Earlier, I read about the shocking news on
Q channel 11 League of Astig Facebook fan page here and says that
GMA 7 will reprogram Q into all-news channel starting next year. It will also serve as a rival for ABS-CBN's ANC channel which is a cable channel that runs news 24/7.
For those who like free-to-air news channel, it's a good news. However for the rest of the people, particularly women and anime fans will get disappointed. Why am I saying this to you? First of all, there's a problem about GMA Network's net income in the third quarter this year due to low ratings. Another reason is that there's a new GMA network president. So, it's possible that the staff will make plans to increase their income - by making programs for adult audiences. There's a risk that the schedules which contain shows for kids and teens, will affect the reprogramming of Q. As I read that announcement on Facebook, judging from the fan's reactions, they're worry that the Q will be the next channel to stop airing kids show. Some of the largest networks like ABS-CBN (
Team Animazing) then TV5 (
Animega) got rid of their schedules for anime show and replaced variety shows.
In 2005, GMA Network launched it's sister channel called Q, which intended to be a lifestyle channel for women. Q aired a lot of shows about traveling, helpful tips, entertainment, and cooking shows which the network fairly increase their income. At the same time, Q launched many anime and kids shows, mostly they were aired on GMA before. They also aired anime shows which was brought from ABS - CBN like
Heidi and
Daddy Long Legs. In 2009, Q made two sets of schedules for children -
Super Bulilit, in the mornings and
League of Astig, in the afternoons. As of this year, the status of airing kiddie shows on Q goes fine like before.
No one can tell what Q and GMA are up to next year, but let's hope that they'll never do what ABS - CBN and TV5 did because anime in the Philippines will decline sooner.