GMA Network

Current version of the 2002 logo, introduced in June 28, 2024

GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a major commercial television and radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc., a publicly listed company. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961.

GMA Network (formerly known as DZBB TV Channel 7, RBS TV Channel 7, GMA Radio-Television Arts then GMA Rainbow Satellite Network) is commonly signified to as the "Kapuso Network" in reference to the outline of the company’s logo. It has also been called the “Christian Network” which refers to the apparent programming during the tenure of the new management, which took over in 1974. It is headquartered in the GMA Network Center in Quezon City and its transmitter is located at Tandang Sora Avenue, Barangay Culiat also in Quezon City.

The original meaning of the GMA acronym was Greater Manila Area, referring to the initial coverage area of the station. As the network expanded it changed into Global Media Arts. At present the corporate name is simply GMA Network, Inc.

History

1950s and 1960s

The origin of GMA Network can be traced back to Loreto F. de Hemedes Inc. through Republic Broadcasting System's DZBB, which started airing its radio broadcast on March 1, 1950, and officially launched as a local radio station in Manila in June 14, 1950 and owned by Robert La Rue “Uncle Bob” Stewart, an American war correspondent. Venturing into television in the 1960s, Stewart started its television station through DZBB TV Channel 7 on October 29, 1961, the Philippines' third terrestrial television station. Originally, DZBB TV Channel 7's programming was composed of foreign programs from the United States and it later produced local programs to cater Filipino audiences. It produced shows like Uncle Bob’s Lucky Seven Club, a child-oriented show aired every Saturday; Dance Time with Chito; Lovingly Yours, Helen; GMA Supershow (formerly Germside and then Germspesyal) and various news programs like News at Seven. And in 1963, RBS launched its first provincial television station in Cebu, DYSS Channel 7 (now GMA Cebu).

In the same year, from Loreto F. de Hemedes Inc, the firm was formally renamed to Republic Broadcasting System, Inc. (RBS)

1970s

On September 21, 1972, then President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law by the virtue of Proclamation 1081. Marcos, ruling by decree, curtailed press freedom and other civil liberties; closed down the Congress and media establishments including RBS. In December 1972, RBS was given the green light by the government to return on the air, however with limited three-month permits. Programming during that time was supplied mostly via a blocktime agreement with Philippine Production Center Inc. (PPCI), a company led by former ABS-CBN executive Romeo Jalosjos. But due to limited licenses, difficulty in financial obligations, and disallowing foreign citizens and entities from owning and operating media companies in the Philippines, Stewart and the American Broadcasting Company, which owned 25% of the company, were forced to cede majority control to a triumvirate composed of Gilberto Duavit Sr., a Malacañang official; Menardo Jimenez, an accountant; and Felipe Gozon, an attorney of the Stewarts in 1974. The station changed its name to GMA Radio-Television Arts (GMA stood for Greater Manila Area, the station's initial coverage area) and retained its corporate name Republic Broadcasting System, Inc. (until 1996). Stewart's wife Loreto was the president when the takeover ensued. The relaunched GMA, aside from sporting a light blue square logo with the network name in white, also (until 1980) had a circle 7 logo in use, in its final years the blue circle 7 logo used was similar to those used by the ABC in some United States cities.

After that, Rod Reyes, then-general manager of RBS, recruited old-timers from ABS-CBN, including those from its news and entertainment divisions. After the Duavit-Jimenez-Gozon takeover, the station began to broadcast in color with an ₱8 million credit line thru buying telecine machines and acquired foreign programs. Ratings were up from #5 to #3 that time.

1980s

During martial law under the Marcos regime, GMA managed to broadcast the funeral of senator Ninoy Aquino, a public opposition leader who was assassinated in August 1983, the only local network to do so. In 1984, Imee Marcos, daughter of Ferdinand Marcos, attempted to take over GMA. However, the takeover was prevented by the network executives. Stewart left the country for good as a result. The network played an instrumental role during the years preceding the People Power Revolution. They were the first to air an interview with Corazon Aquino in 1984, as well as when she announced her intention to run for presidency once she receives one million signatures. During the People Power Revolution, the network was also the first to report that Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile broke away from the Marcos administration. GMA's rival ABS-CBN reopened in September 1986 and convinced key people to transfer networks including Freddie M. Garcia along with key people from the network's Marketing and Engineering departments.

