TV5 says transfer of 'It's Showtime' to GTV proves that 'TV is really alive'
"TV is really alive." This is TV5's main takeaway after ABS-CBN's noontime show It's Showtime decided to part ways with the network to transfer to GMA's GTV Channel.
On Tuesday, June 20, GTV confirmed that it will start broadcasting It's Showtime after rumors about their partnership began circulating earlier this month.
The network, whose mother company previously served as the long-time rival of ABS-CBN, announced the news through a social media post featuring the entire It's Showtime hosts and the text, "Madlang People, G na G ba kayo?"
Minutes after GTV made the announcement, ABS-CBN released a statement thanking TV5 for housing its noontime show for the past year and clarifying what transpired before it decided to find a new home for the show.
"ABS-CBN would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to TV5 Chairman Manny Pangilinan for his support for ABS-CBN and for bringing 'It's Showtime' to a wider audience through our content partnership," the statement read.
"With the new programming movement in TV5, we are sad to announce that 'It's Showtime' will no longer be seen on TV5 beginning 1 July 2023."
It went on to say that the MediaQuest-owned network offered to move It's Showtime to its 4:30 pm timeslot. However, ABS-CBN declined so as not to harm the relationship it has built with its noontime audience over the years.
This was confirmed by MediaQuest president and CEO Jane Basas in TV5's presser for its upcoming show to be co-produced by former Eat Bulaga! hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.
Basas said, "Contract with It's Showtime just expired. We offered 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., but [they chose to transfer]."
Nevertheless, the TV exec said that MediaQuest "continues to support It's Showtime" since the company carries the Kapamilya channel.
It can be recalled that in August 2022, ABS-CBN and TV5 executed an "investment agreement" allowing ABS-CBN to acquire 6,459,393 primary common shares in TV5.
"We're thankful for the partnership," Basas added.
TV5 President and CEO Guido Zabellero likewise clarified that at the end of the day, it's all good between their network and ABS-CBN's noontime program.
"They continue to be our partners and we respect the decision that they make," Zaballero said.
"Ang pinaka importante kasi, at the end of the day, panalo yung Filipino viewers. I think it was, in fact, Jenny who said, 'This is a good day for TV. It proves that TV is really alive."
MediaQuest echoed Zaballero's sentiments in a statement released on social media on Tuesday night. The company wrote, "We respect their decision and wish them well in their future ventures. We continue to value our relationship with ABS-CBN, as we pursue the common goal of delivering the best content of our viewers."
"Today's media landscape is very dynamic. But at the end of the day, the Filipino viewing audience is king."
SALAMAT, KAPAMILYA
— News5 (@News5PH) June 20, 2023
Nagpasalamat ang Mediaquest Group sa ABS-CBN sa content partnership nito sa pag-ere ng "It's Showtime" sa Kapatid Network. Kasabay ito ng anunsyo ng ABS-CBN na hanggang June 30 na lang mapapanood sa TV5 ang noontime show. #News5 pic.twitter.com/HcuwFRYC0P
GMA Network, meanwhile, expressed its eagerness in partnering with It's Showtime in a statement sent by the network's president and CEO Felipe Gozon to Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on the same afternoon.
Abunda quoted Gozon, "We are happy to provide a home for It's Showtime. We will have a big contract signing event soon."
It's Showtime premiered as one of ABS-CBN's morning programs on Oct. 24, 2009. It was moved to the network's 12 p.m. slot on October 2010, three months after the noontime show Wowowee went off the air.
Apart from TV5, It's Showtime is being aired on pay TV network Kapamilya Channel and streamed live on the channel's YouTube page. It is set to broadcast on GTV on July 1.
