MediaQuest Holdings Inc. on Wednesday bared talks with ABS-CBN Corp. for the possible transfer of ‘It’s Showtime’ television program to another time slot amid the transfer of Tito and Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and other hosts of the original “Eat Bulaga” to TV5.
“We are in discussion with ABS -CBN because their block time arrangement with us expires on June 30. I don’t have an idea when TVJ [Tito, Vic and Joey] will be ready with the new format” for their program, Manuel V. Pangilinan, MediaQuest chairman, said.
It’s Showtime is the longest-running daily noontime variety show of ABS-CBN.
According to Pangilinan, TV5 is committed to support the popular trio and that in the ongoing discussions it’s either them or the other noontime program unless ABS-CBN is willing to move to another timeslot which he stressed TV5 is prepared to give.
“But it’s up to them not up to us,” Pangilinan said.
Early this month, MediaQuest signed an agreement with TVJ and other hosts of the original “Eat Bulaga” noontime show to produce content for TV5 and its other platforms.
The announcement came after TVJ and fellow hosts at the show resigned from production company TAPE Inc.
On the likelihood of the television station finally breaking even, Pangilinan said “there’s always a miracle.”
Pangilinan said TV5’s losses are “declining”.
Pangilinan earlier projected that TV5 would break even in 2019 after a series of manpower reduction in 2015 and abolishing its entertainment shows in 2016.
In 2010, MediaQuest acquired ABC Development Corp. and its blocktimer MPB Primedia Inc. from a joint consortium led by businessman Antonio Cojuangco, Jr. and Malaysia-based broadcaster Media Prima Berhad.
MediaQuest owns and operates national media firm TV5 and Nation Broadcasting Corp. as well as pay TV provider and regional radio network Cignal TV. It also owns majority interest in newspaper companies The Philippine Star and Business World Publishing Corp.