The People Power Revolution enabled previously closed down television stations to air again. However, the political instability during Aquino's term added burden to the network, most notably when it was stormed by rebel soldiers for two days as a part of an attempted coup against the Aquino administration. In 1987, the network broadcast its programs for the first time in full stereo, the first VHF television network to do so in the country. Additionally, Broadway Centrum opened, and in 1988, they also inaugurated the Template:Convert, 120 kW Tower of Power in Quezon City, the tallest man-made structure in the country.

1990s

In 1992, the Philippine Congress passed a law granting the network to operate for another 25 years. The network then targeted international reach in the 1990s. Through its relay stations, GMA programs were seen across the country as well as Southeast Asia. GMA programming started airing in 60 American cities and parts of South America through the International Channel Network.Template:Citation needed

GMA was selected to be the official broadcaster for the 1995 World Youth Day, when Pope John Paul II visited the country again. During the same year, popular TV shows Eat Bulaga! and Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! began broadcasting on GMA after TAPE Inc., the programs' production company, refused an ABS-CBN proposal to buy the airing rights of the two shows. Around the same time, the network launched a UHF channel subsidiary, Citynet 27, several new shows (including weekly late-night show Bubble Gang), as well as the late night news program Saksi. The network also adapted the 700 Club series as The 700 Club Asia.

In 1995, GMA founded its own film production company, Cinemax Studios (renamed to GMA Films in 1998, then GMA Pictures in 2019) for the film Run Barbi Run, marking the second film studio owned by another network after Star Cinema (founded in 1993 by ABS-CBN). In 1998, the company produced the biopic film José Rizal, then the most expensive Filipino film produced, and had a successful run, garnering many accolades and nominations from award-giving bodies.

GMA formally changed its corporate name in 1996 to GMA Network Inc., with the acronym 'GMA' now standing for Global Media Arts. In 1999, GMA aired the Filipino language television news program GMA Network News, originally an English language newscast, then a rarity in Philippine television.

GMA was the first Philippine broadcaster to receive a Peabody Award for Investigative Reporting in 1999. Later, Citynet 27 became EMC, the first local music video-oriented TV channel, which became part of the short-lived Channel V franchise called Channel V Philippines. GMA broadcast the international millennium television special 2000 Today. The network then began airing 24-hour broadcasting until the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) released and implemented a new set of rules and regulations with its affiliated free-to-air TV networks in 2001.

In October 2000, Menardo Jimenez officially announced his retirement as president and CEO of the network beginning December 6 of the same year, with Felipe Gozon assumed his office in concurrent capacity as the chairman of the network, while Duavit Sr.'s son Gilberto "Jimmy" Duavit Jr. was appointed by GMA Network's Board of Directors as Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company.

2000s

GMA officially revealed its present logo and image during an episode of its noontime show SOP on October 27, 2002. The following year, Saksi won a New York Television Festival Gold Medal for its newscast, the first Filipino news program to do so. This win, along with the Peabody Award in 1999, earned the network a commendation from the House of Representatives later that year. On September 1, 2003, GMA withdrew its membership from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), after various issues and incidents involving its news talents and the cable firm Sky Cable's alleged distortion of GMA's signal on its system, among other factors. The network premiered several programs in 2004: 24 Oras (a newscast), Reporter's Notebook (a documentary), Pinoy Pop Superstar (a singing search), Mulawin (a fantasy series) and Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (a magazine show).

In 2005, subsidiary Citynet signed an agreement with ZOE Broadcasting Network. From 2005 to 2019, ZOE's flagship station DZOE-TV Channel 11, went on air as Quality TeleVision, and later reformatted as the GMA News TV and now known as GTV (currently on DWDB-TV Channel 27). The network planned to offer its initial public offering; however, the plan was delayed due to political instability during Arroyo's administration, among other factors. In 2007, the network announced its initial public offering after several setbacks.

