8 million views in one night: Pinoys connects to ‘TV Patrol’ comeback – online – amid ABS-CBN shutdown
Grover C. Magnus
5 min read
MANILA – Despite the government shutting down its broadcasting operations, ABS-CBN continued its mission of serving Filipinos on Thursday, with the return of its flagship newspaper “TV Patrol”.
From its premiere in 1987, “TV Patrol” reached Filipinos across the country via the free-to-air ABS-CBN television channel – until the May 5 ordinance that forced the network to shut down.
Two days after ABS-CBN’s television and radio broadcast ceased, “TV Patrol” announced that it would continue to broadcast the news, but through other network platforms, from the same night.
Mai magbabalik. Mamaya from Abangan. #TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/EriD1tPdcd
– TV Patrol (@TVPatrol) May 7, 2020
On May 7 at 6:25 p.m., the iconic music of “TV Patrol” opened the program on the official ABS-CBN News website and the Facebook and YouTube pages, ANC and the streaming service iWant. Abroad, it was also broadcast live via The Filipino Channel.
For Filipinos who have long relied on “TV Patrol” for information, Thursday night that meant trading in their TV viewing for streaming through their smartphones, tablets or computers.
In photos tagging the social media pages of “TV Patrol,” viewers shared their home setup to keep up with the news. One family had a phone screen on their dining table, while others had YouTube live streaming on their smart TVs.
Ayaw paawat ng nanay ko, pa shoulder bag. Hahahahahahaha pic.twitter.com/w46Oq5yEO2
– Old Fashioned Potato (@ChiefPeddler) May 7, 2020
These images were just a few of the millions of Filipinos who connected with the return of “TV Patrol”.
On Facebook, the news feed reached 7.5 million views in just a few hours. Its concurrent viewers, or the number of people watching at the same time, peaked at around 218,000.
On YouTube, the live stream had more than 73,000 top contenders, with a total of 720,000 plays, at the time of writing.
What is considered a historic transition for the Philippines ‘main newscast undoubtedly explains, in part, “TV Patrol”‘ s strong viewership online Thursday. “TV Patrol,” before ABS-CBN’s broadcast was closed, was the No. 1 cohesive news program nationwide, rarely ranking below 3rd on the list, according to Kantar Media.
The return of “TV Patrol” was similarly celebrated on Twitter, as the program’s title topped the list of hot topics in the Philippines, with comments ranging from “revenge” memes to those highlighting the vital role of the media, especially during a public health crisis. .
Here are a few:
#TVPatrol topping PH Twitter trends as ABS-CBN’s flagship newsletter returns 2 days after the network was forced to stop broadcasting on TV and radio stations nationwide. https://t.co/artVvBm5NXhttps://t.co/emkl07XIEw
Facebook: https://t.co/RtFGFiEDCw
Youtube: https://t.co/s0i79VdVfe pic.twitter.com/phdcaaPiuP– ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) May 7, 2020
SLAAAAAAAAY !! ?? #TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/viXlx9Mihj
– AJ Dela Cruz (@an_drewjames) May 7, 2020
Our television is off. Like normal nights we dine watching #TVPatrol @ABSCBNNews #NoToABSCBNShutDown #DefendPressFreedom pic.twitter.com/wIcUO6bQT5
– J (@jomelness) May 7, 2020
Watch TV Patrol on Youtube using a smartTV. Just like watching a normal show. Proof that we are really moving towards digital TV and cable companies may become unnecessary in the future. Kaya gigil siguro in ABS. #TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/4udmJjUz9U
– Dominic Jake (@dominicjake) May 7, 2020
My mother watching #TVPatrol. ?? pic.twitter.com/8ibBrt8MAM
– Dark mode (@ scarface_28) May 7, 2020
When Kuya Kim said “Laban lang Kapamilya” in #TVPatrol Weather Forecast lang segment tonight. I seriously felt that.
Like a real family, ALWAYS AND FOREVER#TVPatrol #NoToABSCBNShutDown pic.twitter.com/xsnEcktByK
– My Forte (@MonforteKevin) May 7, 2020
The numbers don’t lie. #TVPatrol
These only represent people who have the privilege of having access to the Internet.
What about those in rural areas?#NoToABSCBNShutDown pic.twitter.com/dQp7yIxtzU
– Sean (@onemoreseans) May 7, 2020
The number of viewers is overwhelming.
