MANILA, Philippines — The archives of APT Entertainment are more than just a vault of old-school comedy. There rests an effective brand the throwback-loving current generation will find interesting to dig into.
Thus, APT’s partnership with Cignal TV should pave the way for these classic clips to see daylight through the digital platform that millennials, and even younger ones, have connected themselves with. The birth of BuKo (Buhay Komedya), touted as the first-ever local comedy channel, will signal the rebirth of comedy and, eventually, new material that will carry the same impact and appeal that made it worth the classic tag.
“I was a consumer who has followed those shows which brought us safe comedy whole families went to watch. Our partnership is giving us the opportunity to go back to how they provided entertainment in our lives,” said Cignal TV and TV5 president Jane Basas in a chat with The STAR late last month.
The said partnership aims to air some of Filipino public’s favorite local comedy programs of the past, with APT being the custodian of those that starred legendary comedians in their prime. The goal is to reintroduce and rewind the comedy genre that seemed to have been lost amidst the ever-changing viewing habits of the generations too young to see such classics like Iskul Bukol and Wow Mali.
APT Entertainment CEO Michael Tuviera described BuKo as a general entertainment channel focused on comedy. “We want to make people laugh and happy. With what’s happening in the world, it’s what we need. We did a lot of brainstorming to determine what worked and what shows we fell in love with and what is still applicable today.”
Basas noted that the channel will do test broadcast on Cignal TV by the end of February next year. Viewers can expect old clips with present-day interviews of its stars and hosts. Tuviera likened it to DVD specials airing on modern TV.
The airing of throwbacks will be valuable in the eventual creation of original content to be produced in the coming months. Looks like the channel intends to guide viewers of its direction by leading them to the “treasure trove of content” that once lorded free TV.
“A lot of our developmental meetings went like we were friends reminiscing the old days and identifying what episodes and scenes made us laugh,” shared the director who also had to do with introducing comedy-variety on Sunday noontime on GMA 7.
Basas added, “We make use of the word konteksto, meaning we’re creating a mixed content that will tickle the (funny) bone of those who grew up watching these sitcoms and appeal to the new generation as well. Good comedy is timeless and embraces all generations.”