Here’s What It’s Showtime Hosts Prayed for Before Moving to Their New Home on GMA 7
ITS SHOWTIME – Here’s what It’s Showtime hosts prayed for before moving to their new home on the Kapuso network.
The cast of “It’s Showtime” received the “good news” just a week before the big day. Ogie Alcasid, one of the hosts of the noontime variety show, mentioned that they were informed about it by Tita Cory (Vidanes, ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer).
In another twist in the rotation of noontime television, “It’s Showtime” is relocating to the territory of its former rival network. Following the signing of the contract on March 20, the longstanding program will be broadcast on GMA 7 from Mondays to Saturdays, commencing April 6.
Dressed in celebratory red attire, the hosts gathered for a prayer as they embarked on a gleaming float towards what ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak referred to as a “historic occasion.” “We prayed for strength and thanked the Lord for this wonderful blessing,” Ogie said. “God is so good. He really is.”
The atmosphere was lively and festive as the hosts recorded videos, interacted with the crowd, and sang the show’s theme song while their float made its way from ABS-CBN’s Sgt. Esguerra gate to GMA 7’s main entrance on Timog Avenue. They were warmly welcomed by cheering Kapuso employees and executives upon arrival.
Vhong Navarro was moved by the warm reception, Ion Perez was at a loss for words, and Vice Ganda was almost in tears, as captured in an Instagram reel posted by cohost Jugs Jugueta.
The emotions were understandable. After ABS-CBN’s franchise nonrenewal in 2020, “It’s Showtime” faced challenges securing blocktime deals with other free-to-air networks, including A2Z later that year, TV5 in 2022, and GMA’s sister channel, GTV, in 2023. Just as the show was regaining its momentum, it encountered another setback when TV5 ceased airing it in July 2023 to make way for “E.A.T.”, a new noontime show by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.
This led to the relaunch of “Eat Bulaga!” by its former producer, TAPE Inc., under the name “Tahanang Pinakamasaya,” which was ultimately canceled due to poor ratings and ad load earlier in the month. Reports suggested that GMA 7 considered creating a new show featuring hosts from the game show “TiktoClock,” but ultimately, it was ABS-CBN and “It’s Showtime” that secured the slot.
Finally settling in GMA 7, Vice expressed, “ “Noong pinasok tayo sa GTV, nabuksan ’yung bakuran. Pero nung GMA na, binuksan na talaga ’yung pinto, ‘Halika, dito na kayo sa sala.’”
The ensemble cast includes Anne Curtis, Vhong, Ion, Jugs, Ogie, Jhong Hilario, Kim Chiu, Karylle, Amy Perez, Teddy Corpuz, Ryan Bang, Jackie Gonzaga, MC Muah, Lassy Marquez, Cianne Dominguez, and Darren Espanto.
Vice described the agreement as “massive and transformative,” acknowledging that it wouldn’t have been possible without the challenges faced by GMA 7 and ABS-CBN. “Hindi mo inakala na magsasama pero posible palang mangyari,” said Vice.
Vice remarked, also expressing gratitude to GMA for extending a helping hand during their lowest moments.