The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the television industry, mirroring its impacts across all arts sectors, shutting down or delaying production of television programs in many countries with consequent negative impacts on revenues (through rights and advertising sales) and employment.
Such measures and changes have been done to appeal to mandates for social distancing and stay-at-home orders, as well as commitments by production companies and broadcasters to maintain the safety of all involved in production.
Ampere Analysis projected that the pandemic had delayed at least 60% of scripted television programming worldwide, including at least half of the programming originally scheduled to air in the second half of 2020. There had been a noticeable increase in non-scripted productions—including smaller-scale series capable of being produced remotely—that can be used to fill schedules until scripted programs resume production (noting that audiences may eventually become tired out by pandemic-themed programming).[1]
The animation industry remained largely unaffected, due to the ease of remote work by animators.[2]
The Australian Survivor: All Stars reunion episode filmed without an audience and was hosted by Osher Günsberg, rather than the series' regular host Jonathan LaPaglia, due to travel restrictions.[5] The eighth season of Australian Survivor, set to start filming in Fiji in April, was postponed following the federal government's decision to establish a Level 4 travel restrictions, heavily discouraging international travel (this was later upgraded to an outright ban of international travel).[6][7] The eighth and ninth seasons of Australian Survivor were eventually filmed in Outback Queensland. Network 10 also changed the race route for the fifth season of The Amazing Race Australia so that it would film only in Australia instead of internationally, but was later postponed due to interstate travel restrictions.[8][9]
The eighth season of The Bachelor suspended filming midway into the season.[10]Neighbours suspended filming for two days after a crew member came into contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus. Upon resuming production, Neighbours implemented new guidelines, including splitting its crews and avoiding intimate scenes between cast members.[11]
The Nine Network's Australian Ninja Warrior excluded audiences from attending tapings, with exception of the contestants' family members.[13]The Voice Australia postponed production due to international talent facing a two-week quarantine after arriving in Australia.[5]
The eleventh season of Gogglebox Australia filmed as normal prior to the beginning of the pandemic, with changes made to the show once the pandemic reached Australia. On April 10, following the beginning of the pandemic in Australia, cast members Mick and Di announced that they would be self-isolating for the remainder of the season;[14] whilst further changes to the show included Jad using video conferencing software on his laptop, allowing him to continue participating in the program with his best friend Matty and Sarah Marie (Matty's wife);[14] and 91-year old Emily (of the Silbery family) self-isolating, whilst her daughter Kerry and granddaughter Isabelle remained in weekly episodes for the remainder of the season.[14]
Filming on the Seven Network's Home and Away was suspended as of March 22. The network also removed the show from its schedule for three weeks and replaced it for the first two weeks with the news show The Latest,[15] and for the third week with the first week of the 8th season of House Rules. Production resumed on May 25.
Australia's Got Talent postponed production due to international talent facing a fourteen-day quarantine after arriving in Australia.[5]
The annual Channel Seven Perth Telethon, traditionally aired as a marathon 26 hour live broadcast, was instead reduced to two, 3 hour live primetime specials that aired on October 24 and 25, 2020. The specials had a greater focus on Western Australia-based performers and personalities due to interstate travel restrictions.[16]
As the government appeal Indonesians to "work, study, and pray at home", the Ministry of Education and Culture partners with TVRI to broadcast educational programming on a dedicated block Belajar dari Rumah on the network starting April 13, 2020. The block consists of kids program for preschools, instructional programming for elementary and high school students, and a parenting program on weekdays; as well as national movies at several weeknights and children, talkshow, and documentary programs at weekends.[17] The block is aired every day at 08.00 to 11.00 WIB and 21.30 to 23.30 WIB on several weeknights, and also broadcast on TV Edukasi.
