ABS-CBN returns to free tv via Channel 11

Kantar Philippines' media division will no longer close after signing a new Total Audience Measurement (TAM) contract with ABSCBN, which has started making a comeback on free TV via A2Z channel 11.

Kantar Media’s public relations team email states that the media research company has signed a new Total Audience Measurement (TAM) contract with its “keystone” client, ABSCBN.

This comes on the heels of the latter's partnership with Zoe Broadcasting Network, which is now known as A2Z channel 11.

The ratings provider of ABS-CBN since 2010 is resuming its operations as the network's programs will “be shown via the terrestrial and the satellite/cable frequencies of another broadcaster,”

In the e-mail, Kantar Media says majority of the media division’s existing staff, who were originally scheduled to leave on December 31, 2020, will be retained.

However, Kantar Media will no longer operate its AdEx services, which monitor total ad spend across all platforms, in the Philippines.

It can be recalled that the decision to close Kantar Philippines' media division was first reported on September 2, 2020.

It was primarily because of ABS-CBN’s shutdown on July 10, 2020.

Kantar Philippines managing director Jay Bautista said in an interview with PhilStar.com that a big chunk of the division's revenues had come from the Kapamilya network.

On May 5, 2020, ABSCBN stopped the broadcast of its free TV and radio channels, after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order following the expiration

Shaira Diaz is the new leading lady of Ruru Madrid in GMA-7's upcoming series, Lolong! Are Sanya Lopez and Kim Domingo still part of the cast?

GMA-7 announced yesterday, October 7, on their news program 24 Oras that Shaira has been chosen to be Ruru Madrid's leading lady in the actionadventure series, Lolong.

In tears, Shaira said, “Sobrang nagpapasalamat of its ongressional franchi se.

ABS-CBN applied for a renewal at Congress, which held hearings from June to July 2020. On July 10, 2020, the franchise was denied by 70 solons.

A month later, on August 31, ABS-CBN retrenched at least 4,000 employees in different departments.

Last October 8, 2020, A2Z channel 11 begun its test broadcast showing the movies produced by ABS-CBN Films.

A2Z channel 11 will start the broadcast of ABS-CBN’s noontime show It’s Showtime on Saturday, October 10, 2020.

It will be followed by marathons— from October 10 to 11— of currently-airing ABS-CBN teleseryes FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, and Walang Hanggang Paalam.

The series’fresh episodes will start running on free TV come Monday, October 13.

ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, ASAP Natin ‘To, will also air a live episode this Sunday, October 11, 2020.

Also expected to be shown in the next few weeks are ABS-CBN programs Magandang Buhay, Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan, Iba ‘Yan, I Can See Your Voice, and Maalaala Mo Kaya.

ABS-CBN's upcoming programs— Bagong Umaga and Init Sa Magdamag— will be shown as well on A2Z.

Vice Ganda, Regine Velasquez, Angel Locsin, Judy Ann Santos, and other Kapamilya stars have expressed their joy over ABS-CBN’s partnership with A2Z channel 11.

po ako sa prod at saka sa public affairs for choosing me.”

Ruru, who was handpicked to play the male lead in Lolong, revealed that he is excited to work with a new leading lady.

He said, “Finally, may nahanap na pong perfect para doon sa role, and si Shaira po iyon.

“I mean, hindi ko pa po nakakatrabaho si Shaira pero lagi ko po siya napapanood at nagagalingan po talaga ako.”

Shaira started her career in the TV5 talent and reality show Artista Academy.

In 2016, she transferred to GMA-7, and became part of the shows Trops (2016-2017), Contessa (2018), Pamilya Roces (2018), and Love You Two ( 2019) .

Lolong is Shaira’s first lead role in a GMA-7 series.

Produced by GMA Public Affairs, it is dubbed as the “biggest action-adventure series” of the Kapuso net w or k.

Other cast members of the series are yet to be r eveal ed.

Lolong was part of GMA-7’s omnibus plug for the network’s 2020 offerings.

In the plug, it was already revealed that Ruru will be the male lead, together with Sanya Lopez and Kim Domingo.

But since the plug's release, there had been no updates about the series until the announcement that Shaira will be Ruru’s leading lady.

Prior to the pandemic, Sanya's next project was r eveal ed.

According to reports, she will be the leading lady of Senator Bong Revilla in a weekly series titled Agimat ng Agila, which is currently on hold because of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, GMA-7 has not made any announcement on Kim’s next project.