TV5 has formally terminated its multi-year content and blocktime partnership with ABS-CBN—three years after both networks forged a deal that allowed the Kapamilya Network to air its programs on free TV following the non-renewal of its franchise in 2020.
The separation, confirmed on Thursday, December 4, 2025, marks the end of one of the most significant collaborations in local broadcast history.
While neither TV5 nor ABS-CBN has issued an official statement as of press time, an explosive report by Bilyonaryo revealed that the Kapatid Network allegedly sent a demand letter to ABS-CBN over what it called “serious breaches” of their June 2023 content supply agreement.
Citing the document, the report said TV5 accused ABS-CBN of failing to remit its “rightful share” of revenues amounting to ₱946.16 million as of October 30, 2025.
According to the supposed letter, ABS-CBN’s overdue remittances—held “in trust for TV5”—had deprived the network of “substantial financial resources for its operations.” TV5 also claimed that ABS-CBN’s meetings to discuss a payment plan were merely a “ploy to delay” compliance.
The network reportedly received an email stating ABS-CBN could not meet the payment schedule previously discussed, with “no indication of any future payments.”
As a result, TV5 decided to pull the plug on the supposed five-year partnership halfway through its duration, with the termination set to take effect on January 2, 2026. The network has reportedly directed ABS-CBN to commence dismantling joint operations in preparation for the split.
The ABS-CBN–TV5 collaboration began in early 2021 through a blocktime agreement that allowed Kapamilya programs—such as ‘ASAP’, ‘FPJ Da King’, and later primetime dramas including ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’—to return to free TV via the Kapatid Network.
In 2022 and 2023, the partnership expanded further to include ‘It’s Showtime’, ‘Magandang Buhay’, and several co-produced afternoon dramas.
The relationship faced turbulence when ‘It’s Showtime’ left the station in 2023 after TV5 signed the TVJ trio for ‘E.A.T.’ Despite the shake-up, both parties inked a landmark five-year content supply deal in June 2023, solidifying ABS-CBN’s primetime presence through shows like ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’.
That deal is now officially over.
The abrupt termination quickly became a trending topic online. Many netizens revisited the politically charged 2020 shutdown of ABS-CBN, calling it an “abuse of power” and claiming that the network’s downfall stemmed from political motivations. Others countered by arguing that issues during the Aquino administration should not be forgotten.
TV5 also received its share of criticism. Several comments questioned the network’s capability to sustain compelling programming without Kapamilya-produced content, with one viral remark claiming, “Good luck sa TV5, wala naman kayong napasikat na homegrown artist.”
With the partnership ending, several Kapamilya shows currently airing on TV5 are expected to be displaced unless new agreements are secured. Industry observers predict that ABS-CBN may again rely heavily on: A2Z, where many of its programs already air; • GMA Network (for Showtime, PBB), with rumors of an expanded GTV partnership; and ALLTV, which already carries Kapamilya content through Jeepney TV blocks.
None of these possibilities, however, have been confirmed.
For TV5, the network is shifting aggressively toward internally produced content. During its recent trade launch, the Kapatid Network unveiled its 2026 lineup, including ‘A Secret in Prague’ (Enrique Gil, Andrea Brillantes), ‘The Kingdom’ (Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsay), ‘The Good Doctor’ (Iñigo Pascual), ‘Master Cutter’, ‘My Bestfriend Emman’, ‘Artista Academy’, and the new dance competition ‘Isayaw Mo’.
The end of the ABS-CBN–TV5 partnership is widely seen as the “end of an era.” For three years, the collaboration served as a symbol of resilience and adaptation amid political and regulatory challenges. The move now forces both networks into a new chapter—as competitors once again, fighting for relevance in a rapidly changing media environment.
ABS-CBN and TV5 have yet to release official statements. LionhearTV will provide updates as soon as the networks comment on the issue.