A handful of anime studios have encouraged their employees to work from home although the employment of freelance animators in some studios has limited work disruption. Anime productions including A3! Season Spring & Summer, A Certain Scientific Railgun T, Infinite Dendrogram, Asteroid in Love, The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited were delayed apparently due to the pandemic. Productions which heavily rely on outsourcing in-between and coloring work to studios in China were the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to international travel restrictions making it impossible to physically deliver works across national boundary in person.[18]
On March 31, media outlets reported that Toei Company closed its Tokyo studio for disinfection after the lead actor of Mashin Sentai Kiramager, the 44th season of the long-time running Super Sentai series, Rio Komiya (Jūru Atsuta) tested positive for COVID-19 the previous day and halted production of the series.[19][20] However, on April 3, Toei released a statement that the studio was not closed despite what news and media outlets reported, citing the news as misinformation.[21] As of April 5, Komiya's health condition was improving,[22] and four days later, Komiya was discharged from the hospital and self-quarantined for two weeks.[23] On May 10, both Kiramager and Kamen Rider Zero-One, the 30th season of the long-time running Kamen Rider series was announced to be going on hiatus. In place of the standard weekly episodes, Kiramager will broadcast Episode ZERO, a prequel episode detailing events before the series, as well as the Director's Cut versions of the first two episodes, Kira Talk!, and the Jamental Institute. Kamen Rider Zero-One will be releasing five special episodes that recount the events of the episodes covered in the 35 episodes released before hiatus, with two of those episodes dubbed "President Special" that are from the perspective of Aruto Hiden and his secretary, Is, while the third episode dubbed "Shooting Special" will be from the perspective of Isamu Fuwa and Yua Yaiba.[24] On May 27, it was reported that Kamen Rider Zero-One would resume filming on June 1 following Japan lifting its state-of-emergency declaration two days prior, albeit with new guidelines to be used while shooting the remaining episodes.[25] On June 7, TV Asahi announced that Kiramager and Zero-One would return to their regular weekly episodes starting on June 21.[26]
On April 19, 2020, TV Tokyo, MediaNet & ShoPro announced that the Pokémon anime series would be going on hiatus, with production temporarily suspended. Reruns of old episodes began airing from April 26 to May 31, 2020; production staff later announced that new episodes would resume airing on June 7, 2020.[33] In addition, production for many Toei anime shows was suspended due to the pandemic, including Healin' Good Pretty Cure (at Episode 12) and Digimon Adventure: (at Episode 3).[34] As of April 19, 2020, Fuji TV, Toei Animation confirmed that the One Piece anime series would be going on recess, with production temporarily postponing new episodes and reruns of older episodes taking their place.[34] On April 26, 2020, Nippon Animation announced that broadcasting of new episodes of the Chibi Maruko-chan anime had been suspended indefinitely as a result of the virus first reaching Tokyo.[35] As a side note, as of April 26, 2020, there were a number of anime series with production pauses due to difficulties in supply and production, including some series like Black Clover, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Duel Masters King, Kingdom (Season 3), Major 2nd Season 2.
As of May 9, 2020, it was reported that nine anime series had completed production during the public health crisis.[36]
Malaysia suspended all active filming in March. On May 19, the government has given the green light for the filming industry to resume its activities after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.[37]
On March 18, 2020, GMA News TV and CNN Philippines announced that they will temporarily go off-air beginning March 19, with the latter going off as the Worldwide Corporate Center in Mandaluyong, where their newsroom and studios are based, is being disinfected after a confirmed case in the offices of one of the building's tenants.[46][47] The two networks eventually returned on March 20 and 23 respectively, with GMA News TV making way for a temporary full-time video simulcast of DZBB-AM and its studio programming.[48]
In an unrelated matter, ABS-CBN's broadcast licence was not renewed by its expiry date by Congress, and the company's free television and radio stations were hence forced off the air by the National Telecommunications Commission on May 5, 2020, to much domestic controversy and further worldwide attention when the European Parliament released a resolution that could lead to the revocation of GSP certifications of Filipino Products if the cases of journalist Maria Ressa were not dropped alongside the denial of the Philippine congress to grant ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year broadcasting franchise. The license revocation is believed to involve the network's critical news coverage of President Duterte's administration, along with overall inaction from the Congress of the Philippines to renew their broadcast license since the matter came up in 2016.[49][50] Although the reason for the closure is not directly due to COVID-19, some figures have expressed concern about its impact on public efforts to contain the pandemic. In a statement, ABS-CBN management said that "Millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment when ABS-CBN is ordered to go off-air on TV and radio tonight (5 May 2020) when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic".[51]
Furthermore, Albay Representative Joey Salceda warned that the network's shutdown could add up to 2,600 COVID-19 cases, as many viewers would lose a vital source of information on how to keep themselves safe during the pandemic.[52]Vice PresidentLeni Robredo (who does not share Duterte's party affiliation) questioned the move as she believes the network's operations have helped in efforts to contain COVID-19 more than the country's offshore gaming operations, and added that the shutdown could "cost lives on top of the thousands who will lose their jobs".[53] The company's premium networkABS-CBN News Channel is unaffected as a cable-only network, continuing to provide full news updates, along with ABS-CBN's social media accounts and YouTube channels, and its international networks, including The Filipino Channel. On May 8, 2020, the newscast of the network's flagship news programme, TV Patrol began to broadcast on ABS-CBN TV Plus channels TeleRadyo and Cine Mo!.[54]
Following the downgrade to general community quarantine, most shows continued their production with safety protocols, such as lock-in tapings in which artists are isolated in a bubble setup and are required to stay in nearby hotels for the duration of the taping cycles and wearing of face shields for certain in-studio programs.
