Irrelevance on Sundays are becoming a norm for GMA, even in the early mornings.
On the first Sunday of 2015, the first two programs that GMA aired were ‘In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley’ and ‘Jesus The Healer’. What happened next shocked even the most religious of viewers.
Instead of the ‘Family TV Mass’ that is produced by the Society of Divine Word – Mission Communications Foundation, Inc. (SVD-MCFI), GMA brought back ‘Kapuso Sine Klasika’, another movie block of theirs. An hour later, ‘Family TV Mass’ returned to its old home, the ever-unreliable IBC-13.
GMA’s decision to remove ‘Family TV Mass’ came at a not-so opportune time. Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in the Philippines this month, and dropping the ‘Family TV Mass’ is definitely not a good way to appease GMA’s Catholic viewers.
As a result, GMA now airs around four to six movie blocks on a weekend. Aside from ‘Kapuso Sine Klasika’, their other movie blocks include ‘Kapuso Movie Night’ ‘Superhero Sunday’, ‘GMA Blockbusters’ (twice or thrice), and ‘Sunday Night Box Office’.
For GMA, it is back to their old ways. The lack of a Sunday TV Mass is once again apparent to the folks inside Timog Avenue, and they are clearly feeling the heat.
Airing ‘Kapuso Sine Klasika’ at 6:00 a.m., much like the cartoons that GMA once aired against the TV mass on ABS-CBN and TV5, is an insult and a disrespect to the Christian religion. It’s one thing to air entertainment programs, but airing them this early on a Sunday is just a step too far.
And as far as GMA is concerned, they are becoming more desperate towards ratings than ever before, and it’s not because for a lack of trying.
With the removal of ‘Family TV Mass’, GMA is once again showing its unworthiness to the Catholic religion. And with Pope Francis’ visit looming, things are not looking good for GMA in a religious standpoint.
From the Tube 
Way boring GMA think of it. Any reactions, Mr. Sunday?
I’m thinking of the main reason: “Counterprogramming” and ratings.
It is possible that GMA is doing this just to entice secular or apathetic viewers to watch their shows. At this point they are desperate for success, which is why they air movies as opposed to the TV mass that rivals ABS-CBN and TV5 air. So much for religious bias that GMA is infamous for, being the one major station that doesn’t give a damn to the Catholic religion.
in my opinion, gma not airing family mass does NOT mean that it shows insult and a disrespect to christians. at least they have other religious programs, aside from the ones from bro. eddie’s jil.
who knows. they’re still looking for another family tv mass program produced by other christian groups, notably the healing eucharist, etc.
Healing Eucharist definitely belong to ABS. If they want to look for a new Sunday Mass, why not pick up Fr. Sobrejuante’s version on 9TV, which formerly aired on Studio 23? Since 9TV is about to become CNN PH, perhaps GMA can take a good look at Fr. Sobrejuante’s.
Ramones1986’s thoughts on the ratings is much agreeable. According to Kantar, the five-month Family TV Mass fared actually less than the Kapuso Sine Klasika, thus, giving The Healing Eucharist an advantage on the share.
Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite’s TV Mass takes place later at 9 a.m. (about 3 hours after ABS and TV5, 2 hours past IBC’s and 30 minutes past PTV) where their chapel in SM Megamall opens.
It may be a good idea, Ralph, the problem would be for GMA is it’s Astig Authority.
They can tape-delay the Mass if they wish to.
I do agree with you, Rey.
Most Christians from Protestants and other sects would agree with you. But Catholics? They are the ones seething with anger on GMA’s counterprogramming decision. After all it doesn’t make sense for GMA to do something that would desecrate the sanctity of the occasion, especially this early on a Sunday.
I wonder what the author of this blog would say about ABS-CBN’s decision today to air the finale of the KC Concepcion midday teleserye and cut the historical Pope Francis Mass at the Manila Cathedral (one which is of epic proportions), then have a delayed telecast of the latter portions of the Mass later on. ABS-CBN is the only mainstream channel that did it. Meanwhile, I believe GMA7 and GMA News TV should really have separate coverages since they are both free-to-air. Isn’t it absurd to have two free TV channels airing the same coverage simultaneously via a simulcast? I also beg to differ with your sweeping Twitter comment that News TV did not cover the Papal Event. News TV started the coverage at 9AM via News To Go, 11:30AM via Balitanghali, and 4PM via Balita Pilipinas Ngayon. Fair enough, since you cannot really present much reports while the Pope is onboard the plane en route Manila. But around 5PM, when the Pope is minutes away from Philippine soil, they did a marathon coverage until the Pope’s motorcade. Now, the logic is this – if you can watch GMA News TV, you can also watch GMA7. So if you want to catch a coverage of the Pope, go and switch to GMA7. That’s being WISE. ABS-CBN can do the different since ANC is exclusive on cable. For FAIRNESS sake and seeing things via UNBIASED eyes, the Pope is expected to arrive at 5:45 PM Thursday. A coverage that will start immediately after Eat Bulaga at 2:30 PM will report nothing really sensible apart from the coming of the crowds that throng the streets. GMA gave justice to their coverage by starting it around 4PM, at a time when more sensible stories can be filed. Besides, GMA’s coverage received rave reviews from netizens. As what Pope Francis has said, we should not fear diversity. Just sharing my thoughts Mr. Author. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless all of us.
