Philippine Television, sixty years after its birth, does not have a traditional “TV season” similar to how things are done over at the US where they air new and returning shows September of every year. However, January seems to be the most logical month for Philippine TV networks to start the year in premiering the first batch of their new shows, composed mostly dramas and reality, in the hopes of garnering good ratings (a.k.a. first place in their respective slots). This year, with the special 90-minute premiere of TV5‘s Kidlat this Sunday, January 6, the netlet officially kicks off this year’s Philippine 60th TV season.

The main difference now is that with added competition with cable nets and their increasing output of original programming as well as the entry of domestic news channels alongside previously lonesome ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel); not to mention TV5′s aggressive programming moves to challenge ABS and GMA, Philippine TV is in for an interesting TV season.

On today’s post, we’ll take a look on GMA Network‘s current line-up, with carry-overs from last year and new shows taking over within the first three months of 2013.

GMA has always been on a boastful mood in showing off their dominance in the ratings race ever since taking over first place supremacy over rival ABS-CBN in 2004. Over the next decade since, their production output of entertainment and news programs have increased, most significantly on the drama side when they took over daytime soap duties from blocktimers Focus Entertainment and TAPE, Inc. around 2009.

However, they have a high intolerance over underperforming shows, which despite getting a second place finish in their timeslot, gets either moved to another time period or completely yanked out from the network’s schedule.

GMA didn’t expect ABS to get back at them when the latter cooked up what could be the best daytime programming line-up they had in years: two dramas (one foreign, the other an original production), and a reality competition show. So far, the move left a big gaping hole in GMA’s morning schedule, despite attempts of timeslot switches and extending its utility children’s programming block to soften the blow.

Adding to pressure of keeping its lead on daytime is the move of Willie Revillame‘s TV5 game show to 11:30am, against long-running behemoth Eat Bulaga on January 14.

On the primetime side, despite casting Jedi mind tricks to spin viewers, GMA did not completely dominated primetime for the entirety of the 2012 season. Rival shows like Walang Hanggan, Princess and I, and Ina Kapatid Anak were able to challenge Kapuso dramas like Aso ni San Roque, Pahiram ng Sandali and Luna Blanca.

As many of their carry-over shows from the previous are ending their runs within the first quarter (with the first one to go being Aso ni San Roque), GMA already have some shows ready to take their place. So far, Indio and Forever are being prepped up for their respective premiere within the next few weeks. Others, including a game show, have been announced but no other details have been released as of this writing.

GMA is also going to roll in Korean dramas into on its weekday schedule. Shows the network have in stock are Big, Padam Padam, Innocent Man, and My Husband’s Got a Family, among others .

On the reality side: Extra Challenge and Celebrity Bluff are, at least as far as I could remember, the only reality carry-overs from last year. Protege is currently on hiatus and if Teen Gen, which stars many of the reality show’s second season cast, prove to be a success and beyond, then a third season may be on the horizon.

Here’s a compiled list of GMA Network’s first quarter slate of new shows, carry-overs and cancelations as of January 13, 2012:

Carry-Overs (Daytime Originals)

1. Cielo de Angelina (Weekdays 11:30am)
2. Eat Bulaga (Weekdays, 12noon; Saturdays 11:30am)
3. Yesterday’s Bride (Weekdays 2:30pm)
4. Sana ay Ikaw na Nga (Weekdays 3:15pm)

New Shows (Daytime Originals)

1. Forever (Date and time TBA)

New Shows (Daytime Canned)

1. TBA

Carry Overs (Daytime Canned)

1. Smile, Dong Hae (Weekdays, 5:00PM)

Canceled/Ended Shows (Daytime)

1. Magdalena: Anghel sa Putikan (Ending, final episode TBA)

Carry-Overs (Primetime Originals)

1. Paroa: Ang Kuwento ni Mariposa (Weeknights at 5:45pm)
2. Pahiram ng Sandali (Weeknights, 8:45pm)
3. Temptation of Wife (Weeknights at 9:30pm)

Carry-Overs (Primetime Canned)

1. The Princess’ Man (Weeknights 10:00PM)
2. Lee San: Wind of the Palace (Weeknights at 12:00am; Fridays at 12:30am)

New Shows (Primetime Originals)

1. Indio (January 14, time TBA)
2. Mrs. Snow White (Date and time TBA)

Canceled/Ended Shows (Primetime)

1. Aso ni San Roque (Ended, finale aired last January 11)

Weekend Carry-Overs

1. Maynila
2. Sarap Diva
3. HOT TV
4. Extra Challenge
5. Teen Gen
6. Magpakailanman
7. Celebrity Bluff
8. Pepito Manaloto: Ang Totoong Buhay
9. Party Pilipinas
10. Startalk
11. Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman

Weekend New Shows

1. TBA

*List does not include news-current affairs/lifestyle and children’s programing, covering only talk, reality/competition, drama, comedy and foreign canned shows.

**This list will be updated throughout the First Quarter of 2013.

***Although there are shows that have been announced, I decided not include to them in the list for now while there’s no promos to those shows that would suggest they will air soon.

If I left out on some shows on the list, you guys may kindly let me know.

Coming up next: TV5.