ABS-CBN Corporation, the Philippines’ largest and leading conglomerate, has successfully launched the local versions of three global TV formats, Shine International’s “MasterChef” and “Minute to Win It,” and Endemol’s “Deal or No Deal.”
“MasterChef Pinoy Edition,” hosted by award-winning actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, started airing in November 2012 in the channel’s morning timeslot to consistently high ratings. ABS-CBN gave the hit cooking reality show a Filipino flavor by dubbing it a kusina serye (kitchen series) highlighting the real-life struggles and triumphs of the aspiring cooks who come from different generations, places, and economic backgrounds.
The kusina serye runs back-to-back with widely popular game show “Minute to Win,” solidifying the viewership of ABS-CBN’s morning block. “Minute to Win It,” hosted by actor-VJ Luis Manzano, came out in mid-January and has regularly placed on the list of the top 10 most-watched weekday programs in the Philippines. The show has triggered a wave of excitement among audiences who root for players carrying out misleadingly easy challenges. Its first weeks have also had the country’s most popular celebrities play and will soon feature regular contestants from the tryouts.
This Philippines’ highest rating game show in 2012 was also a hit franchise produced by ABS-CBN. The fourth season of “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal,” which banks on host Luis Manzano’s fresh hosting style and engaging interaction with players, ended up as last year’s top 8th most watched program in urban and rural homes nationwide, with a national TV rating of 25%, based on data from Kantar Media. Launched on Philippine TV in 2006, “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal” has set itself apart from the other versions of Endemol format because of its unique elements such as the dancing 24K girls, the signature hand gestures signifying ‘deal’ and ‘no deal,’ and an energetic and interactive audience. The program was so outstanding that it was chosen as one of the only three countries to be part of USA’s “Deal or No Deal – Around the World” edition in 2008.
This year, meanwhile, ABS-CBN is set to release local versions of hit reality shows to give Filipinos a platform to reach their dreams. ABS-CBN continues to discover world-class acts in the fourth season of Fremantle’s “Pilipinas Got Talent,” which is set to debut early this year. Production is also underway for “The Biggest Loser Doubles,” to be hosted by acclaimed actress Iza Calzado, the second local edition of the Shine International format. Nationwide auditions, meanwhile, have already begun for the Philippine debut of singing competition “The Voice of the Philippines,” licensed by Talpa Media Group. In the next few weeks, ABS-CBN will announce the judges for its first season.