On February 7, the government announced that the framework scheme Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) was raised to Orange,[57] while Suria held a live concert special celebrating the channel's 20th Anniversary, which was the last live program to have a live audience,[58] among which President of SingaporeHalimah Yacob was ushered as guest-of-honor.[59] The last three episodes of the 26th season of another live-broadcast Channel 8 game show, The Sheng Siong Show (with the first episode airing a day after on the 8th), began suspending their studio audience, though contestants are still invited on-stage for studio segments including the Thousandfold Cash Reward;[citation needed] previously live-broadcast programs airing at the time such as Te:Ra Seh 4.0 and Sinar Lebaran 2020, also followed suit and continued production without live audience.[60]
After Singapore enforced its lockdown restrictions (dubbed "Circuit Breaker") from April 7 to June 1, Suria and Vasantham both began their broadcasts earlier at 9am starting April 8, and new local shows featuring celebrities premiered on morning and afternoon timeslots on April 9.[61][62] However, some reruns on the afternoon were pre-empt on certain days to broadcast update messages delivered by Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong. On April 12, Channel 5 brought the airing for the 2019 film Spider-Man: Far From Home earlier as opposed to a 2-3 year average gap as other films recently aired.[63] Prior to the period, medical-themed dramas Big White Duel and My Guardian Angels were premiered as 7:30pm and 9pm dramas on Channel 8 respectively to raise awareness. Another medical-theme drama, You Can Be an Angel 3 began reruns from May 29 at 5:30pm, after the finales of My Guardian Angels and Big White Duel on May 15 and 26, respectively.
Many other Singaporean shows have also postponed production or delayed broadcast to a later date, such as the monthly crime documentary television series CrimeWatch, annual Star Awards ceremony (initially on April 26 before being moved to 2021)[64][65] and the 27th season of The Sheng Siong Show (postponed from May 9 to June 6).[66] Since the suspension of production of local dramas, Channel 8 had begun airing international dramas asn replacements for local drama series on the 7:30pm and 9pm, starting with Heart and Greed and Sky Castle, as well as the Mandarin dubbing drama Titoudao: Inspired by the True Story of a Wayang Star.
On April 25 at 7:55pm (SGT), all Mediacorp channels aired a short five-minute sing-along music video of celebrities and musicians singing a rendition of Kit Chan's "Home" as a tribute to commemorate the efforts of frontline and migrant workers during the outbreak.[67][68] On June 1 at 7:30pm (SGT), a second video short titled Stronger As One was broadcast on all Mediacorp channels, paying tribute to the current events and featured the sing-along segment of Stephanie Sun's "We Will Get There".[69]
Both pay televisions by StarHub and SingTel (and along with their respective apps StarHub GO and CAST) also announced free preview screening during the lockdown from March 20 to June 1,[70] and from April 1 to June 30,[71] respectively.[72] On June 2, after the lockdown was eased in Singapore, StarHub further extended the free preview until June 30.
Many shows continued as planned, however traveling or outside shows such as SBS' Running Man, KBS 2TV's 2 Days & 1 Night, and MBC's Real Man 300 were suspended. Many shows accepted fewer spectators, to allow for social distancing, such as KBS 2TV's Immortal Songs, You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook, and MBC's King of Mask Singer. Mnet's competition series such as Road to Kingdom (a sequel to Queendom) and Good Girl changed completely, using one set instead of two, and have no live shows. They also changed the process of voting on the shows, so only competitors may vote.
Since the start of the national lockdown in Argentina, broadcast television in the country saw a 30% increase of viewership during the week between March 17 and 22. The networks increased the airtime of talk shows and news programming, while reality shows were still in production.[73][74][75]
A fundraising special show aimed to the Red Cross for supplying hospitals and health centers aired throughout all six broadcast networks on April 5. The show, called "United for Argentina", included celebrities and famous people from the Argentine media. Donations reached a total of $87,938,624.[76]
The only telenovela that was airing on broadcast television before the beginning of the pandemic, Separadas (from El Trece), was removed from the schedule after its March 19 airing and production was suspended temporarily.[77] Two months later, producing company Pol-Ka definitely cancelled the show due to "economic reasons", leaving Argentine television without any scripted programming.[78]
The first cases of COVID-19 reached Argentine television in June.[79] Producers from Telefe's game show El Precio Justo were diagnosed, making the show to enter on hiatus and schedule reruns to air instead.[80]El Precio Justo's hostess Lizy Tagliani later reported that she was diagnosed positive for COVID-19. Telefe also announced that talk show Cortá por Lozano would be broadcast with the hostess and panelists from their homes as a preventive measure.[81] News channel C5N had to implement a protocol to prevent new infections after one of their journalists tested positive for COVID-19.[82]
Brazil
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TV Globo shifted their programming schedule by expanding their regular news programming and cutting entertainment programming.[83] This included the suspension of the filming of the network's telenovelas for the safety of cast and crew.[84] Because of this, the currently-running 9pm telenovelaAmor de Mãe was replaced by the 2011 series Fina Estampa, the 7:30pm current series Salve-se Quem Puder was replaced with the 2015 series Totalmente Demais and debut of the upcoming 6pm series Nos Tempos do Imperador was postponed, with the 2017 series Novo Mundo airing on its place.[85] Journalists for the network over the age of sixty were told to telework.[86]
Mexico
