Vice Ganda denies ‘It’s Showtime’ owes GMA money. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN

Comedian-host Vice Ganda debunked allegations that their show “It’s Showtime” is in debt to GMA Network, where it currently airs.

During the Dec. 17 episode of the show, Vice Ganda refuted the debt claims as he and fellow hosts lauded the shiny stage of the show’s segment, “Tawag ng Tanghalan.”

“Budgeted na tayo dito (We have a budget here), umaasenso na tayo (we are financially growing),” said Vhong Navarro.

“Let’s claim it, umaasenso tayo (we are progressing). At hindi totoong may utang ang Showtime sa GMA (and there is no truth to the claims that Showtime is in debt to GMA),” emphasized Vice Ganda.

“Oo nga sino ba kasi nagpakalat non? (Yes, right, whoever started that rumor?)” pitched in Kim Chiu.

The hosts then gave a shoutout to GMA’s senior vice president for Talent Management, Programming, Worldwide, and Support Groups, Atty. Annette Gozon.

“Bongga talaga ‘to si Ms. Annette (she’s so great). I love you, Ms. Annette,” said Vice Ganda, adding that the executive has a Christmas treat for the show.

In a previous interview, Gozon stated that “It’s Showtime” doesn’t owe GMA any money and that they were in the process of renewing its contract with the network.

“Wala silang utang (They don’t have any debt). Sa ratings, wala kaming problema, kasi ang taas taas ng ratings ng Showtime (When it comes to ratings, we don’t have a problem because Showtime has high ratings),” she said.

“It’s Showtime” began airing on GMA’s secondary channel, GTV, on July 1, 2023, after the program formally ended its partnership with TV5.

In March 2024, GMA and ABS-CBN inked a new partnership that allowed “It’s Showtime” to fill the prime noontime slot of Channel 7, becoming the first-ever Kapamilya show to do so in the history of both networks.

“It’s Showtime” also airs on free-to-air stations A2Z and ALLTV, pay television Kapamilya Channel, and online via Kapamilya Online Live and iWantTFC.