle, he can command a huge following in his new home. So I am wondering why Aga is not appearing in a rom com and instead is hosting a documentary that is not even well-conceived. His inaugural show had to do with dinosaurs and he really didn't do much work in the premiere episode. Is he trying to compete with Bong Revilla who has a similar show on GMA?

I'm sure MVP and his bright boys realize that for their network to score with the young audience, they have to attract the younger performers from the two major networks. The present crop of young stars on TV5 like Alex Gonzaga, Danita Paner and Jasmine Curtis Smith have not yet demonstrated their drawing power. There's talk that Sarah Geronimo is being targeted and the network is trying to use Viva's Boss Vic, who is Sarah's manager, to convince his ward to make the switch. If they accomplish that, I would consider that a major accomplishment for Sarah is a certified audience drawer. I'm also quite certain that ABS-CBN is moving heaven and earth to keep not just Sarah but their other precious young talents.

If TV5 does succeed in luring the Kapamilya network's major young stars, it only goes to prove that "what goes around comes around." 

BY: Ed Sicam