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In Mexico, as the health crisis expands, it seems that there will be inevitable changes to the broadcasting schedule. Unfortunately, as the health crisis has expanded in Spain and Brazil, it is difficult to broadcast overseas sports leagues, and it is expected that there will be some influence on the production of telenovelas. In addition, since the number of diagnostic tests of per population is relatively small, it is unlikely that there will be a small number of Mexican broadcasters among the suspected patient or potentially infected population, as it is difficult to say that the situation inside Mexico is better than other developing countries. However, it is believed that the minimum number of broadcasting personnel is contributing to the operation of broadcasting companies, as all broadcasting stations seek to slow dawn and minimize and spread infection.[citation needed]
As in other regions, the pandemic has forced the modification of television production in Canada, including programs being reformatted to not use studio audiences or be produced remotely,[87] and the suspension of filming for international scripted productions taking place in the country — such as Vancouver-based productions of The CW's Batwoman, The Flash,Riverdale, and Supernatural,[88][89][90] as well as Snowpiercer and See.[90] On March 24, 2020, production of the eighth season of Big Brother Canada ended, and a season finale aired on April 1 with no winner declared.[91]
Both the Juno Awards[92] and the Canadian Screen Awards,[93] which were scheduled to be televised in March, were cancelled. The Canadian Screen Awards ultimately announced their winners via livestreaming in the week of May 25 to 28,[94] while the Junos were presented in an online event on June 29. The 22nd Quebec Cinema Awards were also cancelled, with organizers announcing winners via livestreaming on June 10.[95]
To widen their availability, the CBC and Bell Media made their news channels, CBC News Network, CP24, CTV News Channel, and Ici RDI available as free previews on pay television providers, and freely available for streaming online without TV Everywhere authentication.[100][101] Due to resource constraints, the CBC temporarily replaced its local evening newscasts with a simulcast from CBC News Network combining content from local and national journalists from across the country,[102] a decision that was criticized by the Premier of Prince Edward Island Dennis King (CBC News: Compass is the province's only local daily television news program).[103] By the end of March, however, local news service began to be restored in most markets.[104]
The benefit event Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble aired across most major Canadian broadcasters on April 26; with around 11.5 million viewers, it was the most-watched non-sports telecast in Canadian history.[105] On May 22, CTV aired the special Unsinkable Youth, hosted by Silken Laumann and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in partnership with Kids Help Phone to promote awareness of youth mental health in the wake of the pandemic.[106] and WE Celebrate: Class of 2020 on June 6, hosted by Lilly Singh.[107]
In mid-August 2020, it was reported that local unions had resolved an impasse with U.S. studios over safety and testing protocols for their Vancouver-based productions.[108]
The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most impactful event to U.S. television production since the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike,[109] which disrupted nearly all scripted television production.[110] Upon the beginning of restrictions and stay-at-home orders that resulted in an industry-wide shutdown of nearly all television production,[111] networks were dependent on their remaining inventory of completed programs that had not yet aired (resulting in some completed programs being delayed to air as contingencies in place of other programs),[112][113][114] the remaining completed episodes of series whose production was interrupted,[110] programs designed for or capable of being adapted for remote production — including talk shows, unscripted programs, one-off entertainment specials (such as the multi-network simulcast One World: Together at Home)[115][116] and esports events as alternatives to cancelled or delayed professional sports.[117]
On May 22, Georgia became the first U.S. state to release guidelines for safety protocols during film and television production.[118] California began to authorize the resumption of film and television production on June 12;[119] the Big Three networks'soap operas were among the first to resume production (with The Bold and the Beautiful resuming first-run episodes in July).[120][121][122][123]Tyler Perry completed production on the next seasons of his BET dramas Sistas and The Oval in July and August respectively at his Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios complex using a "bubble" strategy, with Sistas being the first U.S. scripted primetime series to complete a season of production under COVID-19 safety protocols.[124]
Some late-night talk shows began to migrate from home-based formats in July, returning to new or re-configured studios with no studio audience, and continued use of remote interviews for guests.[126][127][128] Other reality series that were suspended or delayed due to the pandemic, such as America's Got Talent,[129]Big Brother,[130] and Love Island,[131] also began the process of returning to air with additional safety measures in place (and in the case of AGT and Love Island, being filmed from different locations than they usually are).[129][131]
The fall schedules of the major broadcast networks have been impacted by production delays and other contingencies, relying more on acquisitions and imports new to U.S. broadcast TV, deferred and/or postponed summer series, and other non-scripted output (which have a faster turnaround time) to fill timeslots until scripted series can return to air.[132][133][134][135]
Europe
On March 18, 2020, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 would be cancelled; it was scheduled to take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on May 12, 14 and 16. Rotterdam remained host of the 2021 contest on 18, 20, and May 22, 2021, and countries were required to submit new entries; many countries announced plans to retain their selected artists for 2020 with new songs for 2021.[136] The EBU announced that it would air a non-competitive special on May 16 (the original date of the 2020 final), Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light, featuring the artists that were set to participate.[137]
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Warsaw, Poland went ahead in a remote format, with most acts performing from studios in their home country. In September 2020, the EBU announced that the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 would have contingency plans allowing for such a format as a last resort, but with other options available, including a less-crowded production with a limited audience, and the option for countries to perform remotely if their act cannot travel to the Netherlands.[138][139]