It’s not absurd to have a pair of free TV channels simulcast each other’s live events. You may disagree with me, but there’s nothing wrong with it. Case in point: ABS and TV5’s free TV channels aired their respective coverages via simulcast. It’s much cheaper to do that than a separate coverage like GMA’s. And as for ABS’ decision to air the ‘Give Love’ finale, well, they have to give way kasi matatapos na talaga. Kung na-preempt pa ‘to mahihirapan silang mag-reschedule nito. And besides, Oh My G is now penciled for a Monday premiere, so they have to give way. But at least, Sports+Action aired the same feed as ABS’ in an uninterrupted manner, which means nag-pick up ng slack ang Channel 23 sa naiwan ng Channel 2.
Now, the reason why I criticized GMA’s separate coverage of the Papal visit is because News TV’s own purpose as a news channel is being defeated by their decisions. Halos regular pa rin ang programming nila kahit may Papal visit (with reruns and movies), and not even the reports presented on NTG, Balitanghali, BPN and SONA will help their standing. Also, GMA kept airing teleseryes in the afternoon even as ABS and TV5 continued their coverage, and with News TV not picking up the slack, GMA’s own coverage does not become as comprehensive as their rivals. Kung tuloy-tuloy and uninterrupted sana ang ginawa ng News TV, it would have been better.
#PopeFrancisPHTVCoverage
Did the staff of Give Love of Christmas reminded of Pope Francis’ full schedule in the Philippines late? Is ANC’s coverage so far uninterrupted? Today’s Primetime Bida started later than yesterday. (This may mean Bandila may start late, and Bubble Gang is currently airing as of this posting!)
GMA’s coverage is not without its problems either. (Mike Enquirez very recently is under fire from netizens for some alleged sloppy reporting.)
TV5’s coverage is interesting because aside from including some guests from the clergy on the panel, it utilized the hours where cartoons and movies air. Game 4 of the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup Finals was aired today (at the day of this posting) at 7PM (prerecorded; Fox Sports aired that game live) because of the aforementioned coverage. (Wattpad Presents is currently airing also as of this posting! Will Aksyon Tonite directly compete with Saksi this time?)
#NoMoreSundayMassForGMA
Poor ratings of Family TV Mass on GMA as mentioned in one of the above comments may imply the failure of Fr. Sobrejuantes’ show to reach a wider audience.
Now where is Mr. Sunday to post the schedules of the major networks for January 18, 2015 on the Internet?
We’re not sure if they were reminded, but in any event, the finale of Give Love on Christmas came at a not-so opportune time because of the Papal coverage. But ABS had to air it no matter how risky this decision would be, since Oh My G will debut Monday morning. This is not their fault, since they have other channels to back them up. ANC’s coverage is uninterrupted to say the least.
Also, all of the Big Three primetime programs aired later than usual because of the Papal coverage. After all, the coverage is of special importance, so there’s no way they can interrupt that.
Regarding the Sunday Mass on GMA, yes the ratings are the problem now. However, the airing of entertainment programs at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday don’t make sense at all. Counterprogramming on GMA is increasingly becoming a desperate manuever for the ratings-starved network, but airing movies this early is not good for those with religious sensibilities. In short, GMA seems to be attracting apathetic audiences with this move.
Here is the TV schedule of all networks tomorrow because of the Papal coverage:
ABS-CBN: Coverage starts at sign on and will take a break at 12 nn to give way to ASAP. Coverage resumes at 3 pm, pre-empting Luv U and The Buzz. Regular programming resumes at 6 pm with Goin Bulilit but Rated K will air a Pope Francis special. Gandang Gabi Vice will have Jane Oneiza and Jerome Ponce of Nasaan ka nang Kailangan Kita as guests and the Papal documentary Ako at ang Santo Papa airs at 10:30 pm on Sunday’s Best.
GMA: Coverage starts at sign-on and will take a break for Sunday All-Stars at 2 pm. Coverage resumes at 3:30 pm and regular programming will resume at 6 pm with Vampire ang Daddy Ko. Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho will have a Papal special followed by Manny Pacquiao’s Sports Science on SNBO. News TV will hook up with GMA 7 before resuming regular programming with Ang Pinaka at 6:30 pm.
