From former noontime rivals, It’s Showtime and Lunch Out Loud are now allies in giving their audience the best noontime programming ever.
On Wednesday, July 6, TV5 confirmed that the Kapamilya noontime show It’s Showtime will be airing soon on the Kapatid network.
A Facebook post on News5’s page and a news report by MJ Marfori on Frontline Pilipinas confirmed that It’s Showtime and Lunch Out Loud will be teaming up this coming July to strengthen TV5’s noontime programming further.
But what will happen to LOL now that It’s Showtime will most probably take over its current timeslot?
Currently, LOL aired in the same timeslot as It’s Showtime. Although MJ Marfori gave no specific details, she said that the two shows would go back-to-back, giving their lunchtime viewers fun and happiness.
Now, the question is, where will Lunch Out Loud sit once It’s Showtime goes onboard on TV5?
There are only two options it’s either pre-programming or post-programming timeslot.
Putting LOL in It’s Showtime’s pre-programming slot will test if they really built a following for the past years.
After it’s launch in October 2020, LOL boost of being the 2nd most-watched noontime show after the country’s longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga!.
LOL, for the longest time, has been bragging about that distinction since that position was previously held by It’s Showtime during the pre-ABS-CBN shutdown.
“Awa naman ng Diyos, after Eat Bulaga, kami na. Ganoon na yung ratings,” said one of its hosts Bayani Agbayani.
Their rating ranking was also used to dispel rumors of the show’s cancellation after TV5 axed their former Sunday variety noontime show Sunday Noontime Live and was replaced by the simulcast broadcast of ABS-CBN’s ASAP Natin ‘To in January 2021.
Following the cancellation of SNL, many netizens have speculated that LOL will be the next to be axed to give way to It’s Showtime’s entry to the Kapatid Network. The rumors, however, died down when TV5 continued to air LOL.
Meanwhile, if TV5 decided to put LOL as It’s Showtime’s post-programming, it will most probably boost LOL more.
Traditionally, if a show’s pre-program is strong, the next program benefits from viewer retention. So if It’s Showtime will be LOL’s pre-programming, it is a strong brand that will help LOL attract more viewers.
With It’s Showtime’s established brand for over a decade, they have proven to be a force to reckon with in the noontime TV competition.
In fact, despite its limited reach on A2Z Channel 11, It’s showtime managed to beat LOL in the ratings game for several instances.
And with that, it’s safe to say that It’s Showtime will definitely compliment LOL, and it will be LOL’s opportunity to prove that they can also compliment It’s Showtime in return.