In 2006, Debate with Mare at Pare, a late-night public affairs program, won the bronze medal at the New York Television Festival. The network was also praised for its coverage on the Wowowee stampede by local publications.Template:Citation needed An exclusive interview by Mike Enriquez to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after the lifting of the state of national emergency was allowed by GMA to be aired by other networks without prior consent, and was also similarly praised including the president herself. In April the same year, GMA founder Robert Stewart died while in the United States. The network supported and documented the successful attempt of mountain climber Romi Garduce to reach the summit of Mount Everest, only the third Filipino to do so.

The network started producing local adaptation of television franchises from other countries, starting from Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition with FremantleMedia. They later produces local adaptations of the drama show Marimar, sci-fi show Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan, quiz show Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5?, and game show Whammy! Push Your Luck. The network announced in 2007 that they would also adapt the Idol franchise. Since an earlier adaptation of the franchise was made by Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC) (under the name Philippine Idol), the new adaptation would be transferred to GMA under the new name Pinoy Idol.

In 2008 and 2009, GMA produced a diverse set of shows for its primetime block by airing several adaptations of Carlo J. Caparas and Mars Ravelo works, including Joaquin Bordado (2008), Dyesebel (2008) Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang (2009), Darna (2009), and Totoy Bato (2009), along with several original shows like Gagambino, Codename: Asero, Luna Mystika, among others. They also aired an adaptation of the Survivor franchise, titled Survivor Philippines, as well as a local Filipino adaptation of a Korean drama, titled Ako si Kim Samsoon. Their evening newscast 24 Oras received two awards in the New York Television Festival, a gold medal for Best Continuing Coverage and a silver medal for Best News Program

2010s

In 2010, for the first and second quarters, GMA Network released new soaps and shows like The Last Prince, Panday Kids, First Time, Laff En Roll, Diva, Zooperstars, Claudine, Wipeout, Pepito Manaloto, Wachamakulit, Sunnyville, Comedy Bar, Love Bug, Langit sa Piling Mo, Pilyang Kerubin, Endless Love, Danz Showdown, as well as Diz Iz It! which replaced the longest morning talk show SiS along Party Pilipinas which replaced SOP and Koreana and Little Star which replaced Sine Novela marking the return of original concepts on their afternoon line-up.

In 2011, GMA Network offered an afternoon line-up which includes Nita Negrita, Magic Palayok, Alakdana, Sisid, My Lover, My Wife and Kung Aagawin Mo ang Langit. In the prime-time line-up, GMA released I Heart You, Pare!, Dwarfina, Machete, Captain Barbell, Munting Heredera, the first historical drama of the Philippines entitled Amaya and they offered the first TV remake drama series Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin.

In 2012, the network offered a line-up of television series featuring original concepts for the first quarter, in both their primetime and afternoon blocks such as Legacy, Biritera and My Beloved on GMA Telebabad and Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis, Broken Vow, The Good Daughter and Hiram na Puso on GMA Afternoon Prime.

On February 1, 2012, GMA Network announced it has signed a three-year deal with Fox International Channels which allows locally produced GMA's shows and feature films to be aired on FOX cable channels. The said deal covers a minimum of 350 hours' worth of programs and 25 feature films. Among the programs delivered to FOX for airing in its Philippine feed are: Encantadia, Darna, Dyesebel, Super Twins, Stairway to Heaven, Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit, Trudis Liit and Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita, and news and public affairs shows like Wish Ko Lang, Pinoy Meets World and Pinoy Abroad. While the films covered by the deal are: My Best Friend's Girlfriend, When I Met U, Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie, Temptation Island and José Rizal.

On February 22, 2012, GMA Films' President Annette Gozon-Abrogar and director Yam Laranas announced that the thriller movie The Road was commercially released and shown in over 50 theaters across North America and Canada on May 11, 2012, a first for a local Filipino motion picture.

