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We ask Pres. Noel how he’d assess 2014 for TV5. “It’s good,” he says. “It allowed us to get to know who we are and we’re the Happy Network. We can’t be copycats and compete with the teleseryes of the two networks, so we choose our positioning to be on sports and light entertainment. That’s our personality as a network and that differentiates us from the rest. PBA Live is doing very well and the Happy shows we’ve introduced are well received. Revenue-wise, we grew by 10 percent and we’re very happy about it. We’re focusing on what we’re strong at and that defines us as a network. Other networks naman took a very long time before they got on top, so bumubuwelo pa rin kami until we make a mark. You can’t do this overnight.”
How do they feel that Sharon Cuneta opted to leave them? “Siempre we’re sad kasi may pinagsamahan din naman kami. But we have to work with a win-win situation. We wish her all the best.”
How come they did not renewed the contracts of Aga Muhlach and Nora Aunor? “For Aga, it’s a business decision of the network to just get him on a per program basis but he’s not comfortable with it. Puede pa rin naman siya to work with us kung may project kami na magugustuhan niya. As for Nora, we can see that she’s much happier doing independent films. We also aim to search and build up more homegrown stars kasi mas gusto ng viewers ang mga bagong mukha who we’ll introduce in the gag shows, game shows and romcoms that we are doing.”
Among the new shows that they will launch in 2015 is a local version of the popular Aussie kiddie show, “Hi 5”. “We will conduct a search for the Filipino hosts, three girls and two boys,” says Ma’am Wilma. “We’re so happy with the good reception to ‘Wattpad Presents’, so we’re preparing 12 more novels for its new season. Malakas ito even online, where you can watch the whole mini-series for only P15.00. Other new shows to watch out for are ‘Happy Wife Happy Life’, a reality show featuring the wives of PBA superstars; ‘E5’, a coproduction magazine show with Arnold Vegafria with KC Montero, Tim Yap, Divine and Grace Lee; ‘Extreme Challenge, Kaya Mo Ba To” hosted by Derek Ramsay with the racers of ‘Amazing Race 2’; sitcoms ‘Mac and Chiz’ with Derek Ramsay and Empoy as twins; ‘Two and ½ Daddies’ with Robin and Rommel Padilla, plus BB Gandanghari; ‘No Harm No Foul’ with Ogie Alcasid ant the giants of the PBA hardcourt; ‘What’s the Problem’, a show about health and love hosted by Gelli de Belen, Arnel Ignacio and Atty. Mel Sta. Maria who’ll provide legal aide; reality showsw lie ‘Rising Stars’, a singing search where contestants can send their video selfie; ‘Move It’, a dance contest hosted by Jasmine Curtis Smith; and ‘Last School Standing’ a game show featuring the best high schools in the country; and a medical show hosted by Dr. Hayden Kho and Dr. Edinell Calvario.”