Hero (TV channel)
| Hero | |
|---|---|
|
Logo used since 2015 | |
| Launched |
1 October 2005 (First official broadcast) 12 November 2005 (Official launch) |
| Network | ABS-CBN |
| Owned by |
ABS-CBN Cable Channels (ABS-CBN Corporation) |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Slogan | "Dahil sa HERO, Bida Ka Rito!" ("Because of HERO, you are hero!") |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines |
| Sister channel(s) | Cinema One, Jeepney TV, Lifestyle, Myx, Tag |
| Website | Hero on Facebook |
Hero (sometimes referred to by fans as Hero TV) is a Filipino cable television network based in Quezon City. It is owned and operated by ABS-CBN Cable Channels, a subsidiary of the media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. Its programming is composed primarily of Filipino-dubbed Japanese animation.
Background
Much of the content in Hero is attributed to the fact that Creative Programs Inc's parent company ABS-CBN (through its main network) has produced numerous dubs of anime years before the launch of Hero, as well as maintained an ANIMAX airing block for quite sometime. Aside from those, the channel also airs anime that have not yet seen in any terrestrial or cable channel shown in the Philippines prior to its first showing in the channel, such as Mirmo de Pon!.
The channel also once featured anime dubbed by Telesuccess, Inc., supplier for most of the anime aired on ABS-CBN's rival GMA Network, before transferring them all to TeleAsia. Some of these are Love Hina, Rune Soldier, and Shaman King.[1] Others seen in the channel were previously shown in English on Cartoon Network's Philippine feed (e.g. Crush Gear Turbo) or, in the case of Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh, on government-controlled RPN 9 (now known as CNN Philippines).[2]
Furthermore, the channel features re-dubs, i.e. it produced its own dubbed version of anime which previously were already dubbed in Tagalog. Examples of these are Mon Colle Knights, Metal Fighter Miku, Zenki, The Slayers, and Voltes V.
In 2011, undubbed anime was introduced to the channel with accompanying Filipino-language subtitles in the form of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light and the Initial D Extra Stage OVA. The reason for airing these two anime features in their original Japanese audio is not known.
In the Summer of 2012, HERO began to greatly increase its lineup of new titles, starting with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, Naruto Shippuden, Hanasaku Iroha and Shiki; as well as airing the first two series of the Sailor Moon franchise, and a more complete version of the Aniplex-produced Jigoku Shoujo. Except for Sailor Moon, Jigoku Shoujo and Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, all of these titles have never been aired on ANIMAX before (ANIMAX airs Railgun and Sailor Moon in other territories).
Non-anime programs
Although the channel prides itself as an anime channel, some of the programs it aired were non-anime. They are Mission Odyssey and Shadow of the Elves, both produced by the Berliner Film Companie, and the tokusatsu or live-action shows The Gransazers, Masked Rider Ryuki, and Shaider. As of the present, all five programs mentioned have been pulled out of the program rotation.