TAPE issues official statement on ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ cancelation

The company has issued its official statement on the matter.

At the end of the final rebroadcast of noontime variety show ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya,’ its producer Television and Production Exponents (TAPE), Inc. aired a statement on the program.

The Jalosjos-led production firm said: “It is with a heavy heart that we inform our televiewers that our noontime show ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ on Kapuso network, GMA 7, will no longer be on air effective March 8, 2024.”

“TAPE, Inc. extends its profound gratitude to its home network, GMA 7, for a long and fruitful partnership. GMA 7’s kind consideration and understanding of the company’s unwanted circumstances have been instrumental in helping the company in this transition. Despite our best efforts to save the show, both parties have reached a mutual agreement to finally call off the show,” it added.

“To the loyal viewers, esteemed hosts, supportive advertisers, hardworking crew and dedicated employees who have been with us from the very beginning — from the longest running noontime show ‘Eat Bulaga’ to the present ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ — our sincerest “Thank you!” and optimistic “See you again,” the company’s official statement ended.

GMA releases statement on cancelation of TAPE’s ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’

“TAHANANG PINAKAMASAYA, EAT BULAGA!”

‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ originally made its debut as a TAPE-produced ‘Eat Bulaga,’ which began on June 5, 2023 following the fallout between Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ)’s production group and the new management.

It was hosted by Paolo Contis, Betong Sumaya, Buboy Villar, among others.

Ex-Manila Mayor Isko Moreno was then added the following month, forming a tandem with Contis as the show’s official main hosts.

During its time under the old title, TAPE’s noontime show was relatively competitive its contemporaries ‘E.A.T.’ (of TVJ on TV5) and ‘It’s Showtime’ (on ABS-CBN platforms, A2Z, and GTV) in the TV ratings game.

Although, it consistently been the least-viewed online.

However, the show suffered a major dip in the TV ratings after the Marikina RTC ordered TAPE to stop using the title ‘Eat Bulaga’ and ‘EB,’ as the court recognized the ownership of which belongs to the TVJ camp.

On January 6, ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ was officially ‘relaunched‘ with the new title, however, all other elements like segments and hosts were retained.

Since then, ‘TP’s’ ratings in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) had consistently hovered around the 2.6 to 3.3% range. In contrast, it was even able to reach the 4.0% mark in late 2023.

For added context, ‘Eat Bulaga’ was consistently in the 4.0 to 4.5% area, while ‘It’s Showtime’ performed strongly, as it even reached a peak of 5.7% on the slot last February 24.

Speculations were also thrown at the ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ and producer TAPE left-and-right, such as the most-recent allegations of huge debt to partner GMA Network — a rumor that the production company has not made any comments on.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR GMA

As of now, the Kapuso network is still said to be weighing its options for the vacated prized noontime slot.

According to various sources, GMA is exploring the possibility of setting up its original lunchtime variety show, with the possibility of reformatting late-morning show ‘Tiktoclock’ to accommodate that.

Other rumors popping is the consideration of transferring the simulcast of ‘It’s Showtime’ from secondary channel GTV and even the return of ‘Wowowin’ to GMA after two years.

But in the interim, GMA will place a movie block at 12:00 nn on weekdays, followed by its slate of top-rating afternoon dramas led by ‘Abot-Kamay na Pangarap’ from 2:00 pm.

On Saturdays, back-to-back movie blocks will occupy the three-hour slot from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

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