A lockdown in Belgium influenced local studio Woestijnvis (of The Mole fame) to produce The Container Cup, a sports competition series where equipment is delivered to contestants' homes in camera-equipped shipping containers. Proving popular, the series has been optioned and sold internationally in markets such as Italy, Spain, and the United States.[140]
France
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As the public health crisis expanded significantly in Germany, there were cases where scheduled broadcasts were postponed or suspended and proceeded without the audience.[141][142][143][144]
Netherlands
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Dutch reality series Wie is de Mol?, which films its finale episode in front of a crowd in Vondelpark, decided to film without an audience for its twentieth season.[145] Starting on March 15, satirical television programme Zondag met Lubach began filming without an audience.[146] Production of the daily soap Goede tijden, slechte tijden suspended with the show's channel deciding to broadcast four episodes per week from March 23 instead of five.[147]
Spain
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Also, TV game shows like the Spanish adaptation of The Chase (El Cazador) were suspended or are using archived episodes like Saber y ganar, Ahora caigo, ¡Boom! and La ruleta de la suerte.
As well, TV series are suspended and/or in hiatus, like the recordings of the final season of La que se avecina or the 2nd season of Señoras del (h)ampa. Veneno, biographical series about the life and death of Cristina Ortiz, La Veneno, will only premiere in Atresplayer Premium with 1 of the 8 episodes on March 29, 2020, leaving the rest of episodes unaired until further notice.[151]
United Kingdom
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The BBC announced that it would devote resources to providing educational programmes as a supplement to cancelled classes beginning April 20, including 14 weeks of "core subject learning". This included Bitesize Daily (daily 20-minute programmes on the iPlayer for six age groups), a weekday strand on BBC Four catered towards GCSE and A-levels, and other digital content via BBC Sounds and Red Button.[158][159]
On May 12, it was reported that the British government would allow scripted television production to resume if safety precautions are instituted.[164]Emmerdale and Coronation Street were among the first scripted series to resume.[165] In July 2020, The War of the Worlds became the first British drama series to resume production.[166] Several non-scripted programs normally produced in other countries were re-located domestically, including I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! — whose twentieth series moved from Australia to Gwrych Castle in Wales, and The Wall – which moved to Wembley Arena after having filmed its first series at an Endemol Shine hub in Poland.[167][168][169]Sky Studios is pausing production of all domestic dramas that involve international filming through at least spring 2021.[170] On December 13, 2021, the BFI announced that a record £4bn recovery was spent on television production in the UK. TV production slumped during the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The £4bn in 2021 was compared to the £2.3bn figures spent in the same period between 2018-19.[171]
MENASA
Bangladesh
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of televising productions came to a halt in Bangladesh. The state television re-aired old shows such as Songsoptok, Ei Shob Din Ratri, Bohubrihi, and Kothao Keu Nei.[172] Old episodes of Ityadi were also re-aired.
India
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All television and film and production in India was halted on March 19, 2020.[173]
According to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, filming, post-production work, and movie theaters began to reopen in phases beginning in June.[174]
Tamil satellite channel Sun TV abruptly officially ended four of its running television soap operas such as Chocolate, Azhagu, Kalyana Parisu and Tamil Selvi owing to COVID-19 lockdown in India which also resulted in inter-district ban and due to artists refusing to shoot for the relevant television serials amid COVID-19 fears.[175] Alongside Sun TV, other satellite television channels Star Vijay, Zee Tamil and Colors Tamil also started airing old television serials and movies from March 23, 2020.[176]Tamil Nadu state government granted permission to start shooting for the television soap operas in the mid of May 2020 (May 21, 2020) with allowing only a maximum of 20 cast artists in indoors and cautioned to maintain strict health guidelines during shooting procedures.[177][178][179] As of May 25, 2020, shooting of television soap operas commenced but government in Tamil Nadu imposed another lockdown between June 19 to 30 which resulted in yet another halting of television production.[180][181][182] However, on July 7, 2020, most of the shooting of television soap operas resumed again to telecast all new episodes.[183][184][185]
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Following a campaign started by the cast and crew members of various TV series, many networks temporarily suspended the production of their TV shows and programs until further notice.[192] A few number of TV series, however, still continue to be produced.[193]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Ethiopia
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Nigeria
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South Africa
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Many telenovelas announced an indefinite filming break, causing shows that were planning to shoot to cancel production as television programs faced a sudden reschedule. As South Africa began to ease restrictions starting on May 1, telenovelas and the TV industry as a whole were allowed to film, but only following social distancing rules. During the pandemic, TV news thrived as most South Africans received their information about the pandemic leading to increased ratings to news media. [citation needed]
Affected productions
As of 2=MDY, a number of television shows announced that production was either delayed or stopped completely.[194] Some shows continue with production but without a studio audience, and some shows would have reruns, since some shows could finish their seasons earlier than expected due to being unable to finish production for telecasting.
