Felipe Gozon expects higher ‘Showtime’ TV ratings with GMA noontime slot

Felipe Gozon expects higher ‘Showtime’ TV ratings with GMA noontime slot. Image: Instagram/@GMA Network

GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon gladly welcomed “It’s Showtime” anew to air on its main channel, saying he expects a significant boost for the ABS-CBN noontime show’s TV ratings following their partnership.

Gozon spoke about this as he disclosed ABS-CBN executive Carlo Katigbak’s promise to him, during the contract-signing event held at the GMA Network Center on Wednesday, March 20.

“I was telling Carlo a little while ago—the fact that we are holding this signing here, we don’t need to say anything more about your being welcomed in GMA,” Gozon said, reiterating how the network war between the Kapuso and Kapamilya networks is over.

“I think we can expect more mutually beneficial collaborations [that] will benefit the viewing public,” he continued. “Kaya’t I hope—pinangako naman sa akin ni Carlo na gagandahan niya ‘yung programa niyo ngayong dalawa na ang platforms niyong malakas. But even without Carlo’s promise, alam ko naman ‘yon.”

(So I hope—Carlo already promised me to improve your show now that you are airing on two platforms. But even without Carlo’s promise, I’m assured that you’d do that.)

Giving more emphasis on his expectations from “It’s Showtime,” Gozon added: “Kaya we expect—I say expect, not hope—na tataas ang rating ng ‘It’s Showtime’ magbuhat ng April 6 dahil dala-dalawa na ang malakas na platforms niyo.”

(So I expect—I say expect, not hope—that “It’s Showtime’s” TV ratings will increase starting April 6 because you already have two dominant platforms.)

The camera then panned to the “It’s Showtime” hosts, showing a seemingly pressured Vice Ganda letting out a deep sigh. Nonetheless, event hosts Iya Villania and Robi Domingo underscored that such is a “good kind of pressure.”

Katigbak also gave a message during the event, thanking the GMA executives for being welcoming and for holding the “historic occasion.”

“Cory [Vidanes] really wanted us to come to this building because we wanted to prove to you how special this partnership is to us. In our 30 years working in ABS-CBN, we have never walked through your doors, and so thank you for this historic occasion,” Katigbak said.

“…One of the reasons why I feel our partnership has been so successful is that we both share the same objective of bringing the best stories and the best programs to as many Filipinos as possible,” he stated.

Katigbak addressed Vice Ganda and his fellow hosts, with the ABS-CBN executive saying he’s grateful to them for never giving up. Katigbak also vowed to make the “It’s Showtime” pilot episode on GMA on April 6 a “very, very special one.”

“We’ve been given a very special opportunity to work with GMA. Let’s go the extra mile, guys, to prove to our partners that we deserve this chance and that we are worthy of the trust that they put in us,” the ABS-CBN executive said.