Who is No. 1 if Kapuso Network is second best?

How do we gauge a local network so we can call it the best television station? Is it on the number of awards it has received throughout the years, the number of its top-rating shows, or the data that indicate its revenue?

The answer differs on whom you would ask first. Additionally, someone will not use any numerical data to support his answer, rather he will respond depending on which channel he patronizes. If you happen to speak with a diehard Kapamilya, the answer of course is ABS-CBN, and if you chanced upon a loyal Kapuso, without thinking twice, it is GMA Network. However, if you would ask the Philippine Movie Press Club, its members will have a unanimous answer.

For the third year in a row PMPC Star Awards for Television named ABS-CBN as the best local television station and logically that puts its closest rival GMA Network to its “proper” place as the second best. Apart from being conferred with the highest honor in the annual television event, ABS-CBN also bagged the most number of awards. It went home with a total of 29 awards and trophies versus Kapuso’s 15 [and TV5’s six].

Peculiar as it may appear, but recently, at the 22nd Philippine Ad Congress, Atty. Felipe Gozon said, “As far as we are concerned, GMA is number one,” when asked by Korina Sanchez: “Who is the real number one.”

During the event, television bigwigs were given a chance to stage a 15-minute speech. Thereafter, news anchors from top networks were given the luxury to ask them questions.

Media consumers want nothing but good and quality entertainment. But the phrase quality television on the ratings centered network TV is sparse nowadays. Funny as it may sound, eventhough they always rely on the ratings number, still, the word quality is an alien word to major networks.

Each station claims supremacy and leadership in providing cutting-edge, innovative, and original programs, but none of these is evident. Can we really proudly say that locally produced programs at par with international standard?

The fact that local TV is saturated with adaptations and local franchise of popular shows we can surmise that the people working for our local TV are not talented enough to create original concepts. It’s not surprising at all if the viewing public chooses to watch DVDs or surf cable channels for a plethora of great programming.

Being the best television station means the network provides better entertainment. That is the basic idea of television. But are award giving bodies like the PMPC for example credible enough to name the best station that provides better entertainment? Of course, that is an entire different story.