Philippine Idol now on GMA-7

ABC-5 loses it's hold on Philippine Idol, while GMA-7 is now the owner of the RP franchise. Season 2 will be aired by the Kapuso Network, which confirms earlier rumors that the internationally popular singing contest is transferring to another TV station. Geraldine Bravo, director of Marketing


FIRST Idol champ Mau Marcelo flanked by runners-up Jan Nieto, left, and Gian Magdangal. RUDY ESPERAS photo.


and Sales for FremantleMedia, the Idol franchise owner said in an official statement sent to Philippine
Daily Inquirer that:
“We are very fortunate to find a new partner to produce ‘Philippine Idol.'"

ABC-5 has insisted amidst rumors that IDOL is transferring to GMA-7 that they were “deep in discussions with Fremantle and … barring any major glitch … [we will] still mount the second season.”

Bravo's formal statement cemented the deal with GMA-7. “It is our intention to make [RP ‘Idol’] the biggest show the Philippines has ever seen,” Bravo said.

Sources say the show's target launch is February, 2008.

GMA-7's Wilma Galvante, VP executive for Entertainment TV says:

“As far as we are concerned, this is our first partnership with Fremantle for the ‘Idol’ franchise.”
Bravo's confirmation of transferring to GMA “means that [both parties] have agreed that GMA 7 has the experience, resources and people to mount talent-search programs [like ‘Idol’].”

Bravo adds in her statement:
"Fremantle has taken into consideration several parties to be the possible home of [RP ‘Idol’].”
Her statement also reiterates that they consider GMA-7 as “an excellent partner ... having licensed other [Fremantle] shows like ‘Celebrity Duets,’ ‘Whammy,’ and ‘Family Feud.’”

There is a possibility that Regine Velasquez is the new Idol host according to one source of Inquirer, but another claims Ryan Agoncillo and Ryan Cayabyab will be retained as host and judge respectively.
“It’s too early to go into such details,” said Galvante.

It is still a question wether GMA-7 would participate on Mau Marcelo's participation in 'Asian Idol' in November or if Sony-BMG would handle Marcelo's participation in the regional contest in Jakarta.

Jan Nieto, Marcelo's runner-up on Idol is now signing up with GMA-7.

Source:
Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer