The case of Willie Revillame vs. ABS-CBN may just turn out to be the biggest legal battle of the decade.
Supposedly Willie is co-producing with VIVA Television the early evening game/variety show "Willing-Willie" for TV5. The Kapatid network, in fact, is already airing station plugs heralding the arrival of Willie Revillame. The set of his show reportedly is also being constructed.
This new program is actually his and VIVA’s. Vic del Rosario’s company and his Wil Production are coming in to Channel 5 as a block-timer. The station will only provide airtime and the technical facilities.
But what awaits Willie in his new home on Channel 5? Here are a few scenarios I imagine in my head that may happen to the embroiled TV host-comedian in the Kapatid station:
• On the day of the launch (nobody knows yet when — and it cannot be on Oct. 10 as reported since that is a Sunday), ABS-CBN will file a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that would attempt to stop the airing of "Willing-Willie". Having observed the broadcast industry in the past decades, I can’t help but suspect that the TRO was enacted into law for the Lopez-owned network. Since it reopened after EDSA I in 1986, ABS-CBN had often exercised this legal option and had always had the courts serve this when everything is all set for the program they want to stop from airing. No, there’s nothing illegal there. That is how the game is played in the entertainment industry and Channel 2 has the option to do that.
In time, however, Willie’s show will eventually be given the chance to air — even while the case is ongoing — since I know that his lawyers are brilliant and COURAGEOUS (I have no idea who comprises the ABS-CBN legal team) and will find a way to go around the Channel 2 contract Willie SUPPOSEDLY violated.
• In his new program, Willie cannot enjoy the same perks he had when he was still hosting "Wowowee". To begin with — as Co-Producer — he will be paying himself and his staff. And all those casual plugs that earned for him millions in "Wowowee" will no longer flood his new program because Channel 5 still doesn’t have the reach that ABS-CBN continues to offer. While TV5 is already starting to claim to be the No. 2 network in Metro Manila in terms of ratings (they have the figures to show), nationwide programming is a totally different ballgame. In Wowowee, Willie also had the advantage of being seen all over the world via ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) and that was magnet for sponsors that came in within the program and became part of the show’s content. Knowing Manny Pangilinan’s brilliant nose for business, he surely is already working on TV5 going GLOBAL, but we’re talking of the present. Channel 5’s going International cannot happen between now and the launch of Willie’s new program.
• In the 6pm slot, his game/variety show may just succeed, particularly during the first half hour. He will be up against telenovelas on Channels 2 and 7. While soaps command a huge following among viewers, the audience may just troop to his show if — and this is the big IF — he also gives away money the way he used to dispense when he was still with Wowowee. The question is: Where will he get the funds to distribute the cash prizes? Good for him if I’m wrong and his former sponsors continue to support him — despite his now limited reach. They can provide studio participants with the prize money. Maybe in the beginning, Willie can dig into his personal pocket, but how long can he sustain that? But I have a feeling that is what is going to happen — Willie will get from his own funds to continue his habit of giving away dole-outs (a very bad practice, if you ask me). Let’s see how long his purse-string is.
• The 6:30pm News Programs of both ABS-CBN and GMA 7 also need to be vigilant because they will be up against a show that gives away instant money and viewers like that. I can only hope the people in the news departments of the two networks do not resort to sensationalism (not that it’s not being done yet) to counter Willie’s charity, er, game show.
• If Willie’s 6pm show succeeds, he will change the landscape of that slot. The scenario will be like during the pre-martial law days when the programs were musical/variety/game: The Big Show, Oras ng Ligaya, Alright … Okay, On With the Show and The Wow Generation. While that will be a welcome change (these soaps are starting to come out of my ears), do we want to set back viewing tastes and preferences by 30-40 years?
• If the new program of Willie becomes a rater, his will be the primetime flagship of TV5 and that will be very good for the Kapatid network. To be able to rule primetime is the key to Channel 5’s success.
• Viewers and talents will be eternally grateful to Willie if he is able to turn things around for TV5 and transform it into a major station at par with both ABS-CBN and GMA 7. With only two networks ruling the TV industry, talents who are unhappy with their mother studios have a very limited choice. But if TV5 finally becomes a major player — as in major-major (as Venus Raj put it), it will be paradise for talents. Oh, no! It’s going to be the season of Prima Donnas again!
• But more importantly, it’s the TV audience that will end up as winner because all networks will be on their toes and there will be a wider selection of viewing choices for non-cable subscribers (there’s still a lot).
SOURCE: Butch Francisco | The Philippine Star (September 28, 2010)
Supposedly Willie is co-producing with VIVA Television the early evening game/variety show "Willing-Willie" for TV5. The Kapatid network, in fact, is already airing station plugs heralding the arrival of Willie Revillame. The set of his show reportedly is also being constructed.
This new program is actually his and VIVA’s. Vic del Rosario’s company and his Wil Production are coming in to Channel 5 as a block-timer. The station will only provide airtime and the technical facilities.
But what awaits Willie in his new home on Channel 5? Here are a few scenarios I imagine in my head that may happen to the embroiled TV host-comedian in the Kapatid station:
• On the day of the launch (nobody knows yet when — and it cannot be on Oct. 10 as reported since that is a Sunday), ABS-CBN will file a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that would attempt to stop the airing of "Willing-Willie". Having observed the broadcast industry in the past decades, I can’t help but suspect that the TRO was enacted into law for the Lopez-owned network. Since it reopened after EDSA I in 1986, ABS-CBN had often exercised this legal option and had always had the courts serve this when everything is all set for the program they want to stop from airing. No, there’s nothing illegal there. That is how the game is played in the entertainment industry and Channel 2 has the option to do that.
