Broadcast firm TV5 Network Inc. is in talks with ABS-CBN Corp. on the status of their block time arrangement on a noontime slot following the transfer of iconic comedy trio Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon collectively known as TVJ.
Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of PLDT Inc. and Mediaquest Holding Inc., operator of TV5 told reporters the company is in discussion with ABS-CBN on how they can proceed with their block time arrangement for “It’s Showtime” set to expire on June 30.
ABS-CBN started broadcasting its noontime program “It’s Showtime” on TV5 in July last year.
Last week, the MediaQuest group signed an agreement with TVJ, their co-hosts, and creative staff for the official transfer to TV5 following their resignation from Television and Production Exponents, Inc. , producer of noontime show Eat Bulaga on May 31.
As part of the agreement, “Tito, Vic, Joey, and the Dabarkads will produce content for TV5 and other Mediaquest platforms.
“I believe TV5 committed with TVJ the noon time slot, it’s either them or showtime, if ABS-CBN is willing to go to another timeslot, it’s up to them,” Pangilinan said
Meanwhile, MediaQuest is optimistic TV5’s operation will further improve with the transfer of TVJ.
Pangilinan said TV5 has yet to achieve the target to break even, but its losses have gone down.
TV5 is a unit of PLDT through MediaQuest.