TV5: Coverage starts at sign on and ends at 7:30 pm to be followed by Game 6 of the PBA finals live between SMB and Alaska.
Sports+Action: Whole day coverage except for NBA game between Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets at 11:30 am and replay at 7 pm.
Correction to my previous post:
Here is the TV schedule of all networks tomorrow because of the Papal coverage:
ABS-CBN: Coverage starts at sign on and will take a break at 12 nn to give way to ASAP. Coverage resumes at 3 pm and Rated K will air a Pope Francis special. Gandang Gabi Vice will have Jane Oneiza and Jerome Ponce of Nasaan ka nang Kailangan Kita as guests and the Papal documentary Ako at ang Santo Papa airs at 10:30 pm on Sunday’s Best.
GMA: Coverage starts at sign-on and will take a break for Sunday All-Stars at 2 pm. Coverage resumes at 3:30 pm and Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho will have a Papal special followed by Manny Pacquiao’s Sports Science on SNBO. News TV will hook up with GMA 7 before resuming regular programming with Ang Pinaka at 6:30 pm.
TV5: Coverage starts at sign on and ends at 7:30 pm to be followed by Game 6 of the PBA finals live between SMB and Alaska.
Sports+Action: Whole day coverage except for NBA game between Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets at 11:30 am and replay at 7 pm.
Friends, this may still be subject to change depending on the decision of the networks, most especially ABS-CBN and GMA which will have a lot of shows that may be pre-empted.
Too late the hero for News TV. They should have made the most of this opportunity to broadcast the Papal coverage via simulcast in the first place, but they blew it. So much for being ‘News’ TV.
No matter which shows will be preempted tomorrow, these networks will definitely have their hands full in Pope Francis’ Papal Mass and other activities.
It’s saddening nga that GMA News TV will still air Ang Pinaka and Idol sa Kusina tomorrow despite the Papal coverage. Both shows posted their episodes for tomorrow on their respective Facebook pages.
AFAIC, they are a VHF TV version of Net 25 and UNTV, at least during the Papal coverage. Can’t wait to see them sell this network back to ZOE TV.
Kris Aquino has just confirmed that The Buzz will not be aired tomorrow because of the Papal Mass at Luneta. Other ABS shows that will not be aired tomorrow are Luv U, Goin Bulilit and Wansapanataym. Rated K will go live with Korina Sanchez from Luneta followed by The Voice, GGV and the Papal documentary Ako at ang Santo Papa on Sunday’s Best.
Poetic justice, since Startalk was also preempted today. And by the way, you just repeated your announcement. Don’t do that again, Ginoong Linggo.
For GMA viewers, expected to be pre-empted tomorrow are the movie blocks, AHA, Born to be Wild, I Bilib, Vampire ang Daddy Ko and Ismol Family.
Cartoons also, if you’re aware.
GMA has just released its Sunday sked for tomorrow according to its website:
8:30 am AHA
9:15 am BORN TO BE WILD
9:45 am ANG PEOPLE’S POPE SA PILIPINAS: THE GMA NEWS COVERAGE
11:45 am KAPUSO MOVIE FESTIVAL
2 pm ANG PEOPLE’S POPE SA PILIPINAS: THE GMA NEWS COVERAGE continuation
5:30 pm 24 ORAS WEEKEND: THE GMA NEWS PAPAL COVERAGE
6 pm VAMPIRE ANG DADDY KO
6:45 pm ISMOL FAMILY
7:30 pm KAPUSO MO JESSICA SOHO: THE POPE FRANCIS SPECIAL
9:30 pm MP FEATURING SPORT SCIENCE
11 pm SNBO
12:30 am DIYOS AT BAYAN
No Sunday All-Stars tomorrow while ABS-CBN airs ASAP 20.