In time, however, Willie’s show will eventually be given the chance to air — even while the case is ongoing — since I know that his lawyers are brilliant and COURAGEOUS (I have no idea who comprises the ABS-CBN legal team) and will find a way to go around the Channel 2 contract Willie SUPPOSEDLY violated.
• In his new program, Willie cannot enjoy the same perks he had when he was still hosting "Wowowee". To begin with — as Co-Producer — he will be paying himself and his staff. And all those casual plugs that earned for him millions in "Wowowee" will no longer flood his new program because Channel 5 still doesn’t have the reach that ABS-CBN continues to offer. While TV5 is already starting to claim to be the No. 2 network in Metro Manila in terms of ratings (they have the figures to show), nationwide programming is a totally different ballgame. In Wowowee, Willie also had the advantage of being seen all over the world via ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) and that was magnet for sponsors that came in within the program and became part of the show’s content. Knowing Manny Pangilinan’s brilliant nose for business, he surely is already working on TV5 going GLOBAL, but we’re talking of the present. Channel 5’s going International cannot happen between now and the launch of Willie’s new program.
• In the 6pm slot, his game/variety show may just succeed, particularly during the first half hour. He will be up against telenovelas on Channels 2 and 7. While soaps command a huge following among viewers, the audience may just troop to his show if — and this is the big IF — he also gives away money the way he used to dispense when he was still with Wowowee. The question is: Where will he get the funds to distribute the cash prizes? Good for him if I’m wrong and his former sponsors continue to support him — despite his now limited reach. They can provide studio participants with the prize money. Maybe in the beginning, Willie can dig into his personal pocket, but how long can he sustain that? But I have a feeling that is what is going to happen — Willie will get from his own funds to continue his habit of giving away dole-outs (a very bad practice, if you ask me). Let’s see how long his purse-string is.
• The 6:30pm News Programs of both ABS-CBN and GMA 7 also need to be vigilant because they will be up against a show that gives away instant money and viewers like that. I can only hope the people in the news departments of the two networks do not resort to sensationalism (not that it’s not being done yet) to counter Willie’s charity, er, game show.
• If Willie’s 6pm show succeeds, he will change the landscape of that slot. The scenario will be like during the pre-martial law days when the programs were musical/variety/game: The Big Show, Oras ng Ligaya, Alright … Okay, On With the Show and The Wow Generation. While that will be a welcome change (these soaps are starting to come out of my ears), do we want to set back viewing tastes and preferences by 30-40 years?
• If the new program of Willie becomes a rater, his will be the primetime flagship of TV5 and that will be very good for the Kapatid network. To be able to rule primetime is the key to Channel 5’s success.
• Viewers and talents will be eternally grateful to Willie if he is able to turn things around for TV5 and transform it into a major station at par with both ABS-CBN and GMA 7. With only two networks ruling the TV industry, talents who are unhappy with their mother studios have a very limited choice. But if TV5 finally becomes a major player — as in major-major (as Venus Raj put it), it will be paradise for talents. Oh, no! It’s going to be the season of Prima Donnas again!
• But more importantly, it’s the TV audience that will end up as winner because all networks will be on their toes and there will be a wider selection of viewing choices for non-cable subscribers (there’s still a lot).
SOURCE: Butch Francisco | The Philippine Star (September 28, 2010)
JOJORAZZI's COMMENT:
I agree in this article about the possible scenario that Willie is about to face once his show started. The time slot is very important. Willie can't beat the ratings of NEWS PROGRAM of ABS-CBN and GMA-7 because most of us wants to be updated on what's going on in our country. Watching NEWS is much important than the others specially during calamities. In one episode of "JUICY" in TV5, Mo Twister also said that it's hard to beat the News Program but he was answered by Cristy Fermin. She don't agree with Mo's idea because Willie is Willie. For me, no matter how popular you are but if you are going to battle a much important program like news, you're show is in trouble. I still don't know why they did not put his show in the noontime? Considering this is the time slot of Wowowee and we are accustomed to that. Many people are waiting for the airing of his show specially his detractors. They want to see if he maintains his popularity during his stint in "Wowowee". The first thing they do is to check the ratings from Mega-Manila and Nationwide. I don't expect he will get the huge ratings in Nationwide because TV5 reception does not cover the whole Visayas and Mindanao area. Even in the internet, you can watch the other networks except TV5 and QTV 11. The people behind TV5 should know this consequence and find solutions as soon as possible. I suggest to Willie and TV5 to air his show in the noontime and should be LIVE. I'm also concern on his Co-Host if they are good or same level as compared to his previous co-host like Pokwang and Mariel.
I agree in this article about the possible scenario that Willie is about to face once his show started. The time slot is very important. Willie can't beat the ratings of NEWS PROGRAM of ABS-CBN and GMA-7 because most of us wants to be updated on what's going on in our country. Watching NEWS is much important than the others specially during calamities. In one episode of "JUICY" in TV5, Mo Twister also said that it's hard to beat the News Program but he was answered by Cristy Fermin. She don't agree with Mo's idea because Willie is Willie. For me, no matter how popular you are but if you are going to battle a much important program like news, you're show is in trouble. I still don't know why they did not put his show in the noontime? Considering this is the time slot of Wowowee and we are accustomed to that. Many people are waiting for the airing of his show specially his detractors. They want to see if he maintains his popularity during his stint in "Wowowee". The first thing they do is to check the ratings from Mega-Manila and Nationwide. I don't expect he will get the huge ratings in Nationwide because TV5 reception does not cover the whole Visayas and Mindanao area. Even in the internet, you can watch the other networks except TV5 and QTV 11. The people behind TV5 should know this consequence and find solutions as soon as possible. I suggest to Willie and TV5 to air his show in the noontime and should be LIVE. I'm also concern on his Co-Host if they are good or same level as compared to his previous co-host like Pokwang and Mariel.
