Kapamilya sa Kapuso: Star Cinema movies will begin airing on GMA Network as part of historic deal with ABS-CBN
Two of the country's TV network giants have come together in one historic event. The GMA Network has inked a deal with ABS-CBN for the airing of Star Cinema movies on its local channels starting in April.
The partnership was made official through a virtual contract signing ceremony on April 5, which was attended by executives from both networks, including GMA president and COO Gilberto Duavit, ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, and COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes.
For Duavit, the collaboration could potentially open doors for future partnership between the two companies.
"Since we have, as they say, broken the ice, there is great optimism that these conversations will continue or start and continue. We look forward to the possibility of this type of opportunity again, moving forward," he said.
"It is very significant day for both of us and for the Filipino viewer, imaging Kapuso or Kapamilya man," Duavit added.
Meanwhile, Katigbak expressed gratitude to the GMA Network, saying "Every storyteller’s dream is to have as many people as possible to experience their creations and now because of the kindness of our friends at GMA, we have the special opportunity to bring our Kapamilya stories to a new audience.“
Star Cinema movies soon on GMA7 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VkKaITvU6h
— Star Cinema (@StarCinema) April 5, 2022
With the new contract, GMA widens its movie library, putting Star Cinema alongside Regal Entertainment, Inc., Viva Films, and OctoArts Films.
Among the Star Cinema flicks expected to air on the GMA Network are lone/Together, How to Be Yours, ‘Till My Heartaches End, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, Ang Cute ng Ina Mo!, It Takes a Man and a Woman, Just The Way You Are, Fantastica, Can We Still Be Friends?, Finally Found Someone, No Other Woman, Won’t Last A Day Without You, Must Be...Love, The Panti Sisters, Isa Pa With Feelings, James & Pat & Dave, Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, Feng Shui, Suddenly It’s Magic, and I Love You, Hater.
In May 2020, Congress junked the petition of ABS-CBN to renew its franchise, ceasing TV and radio broadcasts. Earlier in January 2022, Manny Villar took over the network's television broadcast frequencies.