Two of the country’s biggest media networks–ABS-CBN and GMA networks cease to air their live episodes on their TV shows and are mostly airing replay episodes.
The networks mentioned that the move was their way to help in lessening the spread of COVID-19 in the country which revealed a recent spike in the active cases.
The noontime show It’s Showtime halted their live telecast since March 18. Netizens noticed that the show has only been airing replay episodes on their timeslot, which made them ask for the reason behind the replays.
It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda recently gave his response regarding the real reason for the replay episodes. He mentioned that stopping the show’s live broadcasting is part of ABS-CBN’s precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
“ABS-CBN decided to not hold LIVE programs that’s why replay muna ang shows to help the country from the surge (of COVID-19 cases),” Vice said.
ABS-CBN Head of Corporate Communications Kane Choa also posted the official statement of It’s Showtime about the suspension of the show’s live staging.
Read: ABS-CBN statement on "It's Showtime" pic.twitter.com/z2tYxqUcD2
— Kane Errol Choa (@kanechoa) March 21, 2021
What followed after It’s Showtime was the morning talk show Magandang Buhay, which also stopped airing their live episodes.
Recently, the GMA Network announced the suspension of the live episodes for their variety show All-Out Sundays (AOS). The cancellation preempted the supposed live performances for Palm Sunday on March 28.
However, the Network canceled the live telecast as well as the live performances for future episodes.
In an article by PEP, AOS Senior Program Manager Madam Ruth S. Mariñas stated that: “Because of the upsurge in COVID-cases, as a precautionary measure, it was decided to cancel AOS live show tomorrow for the safety of everyone involved in production.”
Meanwhile, TAPE Inc.‘s Eat Bulaga seems to continue with its live staging as it aired its live episode on March 30.
Recently, for more than a week, the country recorded more than 7,000 new cases. Yesterday, March 30, a record high of 9,296 new cases got logged.
741,181 confirmed cases in the country, while the confirmed deaths reached 13,191 after 5 more recorded on Tuesday. The total active cases amount to 124,680.
