Madlang People and Kapuso are officially one!
ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime” has finally inked a contract with GMA-7’s GTV on Wednesday, June 28, at SEDA Vertis North, Quezon City.
The contract signing has marked a significant milestone in the television landscape, as the two media giants collaborate in bringing “It’s Showtime” under GTV, a free-to-air TV network owned by GMA Network.
GMA-7 and ABS-CBN are known to be longtime rivals on television.
The program will start airing on GTV on July 1, 2023.
The big bosses of the two TV networks substantiated the deal, with GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon declaring, “TV war is officially over.”
Representing the Kapuso network are Atty. Gozon, President and CEO of GMA Films Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, President and COO Jimmy Duavit Jr., and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong.
For ABS-CBN, the executives who attended the event included President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak, Chairman Mark L. Lopez, COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Officer-in-charge of Finance Group Paul Piedad.
“It’s Showtime” hosts Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Jhong Hilario, Kim Chiu, Amy Perez, Ogie Alcasid, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, Ryan Bang, Ion Perez, MC, Lassy, Jackie Gonzaga, and Cianne Dominguez were all seen at the event with the program director Jon Moll.
READ ALSO: Vice Ganda Airs Fond Message Amid “It’s Showtime” Farewell To TV5
GMA and ABS-CBN executives express elation
Carlo Katigbak and Felipe Gozon have both expressed their elation over the partnership. As for Gozon, he was not expecting that a deal would come too soon after their collaboration for the recently launched primetime series “Unbreak My Heart.”
The Kapamilya executive, on the other hand, recalled how GMA willingly opened its doors for “Its Showtime.”
“Noong nabalitaan namin na gustong ilipat ang tim slot ng “It’s Showtime,” tinawagan namin si Anette para pag-usapan ang posibilidad na mabigyan ng bagong tahanan ang aming programa,” Katigbak shares.
“And after that, in just less than two weeks, we were again welcomed into your network,” he adds.
Ultimately, Katigbak has expressed his gratitude to the entire “It’s Showtime” ensemble , emphasizing that despite the struggles and uncertainties, the hosts and staff had never wavered from rendering their service.
“Lahat po ito ay para sa inyo, madlang pipol. Natutuwa kami na tuloy ang saya tuwing tanghali, na magkakasama muli ang mga Kapuso at Kapamilya sa Showtime,” he says.
“It’s Showtime” currently airs on TV5’s noontime slot, along with its broadcast platforms A2Z Channel 11, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live.
However, the decision to transfer came after ABS-CBN decided to “respectfully decline” TV5’s offer to air “It’s Showtime” at 4:30 p.m. in a delayed airing basis once the noontime show’s current contract expires on July 1.
The decision also came after TV5 inked a partnership with Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon’s new show, which takes over the Kapatid network’s noontime slot.
READ ALSO: Did New TVJ Show Bump Off “It’s Showtime” On TV5? Tito, Joey Share Thoughts
Banner Art Paulo Correa
