'So historic': 'It's Showtime' officially airing on GMA starting April
MANILA, Philippines — Executives from rival networks ABS-CBN and GMA signed contracts today to indicate noontime variety show "It's Showtime" will officially air on the latter network.
Leading the ABS-CBN executives were chairman Mark Lopez and president Carlo Katigbak, while the GMA officers were led by Felipe Gozon and Gilberto Duavit Jr.
The contract signing held in GMA Network Center on EDSA corner Timog Avenue was hosted by ABS-CBN's Robi Domingo and GMA's Iya Villania (Iya was previously with ABS-CBN from 2004 to 2014).
In attendance were "It's Showtime" hosts Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Kim Chiu, Ogie Alcasid (also returning to GMA), Karylle, Amy Perez, Jhong Hilario, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta, Ryan Bang, Ion Perez, Darren Espanto, Jackie Gonzaga, MC Lassy, and Cianne Dominguez.
Carlo expressed his gratitude to the GMA executives for welcoming them into the family, and praised the "It's Showtime" team and fans for their endless love and support.
Gilberto reciprocated the warmth to the ABS-CBN executives and guests, acknowledging the happiness and joy that "It's Showtime" has brought to the Philippines for the past 15 years.
Related: 'It's Showtime' to replace 'Tahanang Pinakamasaya' as GMA's noontime show — report
Felipe teased that Carlo vowed the noontime variety show would steadily improve given it had the backing of two networks, also quipping that ratings could see an immense rise.
Vice spoke on behalf of the "It's Showtime" hosts to repeatedly thank GMA for accepting them, "This is just so historic, so iconic, this is mothering! Who would have thought... na mangyayari ito, na magsasama ang ABS at GMA?"
"Ang pag-ibig daw nagsisimula sa spark, pero 'yung sa inyo sumasabog," Vice said, comparing the two networks to volt capacities brought together by a transformer. "Congratulations to all of us."
"It's Showtime" takes the spot vacated by Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc.'s "Tahanang Pinakamasaya" which is now off-air.
Last July, "It's Showtime" moved to GMA's subsidiary GTV after it declined TV5's offer to move to a delayed telecast at 4:30 p.m. to give way to then-show "E.A.T." hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, which now goes by "Eat Bulaga" after the trio claimed the rights to the name.
"It's Showtime" will begin airing on the main GMA channel beginning April 6, the first Saturday after Holy Week, then every Monday to Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m.
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