In a stunning and no-holds-barred statement, GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe Gozon has finally broken his silence and slammed TAPE Inc., the embattled production company behind Eat Bulaga! — the longest-running noontime show in Philippine television history.

Sources say Gozon, who has maintained a diplomatic stance throughout the ongoing Eat Bulaga crisis, has had enough. In a closed-door meeting that has now made headlines, the GMA boss reportedly gave a firm and unfiltered message to the Jalosjos-led TAPE Inc:

“Give it up. It’s time to let go of Eat Bulaga.”

Tensions at Breaking Point

The move comes amid months of tension between GMA7 and TAPE Inc., following the controversial exit of the original Dabarkads trio — Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon — and the show’s gradual decline in ratings and advertiser support.

A network insider revealed that Gozon has grown frustrated over what he allegedly views as “damage control gone wrong” by TAPE, and the apparent refusal to restore Eat Bulaga’s former glory by reconciling with its original hosts.

“Chairman Gozon is a lawyer. He weighs everything carefully. But when he speaks with this kind of finality, you know the bridge is burning,” said one GMA executive.

A Power Play or A Wake-Up Call?

Industry observers believe Gozon’s blunt message is a calculated move to push TAPE Inc. into a corner, especially now that GMA has other competing shows gaining traction in the noontime slot. There are even whispers that a legal and contractual battle may soon unfold, depending on TAPE’s next move.

“Eat Bulaga is no longer what it used to be. Without the original hosts, the soul of the show is missing,” one critic noted. “Perhaps Gozon is simply saying what millions of viewers have already accepted.”

What Happens Next?

So far, TAPE Inc. has not released a statement in response to Gozon’s remarks. However, fans and media are now speculating if this is the beginning of the end for the current version of Eat Bulaga! — or the spark of a major shake-up in Philippine noontime TV.

As Chairman Felipe Gozon takes a bold and public stand, one thing is clear: the battle for Eat Bulaga is no longer just about ratings — it’s about legacy, ownership, and the future of Filipino entertainment.

Atty. Felipe Gozon declares GMA-7 is No. 1 in ratings: “You can really count on that, that’s the truth.”
Atty. Felipe Gozon: “You can really count on that, that’s the truth.”
GMA President and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon declares that GMA Network is now leading in the ratings game, according to ratings data provider AGB Nielsen.

During the December 15 #PaskongKapuso 2016 Christmas Party for the Press, Atty. Gozon said that their ratings lead is being questioned, which is why he explained the difference between AGB Nielsen and ABS-CBN’s ratings provider Kantar Media.

He said, “Dini-dispute yung ating ratings lead, that’s why I want to say a few words on that.

“Our service provider is AGB Nielsen, the combined AGB noong araw at saka Nielsen.

“Nielsen is the number one ratings provider in the United States, but as a lawyer, I will only tell you the most important distinction.

“Nielsen has 900 more people meters than the service provider of Channel 2, which is Kantar.

“Not only that, there are really more television subscribers in Nielsen than in Kantar.”

Aside from GMA Network, other companies subscribed to Nielsen are: TV5 and Aksyon TV, CNN Philippines, Net 25, Ebiquity-Faulkner CBN Asia and TAPE Inc.; and major advertising and media agencies such as Dentsu Aegis Network (Carat, Mediaforce Vizeum, Dentsu), GroupM (Mediacom, Mindshare, MEC and Maxus), Omnicom Media Group (OMD, PHD and M2M), Zenith Optimedia, and Starcom Mediavest.

Atty. Gozon also stood by the motto of GMA News and Public Affairs when he declared that they are No. 1 in the ratings game.

He pointed out, “And you probably know that Channel 7 is not only impartial, unprotected, and without lies.

“So when we say we are the top in the ratings, you can really count on that being true.”

Based on TV ratings data released in October by AGB Nielsen, GMA overtook ABS-CBN in National Urban Philippines based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement (NUTAM) data.

GMA got an average people audience share of 38.3%, beating the Kapamilya network’s 37.9%. This is from the period of September 1 to October 13.From October 13 to November 16, the Kapuso network scored a total day people audience share of 40.1 percent, or 4.3 points higher than ABS-CBN’s 35.8 percent in NUTAM.

In the latest AGB Nielsen survey, from the period of November 1 to December 13, GMA registered a total day household audience share of 38.2 percent in NUTAM, besting ABS-CBN’s 34.4 percent.

The epic telefantasia Encantadia remained as the No. 1 program in NUTAM with 24.6 percent.