ABS-CBN is still enjoyed by almost all Filipinos.#TVPatrol #NoToABSCBNShutDown pic.twitter.com/65LsWJOaDQ
– Randy Agulan (@ reago1203) May 7, 2020
Thank you #TVPatrol, you made my parents happy by posting on YouTube. ❤️💚💙 pic.twitter.com/WLnPjx9saF
– Jack (@ekswayz) May 7, 2020
I just checked out live viewers of TV Patrol atm. Wow. ??
And thank you, ANC for the broadcast! Di kumpleto ang gabi without #TVPatrol ?? pic.twitter.com/hLzckpBi3W
– AMETHYST (@amethystxmw) May 7, 2020
The government is working hard pero ABS-CBN is working hard. Bringing #TVPatrol on digital platforms is a brilliant initiative, especially in this time and age of social media. Although hindi lahat have access to the internet, it only shows their commitment. In the service of the Filipinos, they remain.
– Toni Delos Santos Jr. (@thisistonitoni) May 7, 2020
I was just watching #TVPatrol on TV before ABS-CBN ceases to be broadcast. Now, thanks to Facebook Live, I could watch again. Laban ABS-CBN. #NoToABSCBNShutDown pic.twitter.com/4htqC8TZPN
– JerMich1910 (@ jhem0119) May 7, 2020
Oo naman multitasking mom ko. Solid kapamilya eh. #TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/fsYH7rB5WK
– Ronamae Sulat (@sulatnironamae) May 7, 2020
Sobrang Saya is all I can say with tears of joy after watching TV Patrol ❤💙💚#TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/YXFmCKyL3V
– mcdooo (@ love_koto30) May 7, 2020
Ksm ko mga anak ko n nunuod, khit blita nlang pnonoorin nmin ok prin kesa WL request nl an may yanxi palace iblik nl khit s iwant tv nlang bsta tagalog .. pic.twitter.com/g7C3DzqhyZ
– jeneth reyes (@reyes_jeneth) May 7, 2020
211k are watching #TVPAtrol on Facebook pic.twitter.com/BSUFzb6R0j
– Ethan Miranda (@tristanfull) May 7, 2020
Looking at i want laptop then try ko rin on facebook on cell phone. Test for laptops with a laptop pic.twitter.com/Tv6WdIF4Oj
– COACHARLANDO (@PHsupplementMNL) May 7, 2020
The ABS-CBN News YouTube channel increased subscribers by 100,000 in just 2.5 days, or 33,000 per day from the previous daily count of 8,000. Its daily views also jumped to 8M per day. compared to the previous 3 to 4 M. Salamat po Kapamilya ❤️💚💙#TVPatrol #NoToABSCBNShutDown pic.twitter.com/i0aOEiqVV6
– Rjay Reyes (@ RjayReyes16) May 7, 2020
My mother at the ATM … pic.twitter.com/LMd9njzYKw
– Welcome 2020 (@LTfangurl) May 7, 2020
TV PATROL PARIN !!! ❤💚💙 thank you ANC#TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/Kxi8dxz01w
– (@ kiianhns239) May 7, 2020
my mother watching #TVPatrol Thank you #ABSCBN
we miss it kahit 1 night lang namin di napanood#ISstandWithABSCBN #NoToABSCBNShotDown #InTheServiceOfTheFilipino pic.twitter.com/bKktd1XQrf– anneagozar (@agozarmikaela) May 7, 2020
No ABS-CBN on TV? No problem. Thank you @TVPatrol . Sarap ulit kayo panoorin. We look forward to seeing you again on the air. ??#TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/sMaX7wKQha
-Royzer Blazer (@ 1D_RoyzerBlazer) May 7, 2020
Nw: TV Patrol via Livestream on Youtube. Abubwewe. ??#TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/9Dn0ye9e0o
– 👉👈 #NoToABSCBNShutdown (@ otepcuerdo253) May 7, 2020
GRABI !!!!
More than 200,000 spectators on FB Livestream
66,000 spectators on YT Livestream
Global Trends on Twitter.THERE IS NO DOUBT WHY EVERYONE SAYS ABS-CBN IS THEIR MAIN SOURCE OF INFORMATION !!!
AT THE SERVICE OF THE FILIPINOS, THEY REMAIN !!!!#TVPatrol
– SENADORA (@KenrRodriguez) May 7, 2020
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