GMA News TV: Pwede Na!

This is the only thing I can say about the line up of shows presented by GMA for their upcoming News TV, which is an all-news channel to be launched starting February 28. While the programs are not yet at par with that of CNN, BBC or even ChannelNews Asia, it does edge a little bit closer with ANC and will definitely give Aksyon TV a run for its money. Let me put in details my impressions about the programming:

News on Prime Time. Keeping news updates at the prime time slot on TV is not really a surprising move since it is what kept News on Q from rating as well as the primary objective of the channel. However, I can't feel a bit nauseous about the idea of Brigada (hosted by Jessica Soho) and State of the Nation (aslo hosted by Soho) in the same prime time slot. If we are to have Jessica Soho in prime time for two hours, I would say its quite nakakaumay. I hope they considered retaining the old News on Q anchors Rhea Santos and Ivan Mayrina.

News to Go. I like this idea of fast-paced, mobile news. I just hope they really go full steam ahead on this to the level of really maximizing the technology they have in their hands. I hope to see interactive maps, touchscreen display of news and information, more savvy presentation of Tweeter and Facebook feedback, and state-of-the art weather and traffic reports. GMA is a trendsetter in the use of technology in broadcasting. Better live up to its name.

Simulcast. I've been watching Teleradyo and RHTV and I have to say the two are light years away. Teleradyo has these cool graphics interface for the news. They have nice studio sets and program graphics. I hope The simulcast programs like Dobol B sa News TV goes way beyond that. It will also do GMA a lot of good if they switch to digital signalization for radio.

Talk Shows. They took out Tonight with Arnold Clavio which is one of my favorite shows in QTV. With a little facelift, that show could've been at par with CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight or BBC's Hardtalk. Biographical sketch shows have also been taken out such as True Stories and Reunions (which I think is really doing great public service and very unique to TV). There were good shows in QTV that they took out.

Stuffed with Food. If they don't take away Sarap At Home (hosted by Sam Oh), I will be totally disgusted at how News TV will saturate viewers with cooking shows. Quickfire is just enough. (Thank God, they removed Delicioso, My Favorite Recipes and the likes). This is an all-news channel, not a lifestyle channel. Better if they transfer Sarap At Home to GMA 7 itself.

GMA News TV logo

Drawbacks. The two biggest drawbacks of News TV perhaps is its failure to deliver business and tech news. When I first heard about it, I was really hoping that channel would deliver business and tech news that the masa audience would understand and relate to. I think GMA should have considered these themes too and not just relied on ideas that they think would rate. The reason why most people in this country doesn't really relate to business and entrepreneurship is because they don't have programs on TV that helps them understand those subjects. I challenge GMA to come up with these programs in the long run of News TV.

In the end, its too early to tell. GMA is a very progressive news organization that is always open to innovation, new trends in the industry, and of course, feedback. I will definitely be watching News TV with quiet anticipation that my suggestions will be considered. After all, basta sa pagbabalita, GMA lang ang mapagkakatiwalaan.

GMA News TV Channel 11 starts airing on February 28, 2011. Dahil Oras-oras, Alam ko!