GMA vs ABS-CBN

There’s a new battle to be fought come early next year between the two giant networks. With GMA 7 clinching the rights from Fremantle Media to air "Philippine Idol," the network is undoubtedly pitting it against ABS-CBN’s Endemol franchise for "Pinoy Dream Academy."

While "Philippine Idol," the local franchise of the highly popular "American Idol," is a virtual singing competition, "Pinoy Dream Academy" is a reality talent search, where the participants are billeted in one house for the entire duration of the contest.

"Philippine Idol" and "Pinoy Dream Academy" are reportedly airing against each other on primetime TV early next year. This is expected to change the competition in evening programming, presently dominated by teleseryes and big-budget action-fantasy dramas. When the singing contests battle it out against each other for primetime ratings, then it’s a different and exciting battle for the two giant networks.

Meanwhile, ABC 5 has issued its official statement after losing the "Philippine Idol" franchise to GMA 7. ABC 5 said Fremantle wanted to give them other franchises for programs, but they simply wanted "Philippine Idol" and do the contesting their own terms.

When GMA 7 came into the picture and was willing to absorb other Fremantle formats, the latter granted the "Idol" rights to GMA 7. In no time, GMA 7 presented its local version of "Celebrity Duets," a Fremantle original production which is now one of the top-ratings shows on the network, hosted by Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid.

ABC 5 is aware GMA 7 gave a better offer to Fremantle, that’s why the latter got the "Philippine Idol" rights. But lest everyone forgets, ABC 5 wishes to remind viewers that they are the first network to buy foreign program formats and break new ground in primetime TV. They produced local versions of "Family Feud" (hosted by Ogie Alcasid) "The Price is Right" (hosted by Dawn Zulueta) and "Wheel of Fortune" (hosted by Rustom Padilla).

ABS-CBN simply followed suit with its Endemol franchises for "Pinoy Big Brother," "Deal or No Deal," "Pinoy Dream Academy" and more recently, "One Versus One Hundred." GMA 7 is the last one to join the fray by virtue of its tieup with Fremantle Media.

Poor Mau Marcelo, the champion of "Philippine Idol" on ABC 5, has to suffer. Mister Showbiz heard she will not be recognized by GMA 7 as the winner of the first season. Runners-up Gian Magdangal and Jan Nieto have signed up with GMA 7.