On June 20, TV5 President and Chief Executive Officer Guido Zaballero and Senator Tito Sotto reacted to ‘It’s Showtime’ moving to GTV.
At the media event for the TVJ and the Legit Dabarkads, Zaballero clarified that they respect ABS-CBN’s decision to move ‘It’s Showtime’ to GTV and would continue their partnership with the content provider.
“Well, unang-una, they continue to be our partners, and [that] we respect the decision [that] they made. And ang pinaka-importante kasi is at the end of the day, panalo ‘yung Filipino viewers. In fact, I think it was Jeng who said na, ‘This is a good day for TV, it proves that TV is really alive.'”
Sotto described their loyalty to the audience and their shows as their ‘common denominator’ with other noontime programs.
“When we started Eat Bulaga in 1979, the population of the Philippines was only 47 million, 47.15 to be exact. Eat Bulaga lang noon at Student Canteen, we are now 110 Million, there’s room for everyone. Ang pinakamaganda ay mapasaya natin ang ating mga kababayan. There’s one thing– a common denominator among all of us, lalo na ‘tong mga Dabarkads natin, and ‘yung ating staff, loyalty.”
Guido added that TV5 is looking forward to an increase in viewers owing to their partnership with TVJ Productions.
“Ay siyempre, dadami ang viewers ng TV5, we are looking forward to working with TVJ Productions to make this a major success, kasi when– kapag dumami na ang viewers ng TV5, it will be all good for our businesses, and it would also have a significance na rin kasi one month na nawala ang TVJ and Dabarkads eh, so I think ‘yung buong Pilipinas is looking forward to it.”
Recently, ‘It’s Showtime’ confirmed that they are moving to GMA Network’s channel GTV after their block time agreement with TV5 ends on June 30.
As for Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon, the trio returns to TV with a new noontime show under TV5 starting July 1.
Joining them are Legit Dabarkads Allan K, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Maine Mendoza, Paolo Ballesteros, Ryan Agoncillio, and Ryza Mae Dizon.
TVJ and the Dabarkads parted ways with TAPE Inc. on May 31 after an internal issue between the noontime show and the company.
