When one door closes, another opens
Just a few days after ABS-CBN’s closure, TV Patrol made its return on social – and it was a resounding success. Filipinos went all-in on their support for the iconic news program, whose initial absence became the most visible casualty of the shutdown.
The live broadcast notched 8.2 million views on Facebook alone and another 850k on YouTube. The hashtag #TVPatrol trended on Twitter, with many sharing just how vital the show has been in their lives. The revival is also a small win for a network that managed to capture the dour mood in the last moments leading up to its exit.
Scenes in the newsroom during the final broadcast of TV Patrol and ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission for the network to broadcast on air.
📷Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News pic.twitter.com/fzkFniBzzw
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) May 5, 2020
ABS-CBN News Chief @gingreyes hasn’t produced a newscast in over a decade. But we’ve heard epic stories of her days as EP of The World Tonight. Here she is, back in the producer’s chair for TV Patrol’s final newscast. The final words from the newscast were from her. pic.twitter.com/dumYipujms
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) May 5, 2020
ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak was in the newsroom during the final national anthem aired before ABS-CBN went off air. pic.twitter.com/EfSkBEHnW5
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) May 5, 2020
Following the success, ABS-CBN revealed that TV Patrol will now be broadcasted earlier and on even more platforms. Plus, it’ll be featuring the stars of the hit Thai TV show, ‘2gether: The Series’. Talk about being a comeback king.
An exclusive interview for the Philippines! 2gether: The Series stars, Sarawat & Tine tonight on TV Patrol! #BrightWinThePHExclusive pic.twitter.com/ALFIAiMM65
— Dreamscape Entertainment (@DreamscapePH) May 8, 2020
