Pinoy Idol logo, as shown in GMA Network’s promotion. Credit: Wikipedia

Philippine Idol, the local franchise of the UK Show, Pop Idol is now heading its way to GMA 7 after being show for one season on ABC 5. As the show heads its way to GMA 7, it will be now called Pinoy Idol instead of Philippine Idol. Nationwide audition for the first season of Pinoy Idol would be held from January to March 2008. The show is expected to premiere sometime in 2008 (probably mid to last quarter of 2008). The said show would not recognize the first Idol show mounted by ABC 5, Philippine Idol and its winner, Mau Marcelo although her runners-up Jan Nieto and Gian Magdangal are now part of GMA 7’s line up of artists.

THE JUDGES & THE HOST
As reported, Louie Ignacio who coincidently directed other GMA 7 singing contest would direct Pinoy Idol. The judges and host for the said show is yet to be known. Surely, Ryan Cayabyab would not be part of show as he already signed with ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 as the new Headmaster. On the other hand, Ryan Agoncillo, host of Philippine Idol would not be part of Pinoy Idol because of his exclusive contract with ABS-CBN. Ryan Agoncillo was also reported to become the host of ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy for it’s second season.

AUDITIONS
The audition dates for the first season of Pinoy Idol are as follows: Cagayan de Oro on January 17, 2008, Batangas City on January 24, 2008, Iloilo City on January 31, 2008, Cebu City on February 7, 2008, Davao City on February 14, 2008, Pasay (advertised as Mega Manila) on February 21, 2008, Dagupan City on February 28, 2008, and finally, Angeles City on March 6, 2008. The requirements for the said audition are yet to be determined as GMA 7 release the full information about the auditions.

THE FANS
Fans of Philippine Idol (ABC 5’s Idol show) are hoping that the new Idol show would be better than that of ABC 5’s version – free from flaw and technical glitches. People on the Pinoy Exchange thread of Philippine Idol (Season 2) disliked the fact that Ignacio would be directing the show. The logo of Pinoy Idol used on its trailer made the people on the Pinoy Exchange thread of Philippine Idol call it too amateurish and too fake for such a world-class franchise. Some people said that the logo used was not yet final and still unofficial. Fans are still questioning the reason behind why GMA decided to use the term, Pinoy on the official title of the local version of the Idol show instead of Filipino.

AMERICAN IDOL ON Q 11
Moreover, it was reported that the seventh season of American Idol slated to premiere on January 15, 2008 would be broadcasted in the Philippines by GMA 7’s sister TV station, Q 11 instead of ABC 5 which broadcasted previous season of American Idol in the Philippines.

THE IDOL FRANCHISE
The franchise was first awarded to ABC 5 (Associated Broadcasting Company) in 2006 calling it Philippine Idol and having Mau Marcelo as its first winner. Pinoy Idol replaces Philippine Idol after FreemantleMedia did not award the franchise to ABC 5 for its second season.