Veteran columnist Cristy Fermin believed that Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.) owned by the Jalosjos family, didn’t imagine that GMA Network would agree to air It’s Showtime in one of their channels.
In her show, Cristy said that TAPE Inc., the producer of Eat Bulaga, would be affected by the decision of GMA to bring their number one competitor into the same network.
Cristy believed that TAPE Inc. felt outsmarted by GMA Network.
“Hindi mo aakalain na ‘yung naganap na rigodon may inside job. Hindi akalain ng mga Jalosjos na eh hindi naman pala Tito, Vic and Joey and kalaban natin eh, dito pala sa loob mismo ng bakuran eh, ipinangsabong sa atin. Parang naisahan kami!” she said.
Even the Kapuso fans couldn’t believe the decision made by GMA.
“Hindi po namin maintindihan sa totoo lang kahit mga kapwa Pilipino na nakakausap namin hindi nila makuha-kuha ang punto kung bakit tinanggap ng GMA-7 sa kanilang GTV ang ‘It’s Showtime’ para makalaban sa umuupa sa kanilang bahay,” she stated.
“Parang sila mismo ang naglagay ng makakalaban,” she added.
On June 28, 2023, GMA and ABS-CBN formally signed a contract to air ‘It’s Showtime’ on GTV Channel.
Observers believed that Eat Bulaga, being replaced by It’s Showtime in the noontime slot of GMA, was not far from reality anymore.