‘It’s Showtime’ begins airing April 6 on main GMA channel, sister platforms

“Anumang lahi, anumang kulay… ng buhay.”

On Wednesday, March 20, GMA Network and ABS-CBN held a grand contract signing ceremony for a new deal concerning noontime variety program ‘It’s Showtime.’

The hosts of the show, led by main hosts Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Karylle, Amy Perez, Ryan Bang, and Kim Chiu, paraded from the ABS-CBN Studios in Mother Ignacia to the GMA Network Center in Timog, Quezon City using a “star-studded” float.

Upon their arrival at the Kapuso network’s main headquarters, the Kapamilya stars were welcomed by the employees of the station.

Inside GMA Studio 7, the executives of both GMA and ABS-CBN were present.

GMA Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon and ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak fronted their respective teams.

The two media giants inked a new partnership deal that would see ‘It’s Showtime’ air on the flagship GMA channel starting April 6 from 12:00 nn to 2:30 pm.

According to the joint statement issued by the Kapuso and Kapamilya networks, “the unprecedented move reflects the commitment of GMA and ABS-CBN to deliver top-notch entertainment and serve the Filipino people.”

GMA said that it is extending “a heartfelt reception to the whole ‘It’s Showtime’ family and considers it a welcome addition to the growing list of program offerings for its Kapuso viewers nationwide and abroad.”

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN expresses “their sincere gratitude to GMA Network for opening its doots and providing a new platform to bring entertainment and happiness to more viewers across the country.”

The Kapamilya network went on to thank the loyal viewers of ‘Showtime’ “for their unwavering support for almost 15 years.”

The company added that they “look forward to connecting with new audiences as ‘It’s Showtime’ embarks on a new journey in creating more unforgettable FUNanghalian moments together” on GMA platforms.

‘IT’S SHOWTIME!’

‘Showtime’ began airing as a late-morning talent show of ABS-CBN in October 2009, and originally hosted by Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, Kuya Kim Atienza, and Vice Ganda as a ‘resident hurado.’

After a more than two-year-run on its original slot and format, it was relaunched as the Kapamilya network’s flagship noontime variety show in February 2012, following the cancelation of ‘Happy, Yipee, Yehey.’

‘Showtime,’ with the influence of teleserye ‘Be Careful With My Heart,’ eventually became the formidable noontime programming ABS-CBN had hoped for in the years after the end of ‘Wowowee’ in 2010, as well as the departure of ‘Eat Bulaga’ for GMA in 1995.

Not counting the AlDub phenomenon in 2015, ‘Showtime’ had been generally stable, and at times, even closing the gap or leading against the institution that is ‘Eat Bulaga’ in the ratings game.

Following the ABS-CBN network’s shutdown in 2020, the show had its reach severely limited and was only seen via Kapamilya Channel and A2Z.

In July 2022, it became part of the line-up of ABS-CBN shows on TV5.

However, when networks ended their blocktime agreement following the move of ‘Eat Bulaga’ to TV5, ABS-CBN sought a partnership with GMA to air the show on the network’s secondary channel GTV.

Since the start of this year, ‘Showtime’ was able to overtake ‘Bulaga’ in the TV ratings game, thanks to the strong performance of its segment ‘EXpecially For You.’

With its additional broadcast through the main GMA channel, ‘It’s Showtime’ is poised to post a strong competition against ‘Eat Bulaga,’ which is seen through TV5 and RPTV.

‘It’s Showtime’ on GMA begins on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 12:00 nn. It will be simulcast over Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, A2Z, and GTV.

Viewers abroad will be able to tune in to the variety program via TFC and GMA Pinoy TV, and through the iWantTFC platform worldwide.

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