In an interview a year ago with a select few of the media, Martin Nievera was asked why he wasn’t hosting his own talk show like he did in the ‘80s and ‘90s. With typical candid humor, he retorted, “No one’s offered!”

In succeeding press conferences, Nievera and fellow veteran performers Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez opened up about their shelf life in local show business. The three concert stars remain as popular as ever, but they have had to compete, quite suddenly it seems, in the digital scene.

Yet, while the record business and concert scene have radically changed, the artists who have been able to survive these will always have their innate gifts to offer.

Martin Nievera, for one, is incomparable in any gabfest. His wit and energy are still apparent whenever he performs – and this could be why many of those who recognize this have wondered why he wasn’t leading the talk in a late-night show where he can surely shine.

Now, viewers can watch out for the “Concert King” of the Philippines, who is set to make his late-night TV comeback on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, with a new show called LSS: The Martin Nievera Show, which will air this June on ANC.

Nievera gets up close, personal and candid with the movers and shakers of the country, experiencing new adventures with them outside of the studio.

“This new show is really very exciting because I’ll be asking my guests—businessmen, leaders, entrepreneurs and celebrities — questions that the public want answered,” said Martin. “I’m going to be just like the people you mentioned: the fan, the spectator, or even the basher.”

The performer, host and actor has been a mainstay on TV and the stage for the past 30 years. Aside from a prolific career as a singer and songwriter, Martin charmed audiences in the ‘80s and ‘90s with shows like Martin After Dark and Martin Late @ Nite.

LSS marks his return to TV as the host of his own show after being a regular performer on noontime variety show ASAP and judge on various ABS-CBN talent shows.

Martin was introduced as the newest member of the ANC family at the ANCx event held in Rockwell, Makati last May 29, where the country’s premier 24/7 all-English cable news channel also launched its lifestyle block. The block will feature local and foreign lifestyle programs on weekdays starting 10:30 p.m. and on weekends starting 10 p.m.

The line-up includes ANC originals Executive Class, Asian Air Safari and Rev, and four additional new shows, led by State of the Art, a five-episode series on the growing local art industry hosted by actress Iza Calzado. Show Me the Market features Zubuchon founder and food expert Joel Binamira and chef JP Anglo as they explore wet markets around the country and create dishes from local ingredients. Foreign programs The Wine Show and Booze Traveler offer wine and spirits lovers a look at the wines and spirits around the world.

ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs head and ANC managing director Ging Reyes said the lifestyle block marks the beginning of a strong partnership and collaboration between ABS-CBN’s news and lifestyle ecosystems.

“While we specialize in serious undertaking like general news, government, business, our wall-to-wall political coverage, we also know that our audience also wants a break from all the serious stuff,” said Ging. “They seek adventure, they have a sense of fun, and they love food, fashion and the arts.”

ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosystem head Paolo Pineda added that while ANC provides executives and entrepreneurs with information they need to manage the weekday, the lifestyle group will provide audiences with content they need to manage their after-office and weekend passions.

“We hope to develop a brand-new viewing habit on TV and online, wherever our audience is, by catering to their various interests,” said Paolo.

Ces Orena-Drilon, the content acquisition head of the ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosystem, said viewers can expect top-tier lifestyle content with a Filipino perspective, especially for the male market.

“Many of the existing lifestyle content is very Western,” said Ces. “We have our foreign shows, but we also want to bring that Filipino flavor, especially with regards to the high-end arts, culture and motoring scenes that are flourishing in the country.”

Now on its 22nd year, ANC is an industry pioneer committed to innovation and excellence in delivering news and information, and now even lifestyle content, to Filipinos worldwide. ANC continues to take the lead as the premier and undisputed news channel of choice of business and political leaders, serving as their partner not only through its TV programs, but also through on-ground projects such as the ANC Leadership Series and ANCx events.

Watch ANC or ANC HD on cable television or online via www.iwantv.com.ph or www.skyondemand.com.ph. Stay updated on the news, follow @ANCalerts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram or visit news.abs-cbn.com/anc.

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