The Kabarkada gets bigger and better starting October 4 as Studio 23 launches brand new shows and broadens its programming to cater to a wider audience following its sterling performance in 2010.

Data from Kantar Media show that Studio 23 recorded its highest growth in audience share nationwide from January to August this year as compared to its closest competitors. As of August, Studio 23 is now number four nationwide with an audience share of 4.1%, which grew by 153% from 1.6% audience share in January.

Studio 23 Head March Ventosa attributed Studio 23 ‘s impressive performance to its latest offerings of movies during lunch and early primetime, Koreanovelas, animes, Top Rank boxing matches, and UAAP/NCAA games.

It recently launched its “Double Primetime” programming with nightly movie features in “Barkada Nights” on weeknight primetime followed by the best US hit programs.

In its almost 15 years of operations, Studio 23 has always been at the forefront of introducing trailblazing concepts on free-to-air broadcasting. It was the first local free-to-air network that aired fresh epsiodes of American programs two weeks after airing in the US via its F.U.S.E. or Fresh US Episodes campaign.

Studio 23 was again the first Philiippine TV network to offer free online viewing of its foreign and local programs via Catch Up TV (www.studio23.tv) wherein viewers who missed their favorite local shows could watch them on the Internet anytime, anywhere in the Philippines .

Starting Oct 4, start your all-new Kabarkada mornings with the simulcast of DZMM TeleRadyo from 7 AM to 8:30 AM featuring “Radyo Patrol Balita Alas-Siete” with Ted Failon and “Dos Por Dos” with Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja. This marks the premiere of DZMM’s top rating radio programs on free-to-air Philippine TV which would now enable audiences to watch Ted, Anthony, and Gerry deliver and tackle the most important issues affecting the country.

Kids will also get their dose of Kabarkada treat s from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM with the back-to-back airing of Nickelodeon’s “Catdog” and “Danny Phantom” every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; and “Wonderpets” and “Chalkzone” every Tuesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, Studio 23’s double primetime gets even bigger and better with the launch of four new local shows.

Join Pinoy Big Brother’s charismatic and well loved Korean housemate Ryan Bang as he explores life in the Philippines in “3ow P0whz!” airing Mondays at 9:30 PM.

Get an outrageous and hilarious approach to male education with model-actor Boom Labrusca, commercial model Aran Sese, internet star Jobert Austria, and award-winning stand up comedian Alex Calleja in “Usapang Lalake” every Wednesday, 9:30 pm, while get a weekly dose of must-see and funny videos with RR Enriquez and Aaron Atayde in “Pa-Bida Ka!” every Friday, 9:30 pm.

In the field of news and current affairs, Studio 23 launches a ‘different’ kind of news/talk show with Anthony Taberna in “iBA-BALITA” airing Mondays to Fridays at 9 PM. Deviating from the traditional format of newscasting, Anthony will dissect and analyze the hottest issues in the country today with the help of ABS-CBN News and DZMM correspondents and resource persons.

“‘IBA-BALITA’ will prioritize depth over breadth. The news stories will not only be comprehensive and fair, but these will be explained by our multimedia journalists and subject matter experts so that viewers will be informed and empowered,” said Ventosa.

Kabarkadas will also get to watch a primetime replay of the hit crime docu-drama “SOCO” anchored by Gus Abelgas every Tuesday at 9:30 PM and the explosive investigative reports of Julius Babao, Pinky Webb, and Anthony Taberna in “XXX” every Thursday at 9:30 PM.

When it comed to the latest happenings in the entertainment world, Gretchen Fullido will give you a rundown of what’s hot and what’s not in “The Wrap,” weekdays at 7PM.

Fans of the Philippine version of the hit Koreanovela series “My Girl” starring Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson can relive the romatic comedy story of Jasmine and Julian on weeknights at 6:30 pm starting on Monday (Oct 4). First aired on ABS-CBN, “My Girl” follows the story of Jasmine whose poor fortune suddenly changes when she is hired to pretend as Julian’s long lost cousin. Jasmine’s role takes a sudden turn when she realizes that she is falling in love with Julian. The feeling, it turns out, is mutual. Problem is, the lovers can’t come out in the open since everyone already believes they’re real cousins.

Meawhile, foreign series fans will have a new primetime addiction as Studio 23 airs ABC’s newly launched hit sci-fi drama “No Ordinary Family” beginning Oct 24 (Sunday). Follow the story of the Powells, a typical American family who undergo a remarkable transformation after their charter plane crashes in the Amazon River (CLICK HERE TO WATCH TRAILER).

Don’t miss all these exciting new offerings this Monday (Oct 4) from your one and only Kabarkada on television Studio 23 or log on to www.studio23.tv to catch up on any local shows you missed and watch it online for free. Ibakabarkada!

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