On February 28, 2012, the network announced the retirement of senior vice president for the Entertainment Group, Wilma Galvante. The announcement came about after Galvante officially retired from the network, ending her 19 years of service as entertainment head. GMA Network appointed Lilybeth Rasonable as Officer-in-charge of the Entertainment Group. Rasonable has been with the network since 1998 and has served as program manager, assistant vice president, and vice president for drama for the Entertainment Group. Her latest position prior to the appointment has seen her supervising the group's afternoon and primetime teledramas.

In April 2012, GMA Network's president and COO Gilberto Duavit Jr. announced that the network hit consolidated revenues at 13.083 billion pesos in 2011. That's despite the absence of 2.054 billion pesos' worth of revenues from political ads generated in 2010 and the global impact of financial crisis in Europe and slow economic recovery in the U.S. in 2011.

On October 4, 2012, the network announced the termination of negotiations with MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. (an affiliate of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company) owned by businessman and TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan. Since the beginning of the year, Mr. Pangilinan had been vocal with his interest to acquire GMA Network, saying that he "talked to them, ... since 2002, and then maybe five years ago." Following the return of the negotiations of GMA Network to the PLDT Group, Manny V. Pangilinan confirming on March 4, 2014, that the offer to buy 34% stake at GMA Network was expired in February of the same year.

In 2013, GMA Network launched a new line-up of shows including Indio, Forever, Bukod Kang Pinagpala, Unforgettable, Vampire ang Daddy Ko, Mundo Mo'y Akin, Alisto, Love & Lies, Kakambal ni Eliana, Home Sweet Home, Maghihintay Pa Rin, My Husband's Lover, One Day Isang Araw, Sunday All Stars, Binoy Henyo, Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas, Dormitoryo, Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko, Kahit Nasaan Ka Man, Genesis, Katipunan, a remake of Villa Quintana, Bingit and Adarna.

On May 5, 2014, GMA Network chairman and CEO, attorney Felipe L. Gozon confirmed the networked has entered negotiations with San Miguel Corporation president and COO Ramon S. Ang. A month after, on June 24, 2014, GMA Network's major stockholders announced it will sell 30% of their equity shares of the network to Ang in his personal capacity. San Miguel Corporation is not involved in Ang's acquisition of the shares. In June 2015, GMA in a disclosure to the securities commission said that talks with Ramon Ang has bogged down. In that same year, the network won another Peabody Award for its coverage of Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Supertyphoon Yolanda).

In April 2015, GMA Network implemented a series of budget cuts towards its regional TV stations, by terminating at least 200 regional employees, downgrading its originating TV stations in Bacolod, Naga, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Ilocos to 'satellite-selling' or relay TV stations, and cancelling morning shows in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Dagupan, reportedly in order for them to "streamline their operations for increased ratings and revenue". In November that same year, the network also downgraded its originating station in Iloilo City into 'relay-selling' or satellite TV station and cancelling Ratsada 24 Oras following the retrenchment of 20 employees from the news department as part of the strategic streamlining undertaken by GMA Network.

In 2016, GMA Network launched a new line-up of shows including Wish I May, That's My Amboy, Dear Uge, Lip Sync Battle Philippines, Hanggang Makita Kang Muli, The Millionaire's Wife, Poor Señorita, Yan ang Morning!, Once Again, Juan Happy Love Story, Magkaibang Mundo, Laff Camera Action, A1 Ko Sa 'Yo, Hay, Bahay!, Conan, My Beautician, a new version of Encantadia, Superstar Duets, Alyas Robin Hood, Hahamakin ang Lahat, Tsuperhero and Ika-6 na Utos.

On April 21, 2017, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10925 which renewed GMA Network's license for another 25 years. The law granted GMA Network a franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes, radio broadcasting stations and television stations, including digital television system, with the corresponding facilities such as relay stations, throughout the Philippines.

On March 9, 2018, GMA Network launched its new slogan "Buong Puso Para Sa Kapuso" (lit. Wholehearted for the One in Heart) with a new station ID. However, the network's current station ID in short version during the top/bottom of the hour in different variants before start the programs as well as during commercial breaks/reminders it also aired on its sister channel, GMA News TV. On August 27, 2018, GMA regional stations in Iloilo and Bacolod were upgraded again to originating station as GMA Western Visayas following the launch of the new regional news program One Western Visayas.