Suspended and/or postponed
Unscripted
NOTE: Some non-English language shows that are adaptations of international formats are referred by their English-language franchise name. For example, all international various of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? will be listed by that name, along with their country. Further, all programming from the Philippines's ABS-CBN were suspended from May 5 to June 13 due to their broadcast license having not been renewed in an unrelated matter.
Season 5 was originally intended to travel in Australia, India, Armenia, Georgia, Switzerland, Brazil, and Mexico; but was changed to race entirely in Australia amid international travel restrictions; however, production was later postponed due to interstate travel restrictions. Production later commenced in October 2020.
Season 8 production postponed indefinitely until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada causing Canada's borders closed amid travel restrictions in selected provinces. Production of the 8th season was ultimately held in March 2022.
Production suspended, replaced temporarily by replays of 2019 and later prods via best of compilation episodes for first two weeks, then later resumed remotely for subsequent episodes, but on April 9, 2020, it was temporarily moved to 2:30pm and shortened to 1 hour, with its remaining airtime being used temporarily for a one-movie extension of Kapamilya Blockbusters Family Weekend. Resumed production in-studio without audience on June 14.
Season 8 production suspended midway into filming on March 25, sending contestants home. Full on-location filming resumed on July 5. Two lockdown episodes (referred to "Love In Lockdown" on the show) were produced during the hiatus.
Season 12 production suspended for two days, after a member of production had been exposed to a confirmed positive case. Game events (challenges and eliminations) were stopped during the hiatus with contestants still being recorded via unmanned cameras.
Season 5 was due to premiere on March 22, 2020; postponed to April 26, 2020, with a special quarantined set of episodes (titled BB Zoom) starting the series before the contestants moved into the house.
Production suspended, replaced temporarily by replays of previous episodes, resumed remotely on April 13 for partial segments, also from April 29, 2020, until the shutdown of ABS-CBN, the show was temporarily reduced to 1 hour with its remaining airtime being used for an extension of Kapamilya Blockbusters.
Season 8 (Brains V Brawn) production postponed amid international travel restrictions. This season was produced in mid-2021, in an Outback location near the town of Cloncurry, Queensland and aired in late 2021. Season 9 (Blood V Water) was also held domestically.
Series 9 production suspended; semi-finals and finals competitions have been postponed to November 7, 2020, and sending contestants home, coach Meghan Trainor will be conducted remotely in her Los Angeles home
Season 2 production suspended, despite already taping all episodes prior to the enhanced community quarantine, sending contestants home; the Saturday telecast and the first hour of the Sunday telecast was replaced temporarily by season 1 of Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Philippines and the second hour of the Sunday telecast was temporarily replaced with season 6 of Pilipinas Got Talent
Production suspended. Replaced by Fina Estampa and A Força do Querer. Production resumed in August 2020 and wrapped two months later. Resumed airing on March 1, 2021, with new episodes starting March 15. Finished its run on April 9.
Production postponed to 2021, began in May 2021 with a lock-in taping in place but briefly suspended in August 2021 due to the Delta variant resulted in the enhanced community quarantine in the country
On March 18, 2020; Funimation announced that their same-day English dubbing and broadcast of domestic Japanese anime would be delayed for the remainder of the Winter season as well as upcoming seasons, but they stated that simulcasts in English subtitles will continue as scheduled. Later on April 11, 2020; Funimation announced that their same-day dubs slowly resumed production on a work-from-home basis.[271][272] On March 27, 2020, Crunchyroll announced that they would also delay English dubbing of their licensed anime series as a result of the pandemic.[273] On April 2, 2020, Sentai Filmworks' HIDIVE announced that they will also be delaying dubbed titles until further notice.[274] In early April 2020, many anime series were revealed to be postponed from their intended broadcast dates due to Japan declaring a state of emergency on April 6, 2020, because of the increase of cases in the nation.[275] On April 19, 2020, TV Tokyo, MediaNet & ShoPro announced that the Pokémon anime series will be going on hiatus, with production on the TV anime series suspended, and in its place it will rerun the old episodes on all networks and on TV Tokyo starting April 26, 2020, due to the complicated COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. It has not been stated when new episodes will air, but the staff said that they will make an announcement once they receive information on a return date.[33] On April 20, 2020, Toei Animation announced that their shows: One Piece, Pretty Cure, and Digimon, were also suspended.[34] Production of Sazae-san was also suspended, while studios relying on computer-generated imagery faced excessive bandwidth use when employees at home tried to access company servers at the same time.[276]
These tables include series that adopted remotely-filmed and home-based productions for one or more episodes, or are using studio-based productions with additional safety protocols, such as reduced staff, lack of studio audience, and/or visible social distancing.
