What I Want in GMA's All News Channel

I have to admit, I'm a news addict. When I open my Internet browser, the first thing I search for is news either in Yahoo! News for international events or GMA News. When I am on the move, I browse for news in my cellphone thanks to GMA 7's new mobile platform and to TV5's RadyoCinco. I keep tabs with the freshest events here and abroad through GMA 7's Balitanghali and 24 Oras or through CNN and BBC when we had cable service back then.

Sometimes, I get so saturated with news that I find myself frustrated at why GMA 7 or CNN keeps on reporting the same things over and over. Most of the time too, I get to compare how news organizations deliver the news as well as the innovation and aesthetics involved in presenting it. I don't really like the tabloid approach our news organizations use in reporting. I always wonder when we are going to have a news channel that could really be at par with CNN or BBC in delivering news and information.

Now, when I saw GMA 7's teaser for its upcoming reformat of sister station QTV 11 into a free-to-air news channel on February 7, I can't help thinking about what programs to expect. Will it be better than rival ANC? Will the graphics, reach of coverage and programs be worth watching? Here are some of the things I expect to see in this upcoming news channel:

1. Tech Shows (A weekly 30-minute to 1-hour tech show would do)

After the demise of Digital Tour in Studio 23, the only tech show that has remained in TV so far is Convergence in Net 25 (hosted by the very lovely and gorgeous Nikki Veron-Cruz). I like Convergence's format wherein it provides viewers with services aside from information about new gadgets and gizmos, such as Email for Help and Game Lab. They also showcase what's hot and not in gadget conventions both here and abroad and conducts interviews and video conferences with IT experts. If GMA 7 can come up with a similar programs that's more masa and youth oriented then its gonna give Convergence a run for its money.

2. Travel Shows

There are a handful of travel shows out there, of which only a few are really interesting to which due to its unique destinations and presentation format. One that I really like is QTV's Balikbayan which I'm really sure will be carried over to the new station. Another is Net 25's Landmarks hosted by the ever so charming Faye de Castro. However, the limitation of these programs is that they are not really traveler friendly. I'd be really happy if GMA 7 could come up with a program that gives tourists both local and foreign with ideas on where to go around the country, where to stay, what eat , how to get there and of course how much does all of it costs.

3. Documentaries

GMA 7 has done a good job a producing top quality documentaries through its programs I-Witness and Reporter’s Notebook. I’m sure the station will de re-runs of them in the this new channel. But I would also like to see new documentaries with new themes, perhaps environmental, scientific and informative documentaries aside from the usual social issue and investigative themes. One show which I hope they could replicate is Patricia Evangelista’s Storyline.

4. Talk Shows

CNN has a wide offering of talk shows on a spectrum of themes – Larry King Live, Amanpour, Piers Morgan, etc. GMA 7 can be at par with CNN in terms of programs with similar themes considering the success of programs such as Tonight with Arnold Clavio, Hot Seat (with Jessica Soho) and Mel and Joey. I hope these talks shows they will be offering will deliver an in-depth analysis and provide varying perspectives on current issues they will be covering.

5. Sports Programs

Sports is another item that Filipinos look for in news. While we are well provided with news reports in our primetime news programs, only a few programs really provide analysis of sports events, particularly Sport Unlimited (with Dyan Castilejo) in ABS-CBN and Hardball in Studio 23. Other stations such as NBN, IBC 13 and SolarTV could only offer sports programs with less analysis (except during PBA broadcasts). GMA 7 can get a lot of competent sports analysts to provide them with such programming.

6. Business Reports

There are a handful of programs on TV about entrepreneurial activities such as Go Negosyo in QTV 11, Kumikitang Kabuhayan (now Swak na Kabuhayan) in ABS-CBN, and Hanep Buhay in GMA 7 but aside from TeleDyaryo Business in NBN and ANC’s Business Nightly none has so far offered analysis of market trends, stock exchange and other related themes. I wish they could produce such a program with a similar approach as Rico Hizon’s Asia Business Report in BBC.

7. Magazine Shows

GMA 7 also has a history of producing really good magazine show which it can replicate in their new channel such as Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, Extra Extra and KaBlog (I wish they would revive this one in the new channel). In fact they can produce a variety of magazine shows based on a number of topics such as medicine, shopping, women, automobiles, food and baking, home improvement, and the likes.

8. News and Views

And of course, with news I hope GMA can organize news items into programs depending on its theme. It could have separate programs (simply segments if they are to have one program for all news) for national news, provincial news, world news, showbiz news, crime and blotter reports, even the wild and weird. Presenting it in a messy, tabloid form just like what they do in 24 Oras just sickens me. (Not that I don’t like the tabloid form, its what the masses like. I just want them to be organized.) Revival of debate programs such as Debate with Mare and Pare or a program similar to Y-Speak in Studio 23 will also do GMA good.

Of course, there is a lot of logistical requirements for GMA in starting this new channel. I sure hope they can establish news bureaus in key regions like North America, Europe and the Middle East so it can be on the frontlines when providing international news as well as provide comprehensive reporting on OFWs. GMA will also have to invest in technology not just in news gathering and broadcasting but as well as in presenting the news. I suggest they let go of the small iPads and don the huge touchscreen TVs again when reporting about traffic, weather or citizen reports. Better graphics, augmented reality, and mapping will also give news that sauve look. Remember, innovation is nothing without aethetics.

In the end, I’m gonna look forward to this news channel that GMA is cooking up. I hope it lives up to its name of being the reputed station when it comes to news and information.

P. S. I hope GMA could cut the long tagline too. Must be really tough on the anchors.