On December 14, 2018, GMA Network's founding chairman Atty. Gilberto M. Duavit Sr. died at the age of 84. He was GMA Network's chairman from 1974 to 1976 and sat as one of the network's board of directors in 1977. He rejoined the network's board of directors in 2016 until the time of his death.

On February 22, 2019, the network has announced that they will be investing ₱1 billion for the second phase of their digitization project.

2020s

On January 1, 2020, GMA Network began the celebration of its 70th anniversary and its flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV also began the celebration of its 15th anniversary with a variation of its current slogan: Buong Puso Para sa Pilipino (as GMA Network) and Buong Puso Para sa Kapuso Abroad (as GMA Pinoy TV). Along with their anniversary celebration, a new program lineup for 2020 was revealed, which was started by All-Out Sundays, Descendants of the Sun, the remake of the 1984 Philippine film Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday, Love of My Life, Saturday edition of Wowowin (also dubbed as Wowowin Primetime), Centerstage, Ilaban Natin 'Yan! (which was first known as "Doon Tayo Sa Tama"), and the remake of 1989 film Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit. Alongside, they also revealed future programs such as Alamat ng Agimat, First Yaya, Sanggang Dikit, Legal Wives, Babawiin Ang Lahat (retitled as Babawiin Ko ang Lahat in 2021), Seed of Love, Lolong, Owe My Love, Taiwan and Only, Sing 4 Hearts and Catch Me Out Philippines.

On March 14, 2020, GMA Network announced the suspension of production of current programs, especially its live shows, due to President Rodrigo Duterte implementing an enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and Luzon in line with restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Thus, the network aired reruns of some drama series, including Encantadia, Kambal, Karibal, Ika-6 na Utos, My Husband's Lover, Onanay and Alyas Robin Hood.

On August 24, 2020, GMA Network resumed production of current programs. Template:Citation needed

On April 5, 2022, GMA Network announced a deal with ABS-CBN Corporation that would allow Star Cinema films to air on GMA's local channels. On November 11, 2022, GMA Network announced a collaboration with ABS-CBN and Dreamscape Entertainment for a new drama series in 2023.

On February 27, 2023, GMA Network along with their sister channel, GTV (owned by Citynet Network Marketing and Productions Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of GMA Network Inc.), as well as four free-to-air GMA Affordabox digital subchannels (Heart of Asia Channel, Hallypop, I Heart Movies and Pinoy Hits) and three pay TV international channels (GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International) have switched its airing of aspect ratio format quality on the channel feed and its programming to Anamorphic widescreen ratio format (16:9) as announced on February 24 that being converted its mitigation of reception through analog (until end of the year) and digital signal reception through free TV and other cable and satellite providers after more than 61 years on the usage of broadcast video picture resolution that migrated from standard-definition format (4:3).

On December 9, 2023, during his 84th birthday celebration at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila, Atty. Felipe Gozon announced that he retired from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GMA Network Inc. and he replaced by the company's President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Gilberto Duavit Jr. starting January 1, 2024. However, Gozon remained as Chairman of the Board and become as Adviser of the company.

Branding

Network identity

On October 29, 1961, Loreto F. de Hemedes Inc. launches its first television station in the Philippines, known back then as RBS TV Channel 7. GMA Network began branding its identity by eliminating call signs to its network identification.

• RBS TV Channel 7 (1961–1974) – From the success of its amplitude modulation band radio DZBB, Robert La Rue "Uncle Bob" Stewart launches its first television and the Philippines' fifth terrestrial channel, RBS TV Channel 7.
• GMA Radio-Television Arts (1974–1992) – To ascertain its presence in its coverage area, the Greater Manila Area, RBS changed its name to GMA Radio-Television Arts after the takeover by the new management.
• GMA Rainbow Satellite Network (Rainbow Network, 1992–1995) – When the network launched its satellite to widen its coverage area, GMA again rebranded its network identity on April 30, 1992.
• GMA Network (Rainbow Network, 1995–2002) – In preparation for the 45th year of responsible broadcasting, GMA Rainbow Satellite was simplified to GMA Network.
• GMA Network (Kapuso Network, 2002–present) – On October 27, 2002, GMA Network unveiled its new identity and catchphrase. In an effort to localize and transform its image into a more intrinsic Filipino network, GMA Network engaged in a rebranding course.

