CEBU, Philippines — A digital upgrade to the Pinoy’s traditional media habits will premiere tomorrow, May 23, via the newest “revolutionary” channel PIE – short for Pinoy Interactive Entertainment – the country’s first multiscreen, real-time, and interactive TV channel.
“It allows Pinoys to watch TV shows, join all the interactive contests, or build a following if you’re an aspiring content creator, and even influence the plot of a teleserye across your preferred screen option whether it’s TV, mobile, laptop, or PC,” said Ian Monsod, CEO of Kroma Entertainment, during PIE Channel’s virtual media launch.
PIE brings together BEAM, 917Ventures, tradigital (traditional and digital) entertainment company KROMA, and ABS-CBN. It will start airing this Monday, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, accessible to 11 million digital TV households in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Naga, Baguio, and nearby provinces through partner station BEAM.
The channel can be found by scanning one’s digibox, by watching via its website pie.com.ph, thru YouTube (http://youtube.com/iampieofficial) or via Sky Cable Channel 21. Audiences can also watch PIE live on GCash GLife beginning May 28.
“At ABS-CBN we always look at means to innovate and deliver fresh entertainment. We joined forces with 917 Ventures and Kroma for their ecosystem of unique solutions, expertise, technology, and distribution scale. Combining this with our expertise in content creation, we are ushering a new and one-of-a-kind format for TV and digital entertainment that is designed to celebrate the fun and joy that Pinoys love. We’re excited to finally introduce PIE and have the Filipino audience have a taste of it,” said ABS-CBN Head of Digital Jaime Lopez.
Monsod shared how ABS-CBN has long been a trusted partner of the Globe group and is a highly credible and forward-thinking content organization. “We’ve collaborated in various co-productions in the past. Just last year we collected awards for our collaboration on the movie ‘Kun Maupay Man It Panahon’. More importantly, we share the same tradigital view to propel growth for Filipino artistry and the entertainment industry in general. So it was a natural partnership expansion to do the PIE project together.”
“We at 917 Ventures pride ourselves with partnering with the best in providing solutions for the Filipino. From FinTech, e-commerce, health tech, and now entertainment. We are proud to enable and power PIE, and help deliver this engaging tradigital experience,” added 917 Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat.
For its debut this Monday, viewers will be introduced to the channel’s exuberant jocks and will also get the chance to win cash prizes from a total pot of P10 million by tuning in to BEAM on TV or via the PIE website.
“Mayora” Frances Cabatuando of Home Buddies Facebook community brings relevant information, inspiring stories, and positive energy every 7 a.m. at “PieSilog.” With her are resident “Kikay” Sela Guia, “Kwelang Kuya ng Lahat” Tristan Ramirez, “Bibong Artist” Raco Ruiz, “Good Boy Charmer” Jae Miranda, and “VJ na Laging May Say” Eryka Lucas.
Come noon, “Barangay PIE” will be your jolly lunch buddy. Join the antics of “Ang Tito Mong Mayor” Mayor TV, “Ang Muse ng Barangay” Abby Trinidad, “Barangay Talak-Tokerist” Ruth Paga, “Sawsawera ng Barangay” Sunshine Teodoro, “Barangay Queen Sirena” Inah Evans, “Barangay Sexy-Tary” Patsy Reyes, and “Sizt-mosa ng Barangay” Coco Cordero.
This mix of personalities found in an ordinary Pinoy community offers off-center news in amusing and witty ways – the perfect break from tiresome work and school.
At 4 p.m. daily, “PIEgalingan”, a different kind of talent variety show, runs on air to celebrate the uniqueness of contestants not usually highlighted on TV. Hosts “G sa Lahat ng Gimik” and “Try-It” actor/streamer Ralph Malibunas, “Reynang All-Out ang Support” beauty queen Samantha Bernardo, and “Bidabro” and “Promotor ng Trip” actor/host Eris Aragoza will cheer on the achievements of contestants.
Called the “heart and soul” of the channel, PIE’s “PIENALO” block offers an interactive experience wherever you may be in the Philippines, with numerous prizes at stake.
Viewers can enjoy this interactive experience via their mobile phone with “Goal-Oriented Achiever” Eian Rances, “Ang Raketerang Breadwinner ng Visayas” Nicki Morena, “Happy-Go-Lucky Bunso ng TroPIE” Kevin Montillano, and well-loved chef, Ninong Ry.
Classic game show “Pera o Bayong” levels up on PIE with a new interactive format, with prizes given away every hour to viewers at home. On “Palong Follow,” PIE viewers will work together to find the Philippines’ next big digital content creator.
“PIE Night Long” is a program that features buzz-worthy, modern Pinoy stories where viewers can share their views and feelings and be involved in the storytelling process. On “UZI,” the country’s first interactive teleserye, viewers have a say on what happens next and write the story together.
Hosted by “Fun-Loving and Woke Gen Z” Aaron Maniego, “The Hopeless Romantic Love Guru” Karen Bordador, and “The Sweet and Conservative Musician” Renee Dominique, “PIE Night Long” is a place where you can comfortably share your deepest fears and insecurities or your life’s greatest highs.
“At 917 Ventures, we are always looking for ways to uplift the lives of the Filipinos by giving them access to essential services such as health services, financial services, groceries, and even education. But we also realize that Filipinos should be given access to entertainment and participating in shows from the comfort of their homes,” said Yamat.
“Before, there are only few contestants who can participate in these game shows. One has to be a studio contestant. Now, all of us can join in the fun as long as you have a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet and an internet connection. PIE also is the only TV channel that will broadcast live on TV, YouTube, PIE website, and within GCash.”
Monsod further said that as Filipinos long for collective fun, PIE hopes to fill that gap. “On PIE, those who watch become not just viewers but a well-engaged community that plays an active role in storytelling, game shows, and talk shows. Whether on their TV sets, laptops, desktops, or mobile devices, PIE is accessible to Filipinos who want to try a new way to consume—and play with—the shows they love.”
“Here at PIE we are excited to introduce to you a new kind of viewing experience that combines the strengths of content and technology. We designed our shows for the young and young-at-heart! We made our programs interactive so viewers can participate through TV and mobile devices because we believe that they are integral slices of the PIE. Get ready for 21 hours of fun game shows, talent and variety programs, series, and talk shows every day in this new entertainment channel,” said Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast.
For ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, PIE combines the strengths of content and technology.
“We designed our shows for the young and the young-at-heart. We made them interactive para sa bawat programa hindi ka lang basta manonood. Pwede ka rin makisali at makasama thru your TV and mobile devices. Because we believe that our viewers are integral slices of the pie.”
And so, are we looking at tradigital as the future of entertainment? “I definitely like to say it is,” said Lopez. “As technology continues to evolve, we are going to see more innovations that will make entertainment more immersive, engaging, and rewarding. Just like technology evolves, so does the behavior of our audience. We embrace this and look at ways to complement this thru entertainment.”