ABS-CBN has announced that artists with currently airing shows and their talent managers have agreed to take a cut in the talent fees to help the embattled network “deal with the impact of the shutdown of its TV and radio operations.”
“We are grateful to all our artists for their understanding and support for the network during these difficult times. We thank them for keeping the passion and commitment to bring joy and entertainment to our audience in the midst of the pandemic and the shutdown,” said ABS-CBN chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes in media statement on Saturday.
The reduction in talent fees is one of the “cost-saving measures undertaken by ABS-CBN as it continues to lose P30 to 35 million in daily advertising revenues due to the broadcast shutdown, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to stricter production guidelines for tapings and staging of live entertainment shows,” the media statement further said.
Meanwhile, Professional Artist Managers Inc. (PAMI) president June Rufino said that their group of talent managers understands ABS-CBN’s situation and did not object to the move.
Rufino added that PAMI members acknowledge the support, professional development and job opportunities that the network has given to their talents through the years.
“In good times, ABS-CBN has been with us. In bad times, we want to be there for them. Ngayon alam nila, wala ang ABS-CBN. Naiintindihan nila iyon. We want to cooperate. We want to help ABS-CBN in whatever way we can and taking a pay cut is one way to do that,” Rufino said.
The network recently brought back on air some of its teleseryes and live entertainment shows via the new Kapamilya Channel on cable and satellite TV nationwide.
These include FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, A Soldier’s Heart, Love Thy Woman, Magandang Buhay, The Voice Teens, ASAP Natin ‘To and It’s Showtime. It also launched two new shows, namely Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan”and Iba Yan. The Kapamilya Channel is also available on the ABS-CBN streaming service iWant.