Logos

Main article: GMA Network logo

GMA Network has used a number of logos throughout its history especially when Gozon, Jimenez, and Duavit acquired the station in 1975. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the network used the Circle 7 logo for its Metro Manila and Cebu stations, which is also expended by several networks around the world (predominately the O&O stations of ABC in the United States). In the 1980s, to refine its presence in the Philippine broadcast industry, GMA Network used the slogan "Where You Belong", and lasted for two decades before invigorating to another catchphrase. In 1992, GMA Network redefines itself as the Rainbow Network, succeeding the ensigns of the rainbow. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the network used the rainbow symbol before having it replaced by its current logo in 2002 and as the Kapuso Network. After a huge marketing campaign, and improved television ratings, the new insignia (the rainbow-colored stylized heart-shape logo known as "Kapuso") is now one of the most recognizable in the Philippines.

Slogans

"Kapuso ng Bawat Pilipino" ("One in Heart with Every Filipino") is the secondary characteristic catchphrase of GMA Network. The slogan was initially used in conjunction with the rebranding of GMA Network as the Kapuso Network on October 27, 2002. (Currently, it is used in its Regional TV stations). But another slogan of the network "Kapuso, Anumang Kulay ng Buhay" ("One in Heart, in Every Colors of Life") is still used in other purposes and this is the official theme song title for the network. GMA Network's news and public affairs department meanwhile uses the slogan "Serbisyong Totoo" ("True Service") It is one of the longest running slogans used for news broadcast promotion. GMA Network found itself on the other end of a battle concerning the slogan, when ABS-CBN News Channel uses similar catchphrase, and immediately discontinued in order to avoid legal predicament from GMA Network. In 2006, its news department also used an accompanying slogan, "Just News", for its promotional campaign together with its news media partners, INQ7.Net. In 2018, the network introduced a new corporate slogan, "Buong Puso para sa Kapuso" ("Wholehearted for the One in Heart") which presented GMA's effort to bring programs, relevant shows, multi-awarded newscasts and documentaries and other services through TV, radio and online format from its birth to the present time, from the Philippines and abroad. In 2020, a variation of the slogan "Buong Puso para sa Pilipino" ("Wholehearted for the Filipino") was unveiled on its 70th anniversary (currently used as a secondary slogan for its original 2018 slogan). It is currently shown on programming promo plugs of the network on TV and its Social Media channels, and "Buong Puso para sa Pinoy Abroad" ("Wholehearted for the Filipino Abroad") for celebrating GMA Pinoy TV's 15th anniversary. In 2024, ahead to its 75th anniversary, GMA Network unveil a new slogan, "Isa sa Puso ng Pilipino" ("One with the Heart of Filipino") along with a new station ID.

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by GMA Network

GMA Network television programming comprises news and current affairs, local dramas and soap operas, anime series, variety and musical shows, foreign cartoons, children's shows, talk shows, reality programs, sports, and film presentations. Most of the programs are broadcast live and taped in its GMA Network Centers and Studios located in Metropolitan Manila. GMA Network currently programs 20.5 hours of programming per day. It provides 34.5 hours of prime-time programming per week to its owned and affiliated stations: on Weekdays, 4:00–10:00 p.m. on Mondays to Thursdays, 10:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. on Fridays, 10:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. on Saturdays, 4:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m. on Sundays. Programming is also provided from 4:00 p.m.–2:40 a.m. on Weekdays in the form of Unang Hirit; the two-and-half hour weekday noontime variety show It's Showtime; early afternoon dramas (Afternoon Prime block), early- and late-evening news program, 24 Oras and Saksi, respectively; prime-time programing through its Prime block; late afternoon current affairs shows produced by its news and public affairs department.