Manny V. Pangilinan, chairman of TV5 and MediaQuest Holdings, has finally spoken about the end of the content supply agreement between TV5 and ABS-CBN, describing the conclusion as unfortunate but final.
In an interview with the Philippine Entertainment Portal on the sidelines of the live telecast of Vibe at the Meralco Theater on January 18, Pangilinan acknowledged the expiration of the nearly five-year partnership, which officially ended on January 1, 2026.
“Wala na, tapos na ’yon. It’s regretful, but it is what it is, right?” Pangilinan said.
The partnership, which brought ABS-CBN’s flagship programs to the Kapatid Network following the Kapamilya network’s franchise shutdown in 2020, ended amid reports of financial disagreements late last year. Pangilinan clarified, however, that the issues cited in earlier reports had already been resolved, and that the separation was handled on professional terms.
Despite the breakup, Pangilinan emphasized that TV5 remains open to future collaborations—not only with ABS-CBN, but even with rival network GMA Network.
“TV5 got to work with content houses, which ABS is one of them, and [it’s] a major content house,” he said.
“We’re prepared to continue working with them as a content provider and with the other content houses, including possibly even GMA. We could work together in some of the content.”
When asked directly about the possibility of working with GMA Network, Pangilinan replied, “Of course, they have to agree,” adding that he is open to discussions with the network’s top executives.
“We’re open. Friends of everyone and enemy of no one, right? This industry is too small to be overly competitive,” he stressed.
The end of the TV5–ABS-CBN partnership triggered significant changes in the local television landscape. ABS-CBN’s primetime shows transitioned to ALLTV under a licensing agreement that also carries the Kapamilya Channel branding, alongside continued simulcasts on A2Z.
Ratings data from Nielsen’s National Urban Television Audience Measurement reflected the impact of the shift. ABS-CBN’s ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ previously delivered a 5.9% rating on TV5 on December 22, 2025. Its replacement on the network’s 8:00 p.m. slot, ‘Totoy Bato’, debuted at 3.8% on January 2, 2026, but later episodes saw ratings dip to around the 1% mark.
Meanwhile, ALLTV’s primetime ratings improved following the transfer, with ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ drawing higher combined figures across ALLTV, A2Z, and Kapamilya Channel.
Amid the transition, TV5 opted to re-air former ABS-CBN collaborations ‘Nag-aapoy na Damdamin’ and ‘Pira-Pirasong Paraiso’ while preparing its slate of original primetime dramas. Pangilinan confirmed that he has become directly involved in programming decisions, meeting repeatedly with executives in the weeks following the partnership’s conclusion.
“Marami, marami. We’ve been meeting many times these past two weeks or so,” Pangilinan said when asked about TV5’s plans for 2026.
Pangilinan also expressed full support for TV5’s music countdown show ‘Vibe’, which he described as an important platform for Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
“I’m happy with Vibe. I hope they’ll keep it up. Continue to make changes to improve the quality of the show,” he said.
Reflecting on MediaQuest’s long-standing advocacy for Filipino music, Pangilinan added, “We’ve long been a supporter of OPM many years ago… Hopefully, we get the kind of recognition and appreciation as the Korean [group] BTS and the likes. We have excellent singers to market and sell to the world.”
