It seems competition on television is forking with news becoming the new battleground. With a free TV channel converted into a news channel and gaining a foothold in the ratings game on the newsfront and the cable news channel’s efforts to maintain its leadership on the satellite block, GMA News TV, sister channel of leading TV station GMA 7, is beefing up its morning block starting today.
Thank God, the Kapuso network has realized that the channel can’t be a hybrid for too long and has decided to slowly convert it into a real news TV channel before CNN Philippines overtake them in the competition.
So, GMA News TV tapped the network’s flagship radio station DZBB to revamp its morning programming and put on board four of today’s most listened to morning radio programs on the block as Dobol B Sa News TV.
News headlines, weather bulletins, traffic reports, public service announcements, and entertainment tidbits heard on DZBB is now broadcast simultaneously with GMA News TV Channel 11 from 6 to 11 a.m., Monday to Friday.
Leading the personalities in Dobol B Sa News TV are Mike Enriquez and Arnold Clavio with Joel Reyes Zobel and Ali Sotto. Mike delivers the latest news in the morning via Saksi sa Dobol B. He is joined later at 7 a.m. by Joel in Super Balita sa Umaga Nationwide. Together they deliver the biggest news stories and latest news updates.
Meanwhile, the morning banter of Mike, Arnold, and Ali makes its TV debut in Sino? as the fun continues when the three give commentary on the day’s news through the musical Jeng-Jeng and Balitawit. Afterwards, they discuss the issues that made it to the news that day in Dobol A Sa Dobol B.
Responding to the ever-changing needs of the viewing public, News To Go gives viewers a rundown of the latest breaking news and trending online topics come 11 a.m. with Howie Severino and Kara David, which is followed by Balitanghali with Connie Sison and Raffy Tima.
Now, GMA News TV should start rethinking what to do with their afternoon and evening blocks to be true to its nomenclature. Otherwise it will remain a hybrid while its competitors both on free TV and cable advance and be the real news stations in the local broadcasting industry.
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Kapamilya star Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo proves that having a hectic schedule and pursuing varied interests can’t stop her from spending time with her family as Friday nights are blocked off for family TV time.
“We bond a lot in front of the TV, especially when it’s Friday night because the kids don’t have class(es) the next day and they don’t have tutorials. They are allowed to sleep a little bit late and enjoy what they want to watch as long as Ryan Agoncillo and I are with them,” the newest SKYdirect ambassador explained.
As a mom, Judy Ann believes that watching television together plays an important role in building stronger family relationships. She even reveals that she and Ryan try to answer their children’s questions honestly and accurately whenever they watch TV.
“The kids are very open to us when it comes to asking questions when we watch TV. When they see something that they don’t understand, they ask questions and we, as parents have to answer them honestly and accurately. We love that they ask us questions because the children are honest and open and we discover their interests, so it helps us determine what programs to encourage them to watch,” Judy Ann added.
Among the TV shows that she encourages her children to watch are Tagalog shows, especially educational shows like Matanglawin, which airs on ABS-CBN HD on SKYdirect, the direct-to-home pay TV service (satellite antenna) of SKY Cable, the cable and broadband unit of ABS-CBN that provides a diverse channel lineup with programs that appeal to every family member, so her kids can learn how to speak Tagalog fluently.
News and sports, lifestyle, cartoons, and even movies are some of the content that SKYdirect’s channels feature, which enhances home life by providing the whole family opportunities to bond while watching their favorite shows together, or by allowing individual members to enjoy their chosen programs.
SKYdirect also aims to give Filipino families located in areas unreachable by cable access to information and entertainment since the service is available nationwide.
Apart from ABS-CBN HD, exclusive channels available on SKYdirect prepaid and postpaid plans include S+A HD, ABS-CBN Regional, ANC, Cinema One, MYX, Lifestyle, Jeepney TV, DZMM TeleRadyo, and TMC.
Through SKYdirect plan variants, families can also watch top-rating cable channels like Cartoon Network, HBO, Disney, Nickelodeon, FOX, Warner, RTL-CBS, TLC, AXN, and History.
Subscribing to SKYdirect is even more affordable since kits are now priced at P2,699 from the original price of P2,990. SKYdirect prepaid plans are available on various plans, like Plan 99, Plan 250, and Plan 450, while postpaid plans are available on Plan 250 and Plan 450 variants. For more information, visit mysky.com.ph.
