ABS-CBN announced yesterday that It’s Showtime was parting ways with the TV5 network as the noontime variety show has found its new home — GMA Network’s GTV channel.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Kapamilya network started off by expressing gratitude to TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) for bringing the show to a wider audience through the Kapatid network.
“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,” said the program being led by television host Vice Ganda.
Due to the latest programming movements in TV5, It’s Showtime will no longer air on the network beginning July 1.
ABS-CBN continued that TV5 offered a 4:50 p.m. time slot for the show but that they “respectfully declined” as they “value the meaningful relationship we have built and nurtured with our audience in the noontime slot.”
The Kapamilya network then assured fans that It’s Showtime will still be seen on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live for the meantime.
It’s Showtime will begin airing on GMA’s GTV from Mondays to Saturdays, still on the 12 noon timeslot, on July 1.
“We are also very grateful to GMA’s GTV channel and happy to announce that It’s Showtime has found another home. G na g tayo, Madlang People!,” read ABS-CBN’s statement.
“We are thankful for the loyal support our audiences have provided for It’s Showtime and hope they continue to find joy and entertainment on the show as it seeks to find more ways to reach them,” it further said.
ABS-CBN announced It’s Showtime’s move from TV5 to GMA Network’s GTV channel on the same day TV5 officially welcomed Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ), as well as the “legit Dabarkads” with a media day.
The original hosts of the country’s longest-running noontime program, Eat Bulaga, left GMA Network after they severed ties with blocktimer producer, TAPE Productions, Inc., last May 31. TAPE still has a blocktime agreement with the Kapuso network until 2024. On June 8, TVJ announced that they have found a new home with TV5 through a partnership with the MVP-owned MediaQuest.