Season 8 discontinued during week 4 on March 24, 2020, reduced from 83 to 25 days; season ending early and sending contestants home. There was no winner for this season.
Renewed as main MasterChef Australia series was produced in compliance with Social Distancing requirements. Season 3 will be the first season since 2011.
TV5 is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network headquartered in Mandaluyong, with additional studios in Novaliches, Quezon City. It serves as the flagship network of TV5 Network, Inc., which is owned by MediaQuest Holdings, the multimedia subsidiary of the telecommunications conglomerate PLDT. TV5 is popularly known as "The Kapatid Network", using the Filipino term for "sibling," a branding introduced in 2010.
Bandila (transl. flag) is a Philippine television news broadcasting show broadcast by ABS-CBN. Originally anchored by Korina Sanchez, Henry Omaga-Diaz and Ces Drilon, it aired on the network's Primetime Bida line up from July 3, 2006, to March 17, 2020, replacing ABS-CBN Insider and was replaced by The World Tonight. Julius Babao and Karen Davila served as the final anchors.
The World Tonight is a Philippine television news broadcasting show broadcast by ABS-CBN, ANC and Kapamilya Channel. Originally anchored by Hal Bowie and Henry Halasan, it aired on the network's nighttime line-up from November 21, 1966 to September 22, 1972. The newscast returned on ABS-CBN from September 15, 1986 to August 13, 1999. The show began broadcasting on ANC on May 1, 1996, followed by a broadcast on Kapamilya Channel on July 27, 2020. Tony Velasquez and Pia Gutierrez currently serve as the anchors. It is the longest-running news broadcasting show in the Philippines.
Kapamilya Channel is a 24-hour Philippine pay television network owned and operated by ABS-CBN Corporation, a subsidiary of the Lopez Holdings Corporation. The network's headquarters are located at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City. It serves as the flagship TV network of ABS-CBN Corporation.
TeleRadyo Serbisyo is a Philippine pay television channel owned by Media Serbisyo Production Corporation, a joint venture between Prime Media Holdings and ABS-CBN Corporation, with ABS-CBN News as its main content provider, and is available on cable providers throughout the Philippines. TeleRadyo Serbisyo is also simulcasted via The Filipino Channel (TFC) and it can be heard and viewed online via its YouTube channel and iWantTFC. TeleRadyo was also included as a digital subchannel on digital terrestrial television seen via the ABS-CBN TVplus digital TV receivers and other digital TV boxes, until its discontinuation on November 1, 2022. However, on May 27, 2024, the channel resumed its digital free-to-air broadcast via Prime TV's feed. The channel was previously used to simulcast the programs of ABS-CBN's flagship AM radio station, DZMM 630 before the latter went off the air on May 5, 2020 due to a cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission together with ABS-CBN, S+A, and MOR Philippines. The channel went back on-air and online on May 8, 2020 as TeleRadyo, resuming the programming of the former DZMM. On June 28, 2021, TeleRadyo started to broadcast in high-definition feed on YouTube and Facebook while selected shows are being broadcast on Kapamilya Channel and The Filipino Channel in HD. The channel rebranded to TeleRadyo Serbisyo on June 30, 2023 coinciding with the launch of its radio counterpart Radyo 630 under the joint venture of Prime Media and ABS-CBN.
Rated Korina, formerly Rated K, is a Philippine television news magazine show broadcast by ABS-CBN, TV5 and Kapamilya Channel. Hosted by Korina Sanchez, it aired on the network's Sunday evening line-up from May 30, 2004 to May 3, 2020, replacing Sharon and was replaced by Iba 'Yan. The show returned on TV5 on October 24, 2020, followed by a broadcast on Kapamilya Channel on June 19, 2021, replacing Super Kapamilya Blockbusters.
S.O.C.O.: Scene of the Crime Operatives is a Philippine television investigative docudrama show broadcast by ABS-CBN and Kapamilya Channel. Hosted by Gus Abelgas, it aired from November 23, 2005, to October 17, 2020, replacing Private I and was replaced by the third season of I Can See Your Voice in Kadenang Ginto: The Golden Comeback moved to afternoon timeslot. The program primarily aims to find answers to serious crimes with the help of forensic investigators and the local police. The show did not eventually return as Abelgas transferred to TV5 on July 13, 2023.
