“The new age of Philippine television is here.” 

This was how Robi Domingo described the partnership between ABS-CBN and GMA-7 after GMA executive Atty. Felipe Gozon said the “war is over” between two of the country’s leading media giants. 

ABS-CBN and GMA-7 officially sealed the deal after executives of both networks signed the agreement to air It’s Showtime on GTV in an event held at a hotel in Quezon City on Wednesday, June 28. 

During the presscon, ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak thanked GMA-7 for welcoming It’s Showtime with open arms.

“Pagkatapos po namin i-launch ang Unbreak My Heart, hindi po namin naisip na magkakaroon ng kasunod agad ang partnership with GMA. Nung nabalitaan namin na gustong ilipat ang timeslot ng Showtime, tinawagan namin si Annette (Gozon-Valdes) para pag-usapan ng bagong tahanan ang aming programa. After that, in less than two weeks, we were again welcomed into your network. Kaya marami pong salamat Atty. Gozon, Annette, Jaime, Joel who’s not here, Felip, at sa lahat ng aming Kapuso sa pagtanggap niyo sa It’s Showtime at sa pagyakap niyo muli sa ABS-CBN. Thank you for your kindness, GMA,” he said.

READ: GMA Exec on bringing ‘It’s Showtime’ to GTV: ‘It’s really a business decision for us’

Having witnessed everything the people behind the show had gone through, Carlo thanked everyone — including the hosts and staff — for holding on and never giving up as well as the Madlang People for staying with them. 

“Marami na ang napagdaanan ng mga Kapamilya natin sa Showtime. Nagpapasalamat din kami sa lahat ng It’s Showtime hosts at sa buong Showtime family dahil hindi kayo bumitaw at hindi kayo sumuko sa pagbibigay ng saya at serbisyo. Lahat po ito ay para sa inyo mga Madlang People. Natutuwa kami na tuloy ang saya tuwing tanghali at magkakasama muli ang mga Kapuso, Kapamilya sa Showtime,” he said. 

For the longest time, ABS-CBN and GMA-7 were pitted against each other, resulting in the so-called “network wars” coined by the media. But GMA-7’s Gozon said the historic feat between the network proved it’s no longer a cause of concern, hinting at more partnerships and imminent collaborations in the foreseeable future.

“Sa pinirmahan natin ngayong hapon with ABS-CBN sa paglipat ng noontime program — the popular It’s Showtime — na mag-uumpisa sa July 1 at ‘yung mga nakaraan naming kontrata na pinirmahan ng ABS, kamukha ng co-production nung Unbreak My Heart at joint-ventures natin na movies, ‘yung mga binili naming mga maraming magagandang pelikula ng ABS at ‘yung kontrata natin sa iWantTFC para ipalabas ‘yung mga programa ng international channels ng GMA. Lahat ng ‘yan eh siguro pwede na nating sabihin ngayon without any fear of contradiction, na ‘yung kompetisyon o ‘yung mga tinatawag ng mga media practitioners na TV wars, is finally over,” Gozon said. 

While both ABS-CBN and GMA-7 will benefit from the partnership, he reiterated that it is the Madlang People that will get the most out of it now that the noontime fun will continue. 

“At ang talagang makikinabang nito ay ‘yung mga manonood. Of course, nakikinabang din ang ABS and GMA. Gusto ko lang sabihin ngayon, kung hindi ko pa nasasabi before, na malugod naming tinatanggap ang popular program na It’s Showtime at ang mga magagandang maraming talents na bumubuo nito na pinangungunahan ni Vice Ganda. At hindi lang ‘yun, nagagalak din kami na ilipat ng ABS-CBN ang programang ito sa GTV,” he remarked.

READ: Karylle, Vhong Navarro, Ogie Alcasid give their take on ‘It’s Showtime’ transfer

Gozon also called the partnership “very formidable” with the combined resources of the two networks now in effect. 

“Gaya ng alam niyo na, ang demographics ng mga nanonood ng TV at ang kanilang mga tastes ay laging nagbabago. At ang mga programa ngayon, ay hindi lang sa TV nakikita kundi sa marami pang ibang platforms at devices. Kaya sa aming pananaw, ang pinagsamang skills, expertise, experience, at resources ng ABS at GMA, can be characterized as very formidable. Dahil malawak ang analog at digital reach at malinaw ang signal at reception ng GTV, malamang hindi lamang ma-maintain ng Showtime ang mataas na rating nito, kundi baka tumaas pa,” he said. 

Teasing what’s to come, Gozon said: “Nag-uusap kami nina Mark at Carlo bago tayo umupo dito at tingin ko sa darating na panahon, mayroon pang magiging collaboration between GMA and ABS that will be mutually beneficial and rewarding for both of us. Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.” 

The mainstay hosts of It’s Showtime such as Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Kim Chiu, Amy Perez, Ogie Alcasid, MC, Lassy, Ion Perez, Jugs Jugueta, and Teddy Corpuz were also present at the event. 

Meanwhile, Kapamilya host Robi Domingo co-hosted the event with GMA’s Iya Villania. Robi and Iya’s hosting gig served as their reunion of sorts as the two of them worked together as VJs on the music channel MYX in the past.