By Iza Iglesias
The newly operational network ALLTV had a successful soft launch on Tuesday, September 13 with a star-studded opening salvo. But like most new projects, concerns emerged early on, which Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) President Maribeth Tolentino promised to resolve.
In an intimate interview with the press, Tolentino said they appreciate the comments of the audience who tuned in to ALLTV's first day as technical issues were noticed.
"Lahat kami kinakabahan, first day naming maglaunch. Even our technical staff, dancers, talents, so it happens, hindi maiiwasan yun. Good thing meron kaming narereceive na feedback, so mai-improve namin sa technical side," Tolentino recalled.
"Afterwards, para kaming nanganak, parang may lumabas na bata. Nasa recovery room kaming lahat, parang gusto naming matulog na lang kasi after so many days, weeks, months kaming naguusap anong show, paano gawin, ano ba ang kulang, nakahinga kami. Actually, kung nakikita niyo lang kami, ayaw naming umalis ng TV, gusto naming mapanood lahat hanggang sa mag sign off," she added.
According to the TV exec, while AMBS was granted frequency by the National Telecommunications Commission back in January, it was only in July that they have decided to finally plan everything out for the September launch.
"Nagsimula lang kami ng July kasi tinapos namin muna yung eleksyon. Mahirap kasi makigulo sa eleksyon kasi meron kaming Senador at Congresswoman na tumakbo [Sen. Mark Villar and Cong. Camille Villar]. So noong time na yun, ayaw naming guluhin ang madlang people. Lahat sila ay excited kung sino ang mahahalal na presidente. Hindi halos kami pinapansin, even ng mga stars. Busy sila mag campaign kaya after election lang kami gumalaw," explained Tolentino.
The executive further revealed they were initially meant to launch in October, which was then moved to September 1 before they finally settled to September 13.
"Kasi yun ang anniversary ng aming principals – Sen. Manny and Sen. Cynthia. Gusto namin lagi kaming may milestone sa aming company para madaling tandaan."
While many have raised their eyebrows when AMBS was granted ABS-CBN's former frequency, Tolentino shared that they were actually able to help many former Kapamilya employees who are looking for jobs.
ALLTV has also yet to complete its daily programming which is why they are still dependent on collaboration between different networks. They have signed partnership with CNN Philippine for their "News Night" and ABS-CBN for their previously aired dramas such as "Ngayon at Kailanman" (2018) and "Doble Kara" (2015).
"Unti-unti binubuo namin para maka offer kami ng complete program. Hopefully January or February 2023 full blast na kami."
On talent acquisition, Tolentino said more artists are hoping to join the network.
"Yung ibang talents hindi makasign sa amin kasi may mga contract sila. But yung iba, gustong pumunta sa amin pero hindi naman namin makuha kasi wala pa namang concept para sa kanila. Nandoon pa kami sa pagco-complete ng programs namin so once complete yun, we can easily get them, balikan namin sila.
"Ang daming nagpi-pitch ngayon nga mga programs. Program muna, bago artista. Pero marami nang nagpaparamdam. Kung pinatulan namin lahat baka ang dami na naming artista."
Finally, Tolentino promised that the Filipino audience can anticipate more of ALLTV in the coming months.
"Hindi malayong mangyari na magventure din kami sa movies. Nandito na kami sa negosyong ito so lahat ng dapat gawin para makapagprovide ng magandang teleserye at movies. We're also planning to have a talent center. Eventually meron kang fresh talents na anytime kapag kailangan mo, meron ka. Lahat ng pumapasok sa negosyong ito, maco-complete yan."
