GMA will not air the replay of the Manny Pacquiao-Brandon Rios fight, presumably for ratings and earnings concerns.
For the past few weeks, GMA has been replaying classic fights of Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios, which I think is unnecessary. And now GMA is not even willing to air a replay of the Pacquiao-Rios fight this Sunday night, and instead they gave the airtime to an Aljur Abrenica concert. It is a last-second decision that is undeserving and unfaithful to the network.
This is not the first time that GMA refused to schedule the same-day replay of a Pacquiao fight. From 2008-11, Pacquiao replays were aired on RPN 9, before it was reformatted to ETC. When Solar found no takers for a free TV replay, GMA stepped in and replayed the fights on either the main Channel 7 or News TV 11. However, after recent Pacquiao losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez, GMA decided to again defer from airing the same-day replays and Solar was forced to look for a free TV partner.
At the last minute, IBC 13 stepped in to air the replay. The network, which recently ended its blocktime deal with TV5 last May, has a reputation for airing sports events, even introducing Manny Pacquiao to Filipino viewers in 1996. However, its signal quality will be put into question, so it remains to be seen how IBC would fare in airing the replay.
Meanwhile, GMA’s snub underscores its lack of purpose towards sports coverage. I have already written before about GMA’s lack of sports coverage, and their non-committal to a same-day Pacquiao replay was an example of their reluctance. They would have also moved the replay to GMA News TV, but they have previously committed to air the documentary on the John F. Kennedy assassination.
Instead the viewers who missed out have no choice but to watch the fight on IBC 13. And it’s a bad thing, because GMA has the wider reach and the superior signals, giving them a clear advantage. However, concerns on earnings and slumping ratings left the network with no option but to refuse a replay of the fight.
In the end, what GMA did is an act of cowardliness. Refusing to air an encore presentation of the Pacquiao-Rios fight was an example of how the Kapuso network had become: a cheap, inept and reckless network. And should Pacquiao lose, it will only add insult to injury for the management.
From the Tube 
GMA is airing the Aljur Abrenica concert primarily to boost the popularity of its male contract star. The network co-produced the concert. And besides, no Sunday All-Stars tomorrow. We all know that Aljur is part of that show.
Yeah but it came at a wrong time. They would have aired it tonight or last week. Sadly management was reluctant to move it so instead of a Pacquiao replay (which is now on IBC) it’s Aljur opposite the ‘Be Careful’ wedding special and ‘Bonifacio’.
That’s what’s wrong with GMA. They sacrificed the Pacquiao replay by giving more airtime to Aljur who is not really as talented as a Dingdong Dantes. GMA should have aired that concert last week instead of Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
In my opinion, GMA is airing Aljur’s concert to appease his fans who will miss him on Sunday All-Stars since the show will not be aired tomorrow because of Pacquiao’s fight.
what time will the replay be on IBC?
The replay started around 30 minutes ago. Go watch now.
and now Manny is retiring and moving on to the world of politics… we just rest this case.
Indeed.
It’s almost one week before the Pacquiao fight and Solar Sports has yet to announced their coveror of Pacquiao vs. Vargas fight on free television… So far, only SS and Solar All Access (on pay per view) are committed to air this fight.
Well, GMA already made the announcement that they’ll be airing the Pacquiao fight.
Also, Nonito Donaire will be in the same card as Pacquiao’s, but since Pacquiao is the main eventer here, the latter’s airing rights will come into play. Thus ABS-CBN, which had been airing Donaire (and other Top Rank) fights for a long time now, is out of the picture.
Ayan naman pala. Sa GMA ulit ang laban as usual.
Loyalty lang talaga ang dahilan kung bakit umeere pa rin ang mga laban ni Pacquiao sa GMA. There’s no surprises here whenever he fights.