Is “Encantadia” hurting the GMA Telebabad block?

In order to remake GMA Network’s classic fantaserye Encantadia, some other locally-produced telenovelas were sacrificed in the process.

Encantadia‘s inclusion into the GMA Telebabad block caused two series to bid farewell. Before Encatadia debuted on Monday, July 18, Poor Senorita had its final episode on Friday, July 15. And just last Friday. July 22, another Kapuso series, Once Again also aired its last episode. Starting Monday, July 25, the two will be replaced by Koreanovelas which costs less than the locally-produced series.

According to a report by PEP.ph, Encantadia‘s budget is equivalent to three non-primetime shows or two regular primetime shows. That was disclosed by no less than Encantadia‘s director Mark Reyes.

“‘We’re double the size or triple the size of a regular show. The scope is big; you saw the pilot,” said Reyes.

Because of the enormous cost, GMA Network had no choice but to cancel the two local telenovelas and replace it with Koreanovelas.

While its pilot episode fared well in the ratings, beating its rival FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, it didn’t last long as it lost to the Kapamilya teleserye the next day. Encantadia was trumped by FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano for the rest of its pilot week, hurting GMA Network’s goal to bring back its glory days in primetime programming.

But it’s not only Encantadia that is hurting GMA Network.

In an article by From The Tube, Encantadia and all fantaseryes they’ve produced in the past years have taken a serious toll on the network’s finances.

According to the article, GMA Network’s big budgeted fantaseryes have taken the network’s “ability to spend on updated equipment, facilities and other production and talent matters was compromised in the long term.”

Proof of this is GMA Network’s lack of an independent sports division compared to ABS-CBN Sports and Sports5. GMA Network also continues to broadcast in Standard definition while ABS-CBN now operates in HD. GMA has also lagged behind in comparison to its competitors in terms of Digital TV Channels, Cable and Satellite TV Subscription service, and Video-on-demand, livestream, and digital-exclusive online service.

With its big budget and less than promising pilot week ratings, can GMA sustain Encantadia for long?