ABC 5: ‘RP Idol is ours’

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 09:45pm (Mla time) 09/04/2007

MANILA, Philippines—Reacting to the Inquirer Entertainment story, “GMA 7 eyes RP ‘Idol,’” ABC 5 managing director Bobby Barreiro asserted that his network is mounting Season 2 of “Philippine Idol,” “barring any major glitch.”

Barreiro confirmed that ABC 5 is still deep into negotiations on the deal with “Idol” franchise holder FremantleMedia, but added that there is no indication that the show would be given to another network.

“Fremantle people are very professional. They’re long-term players. They won’t burn bridges just because there’s a better offer from another network,” Barreiro told Inquirer Entertainment in a phone interview on Monday.

He said that the final decision rests on ABC 5 president and chief executive officer Tonyboy Cojuangco and Fremantle.

“Mr. Cojuangco is just waiting for the terms of the contract to be finalized. He’s very interested in the show,” Barreiro declared. “For as long as the terms are reasonable, we’ll push through with it.”

Barreiro expressed surprise though that GMA 7 is now eyeing the RP “Idol” franchise. “Perhaps this proves that franchises work and is changing the local TV landscape. There is nothing bad with foreign formats. It’s just a matter of infusing it with local flavor. Franchises allow us to learn from the best practitioners in the world.” He revealed out that ABC 5 is gearing up for “Asian Idol,” earmarked as a “big launch” for RP “Idol” Season 2.

Local champ Mau Marcelo is the country’s representative at the Asian showdown in Jakarta, Indonesia, in November.

“Seven Asian countries have ‘Idol’ franchises—Indonesia, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. RCTI [channel] in Indonesia is hosting the regional competition; Fremantle is coordinating with the different countries,” Barreiro said.

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