It's Showtime is a Philippine television variety show broadcast originally broadcast by ABS-CBN and later Kapamilya Channel. Originally hosted by Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Kim Atienza, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, and Vice Ganda, it premiered on October 24, 2009 on ABS-CBN's Unli PrimeTanghali line up replacing Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?. The current hosts include Navarro, Curtis, Jugueta, Corpuz, Vice Ganda, Karylle, Jhong Hilario, Ryan Bang, Amy Perez, Ion Perez, Jackie Gonzaga, Kim Chiu, Ogie Alcasid, MC "Muah" Calaquian, Lassy Marquez, Cianne Dominguez and Darren Espanto.
ASAP is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by ABS-CBN and Kapamilya Channel. Originally hosted by Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ariel Rivera and Dayanara Torres, it premiered on February 5, 1995 on the network's Sunday noontime line up replacing Sa Linggo nAPO Sila. Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Kim Chiu, Enchong Dee, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, and Janine Gutierrez currently serve as the hosts. It is the longest-running Sunday noontime variety show on Philippine television.
Ipaglaban Mo!, also known as Kapag Nasa Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo! or Kapag May Katwiran... Ipaglaban Mo!, is a Philippine television public service and advocacy-driven legal drama anthology show broadcast by IBC, ABS-CBN, GMA News TV and Kapamilya Channel under ABS-CBN Studios, featuring dramatizations of actual cases brought and settled in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals of the Philippines. It aired from June 13, 1988 to March 7, 1999. The show returned from June 7, 2014 to July 5, 2020, replacing Sabado Specials: Shake, Rattle & Roll.
Magandang Buhay is a Philippine television talk show that premiered on April 18, 2016. The show was originally broadcast on ABS-CBN until the network's shutdown in 2020. It is currently broadcast on Kapamilya Channel and A2Z, and airs every Monday to Friday at 09:00 (PST).
Kuha Mo! is a Philippine television public service show broadcast by ABS-CBN and Kapamilya Channel. Hosted by Anthony Taberna, it aired on the network's Yes Weekend Saturday afternoon line up from April 27, 2019, to July 25, 2020, replacing DocuCentral Presents.
Blue Lynx is a Japanese anime label and subsidiary of Fuji TV. Founded in 2019, the label produces boys' love (yaoi) anime films exclusively.
The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 2020. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well as information about controversies and carriage disputes.
The second season of the Philippine reality singing competition The Voice Teens aired on ABS-CBN and Kapamilya Channel from February 8 to August 16, 2020, replacing Your Moment and was replaced by Kadenang Ginto: The Golden Comeback. Lea Salonga, Bamboo Mañalac and Sarah Geronimo returned to the show as coaches. The Voice of the Philippines coach apl.de.ap returned to the franchise after four years of hiatus, replacing Sharon Cuneta. The show is hosted by Alex Gonzaga and Luis Manzano – the two have previously worked together as hosts of the first season of The Voice Kids.
Ang sa Iyo ay Akin is a Philippine television drama series broadcast Kapamilya Channel. Directed by FM Reyes and Avel E. Sunpongco, it stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Iza Calzado and Sam Milby. It aired on the network's Primetime Bida line up and worldwide on TFC from August 17, 2020, to March 19, 2021, taking the timeslot last occupied by Starla and The World of the Married and was replaced by Huwag Kang Mangamba.
The enhanced community quarantine in Luzon was a series of stay-at-home orders and cordon sanitaire measures implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on the island of Luzon and its associated islands. It is part of the COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines, a larger scale of COVID-19 containment measures with varying degrees of strictness. The "enhanced community quarantine" (ECQ) is the strictest of these measures and is effectively a total lockdown.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 substantially impacted the American television industry.
ABS-CBN was a Philippine commercial broadcast network that served as the flagship property of the ABS-CBN Corporation, a company under the Lopez Group owned by the López family. The ABS-CBN media conglomerate is the largest entertainment and media conglomerate in the Philippines.
↑ "「魔進戦隊キラメイジャー」主人公役の小宮璃央が新型コロナ感染"["Mashin Sentai Kira Major" protagonist Rio Komiya infected with a new corona virus] (in Japanese). Livedoor. March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
↑ "『仮面ライダーゼロワン』撮影スケジュール変更で総集編を放送 - イズの変化、新録ナレにドラマ"["Kamen Rider Zero One" broadcasts the omnibus by changing the shooting schedule-change of Iz, drama in new recording] (in Japanese). MyNavi. May 10, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
↑ "テレ朝系「仮面ライダーゼロワン」、６・１撮影再開へガイドライン作成"[TV Asahi "Kamen Rider Zero One", guideline preparation to resume 6.1 shooting]. Sanspo (in Japanese). May 27, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
↑ "ついに！6月21日（日）から2大ヒーロー新作放送再開!!"[Finally! On June 21, two big heroes will resume broadcasting!!] (in Japanese). TV Asahi. June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
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