Are ABS-CBN Shows Returning to Free TV via Zoe TV?

Two of ABS-CBN Corp's top-raters, "It's Showtime" and "ASAP Natin To," could return to free TV as early as Oct. 10, if its planned partnership with Zoe TV pushes through, PEP reported Monday. This would make the shows available to its core audience, which could not watch on cable and streaming.

Vice Ganda, one of the lead hosts of "It's Showtime," hinted at the Zoe TV set-up when he said in a recent episode that "better days are coming," according to PEP.  Both occupying the lunchtime primetime slot, "It's Showtime" airs Mondays to Saturdays while "ASAP Natin To" airs on Sundays.

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Since a House of Representatives panel denied its application for a franchise renewal last July 10, ABS-CBN has pivoted to digital and CEO Carlo Katigbak said the company would focus on its core strength -- content creation. Some ABS-CBN stars both on and off screen have announced bloctime deals with TV5.

Zoe TV has hosted blocktimers before, including GMA Network's QTV and GMA News TV. It is owned by the family of television evangelist Eduardo "Brother Eddie" Villanueva.

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