The TV host’s statement was a response to the seemingly jovial reaction of many netizens to numerous reports that suggest three of ALLTV’s flagship shows are soon to be taken off the air.
TV host and businessman, Willie Revillame, took his chance to address the issue surrounding his program’s getting temporarily suspended by Villar’s free-to-air channel, ALLTV. Last night, February 4, he aired his frustration over the seemingly celebratory mood of netizens. This was after reports about the possible cancellation of the three flagship programs of ALLTV hit social media.
According to multiple reports, Revillame’s variety game show, ‘Wowowin’ alongside morning talk show, ‘Mhies On a Mission’ (MOMs), and Toni Gonzaga’s eponymous talk show ‘Toni‘ is bidding adieu on air soon, due to poor advertising revenue and weak viewership.
“Hindi ko gustong ikinukuwento ‘to. Kaya ko lang nakukuwento ‘to, kasi may mga lumalabas kasi ngayon na may mga programa ang ALLTV na mawawala. Eh parang natutuwa kayo na mawawala ‘yung mga programang nagbibigay saya. Sana hindi ganon,” he told his viewers, addressing netizens who seemed very happy about the news.
Revillame pleaded with ALLTV’s critics to give the network a free-to-air channel, and its parent company, AMBS, a chance to grow, noting that the station is still in its early stages of operation.
“Ako naman, willing naman tumulong sa sobrang blessed namin. Kami naman eh sana ‘wag n’yong ganonin. Syempre you have to understand, nag-sisimula pa lang po ang ALLTV—nagsisimula pa lang po kami. Sanggol pa lang ‘po ito eh. Ano ‘yung walang commercial na papasok dito? Siyempre wala pa kaming reach, wala pa kaming signal,” he added, underscoring the still limited coverage of the TV station. AMBS is notably the company that acquired two of ABS-CBN’s previously-held frequencies, including Channel 2, which now carries ALLTV’s analog transmission.
He pleaded for prayers from the Filipino people, asking for their kind wishes for the brand-new network. The TV host expressed, “Kaya nga po sinisimulan pa lang. Kaya nga ipagdasal niyo kami. Sana ipagdasal niyo kami na maging successful ‘to para maraming istasyon na maraming magawa. Marami kayong madinig na kabutihan di ba?”
Revillame also took his chance to ask his viewers and critics to set aside politics and allow his show’s new home network to thrive and succeed. At this point, he pleaded for politics to be set aside.
One should not forget, however, that the very first reason why ALLTV is currently on air is because of politics. ABS-CBN was forced to go off-air in 2020, following the denial of its franchise application by the legislative House’s Lower Chamber.
Reports about the cancellation of the three flagship ALLTV programs are yet to be confirmed by the network itself. If they are true, however, Willie Revillame’s variety show will once again disappear on local television, a year after it left GMA Network.