For ABS-CBN viewers, here’s the sked tomorrow:
9 am MAX STEEL
9:30 am THANK YOU SA MALASAKIT: THE ABS-CBN PAPAL COVERAGE
10 am MATANGLAWIN
10:30 am THANK YOU SA MALASAKIT: THE ABS-CBN PAPAL COVERAGE
11:15 am ASAP 20
2:15 pm THANK YOU SA MALASAKIT: THE ABS-CBN PAPAL COVERAGE
6:15 pm GOIN BULILIT
6:45 pm WANSAPANATAYM: WISH UPON A LUSIS
7:30 pm RATED K: THE POPE FRANCIS SPECIAL
8:45 pm VOICE OF THE PHILIPPINES SEASON 2
9:45 pm GANDANG GABI VICE Guests: Jane Onieza and Jerome Ponce
10:45 pm SUNDAY’S BEST: AKO AT ANG SANTO PAPA
For TV5, here’s the sked tomorrow:
1 pm PASTOL SA PANAHON NG PAGBABAGO REPLAY
2 pm #DEARPOPEFRANCIS: THE POPE’S MASS LIVE FROM LUNETA
7:30 pm PBA PHILIPPINE CUP FINALS, GAME 6: SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN VS ALASKA ACES LIVE FROM SMART ARANETA COLISEUM
9:30 WOW MALI
10:30 pm WATTPAD PRESENTS WEEKEND MARATHON
For ABS-CBN Sports+Action, here’s the sked tomorrow:
11:30 am NBA: GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS VS HOUSTON ROCKETS VIA SATELLITE
2 pm POPE FRANCIS MASS LIVE FROM LUNETA
7 pm NBA: GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS VS HOUSTON ROCKETS REPLAY
9 pm TOP RANK BOXING
I don’t care which regular shows will be shown tomorrow, Mr. Sunday. Basta the Papal coverage is in full control and expect the inevitability of later than usual broadcasts of shows. The entertainment shows are not our concern for now.
Going to your post on Zoe TV, I think News TV should go back to Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s channel. But then again, Bro. Eddie is not a Catholic preacher.
News TV on Channel 33? Why not.
My views about our local media’s effort to bring wider Papal Visit coverage:
ABS-CBN, tv5, 9TV & PTV/IBC performed very well in doing their tasks to broadcast latest updates & details about the Pope’s arrival & his itineraries. Pero from the very start of this historical coverage, mas pinanood ko ito sa 9TV as I really appreciate their blow-by-blow updates, with the help of their fresh on-screen graphics, na mala-CNN na. They only prove that they’re now almost well-prepared for their CNN-PH transition which will start by next month (accdg. to some insiders). While the other networks I mentioned, they really adapted a simulcasting system w/ their sister channels (S&A, AKSYONtv & IBC). There’s nothing wrong naman din and it’s a big help, lalo na in some areas kung saan malabo ang VHF reception than UHF.
For me, GMA made a good coverage din but however, inconsistent pa rin sila. Hindi pwedeng i-excuse ang pagiging VHF ng News TV dito sa MNL para hindi na i-simultaneous ang ganitong coverage. May areas din na malabo ang GMA or ang News TV. I guess, either the Light Network owner, budget-cutting or the T.A.G. crisis are the factors why they didn’t covered the event very well. Hay.
Agree. Inconstistent sila dahil puro pelikula at reruns lang ang palabas sa mga oras na may aktibidad si Pope Francis. Nawawalan talaga ng saysay ang pagiging “News” TV.
@KG: Kung malakas lang sana ang loob ko, sana magpa-online petition na lang ako to convince the Timog Ave. network to revamp that inconsistent news channel.
The best case scenario to me now is to transfer Channel 11’s ownership back to ZOE. Then palit sila with Channel 33 para ma-avert itong dilemma. Total mahirap mag-operate ng dalawang VHF station ngayon unlike before.
News is always GMA’s best asset. Kaso with this event, they simply planned it poorly, even with their best anchors around. And with News TV virtually a spectator, plus with all the shortcomings they have, it’s safe to say that they failed in this objective to deliver a more comprehensive coverage.
It’s also strange that GMA will air a Tagalized movie at 11:45 am today after Pope Francis’ visit to UST while Sunday All-Stars will be pre-empted.
News TV will go back to regular programming after the Papal Mass at Luneta so there will be Ang Pinaka and Idol sa Kusina tonight.
Totally ridiculous is the Kapuso network. Period.
1st anniversary na pala ng S&A bukas. January 18, 2015. Double history for them. 1st birthday nila for being the first full-pledged sports channel + simulcast coverage of Papal Mass at Luneta. They must do some promos or teasers for their loyal viewers after their 1 year of existence, after the Papal Visit.
Nameless, NBA today on S+A will be aired at 11:30 am delayed because of the Papal coverage. Top Rank Boxing tonight will be at 9 pm after the NBA replay.
Sorry to mention this, but I think the ‘other’ reason why ch. 7 doesn’t have a Sunday Mass is that the network (GMA) encourages the catholic kapuso viewers to attend mass in actual rather than TV. I know most of you (especially Ralph) may ‘contradict’ to this. But this is just my opinion
Then again, even ABS and TV5 encourages Catholics to go to actual masses even if they have one on TV, so it doesn’t make sense. GMA, for some reason, only airs Kapuso Sine Klasika for the more disgruntled type, as in those bored to go to masses and wanted something to perk up their Sundays.
If I’m not mistaken, parang nakikilevel na ang GMA with Solar Entertainment and other cable-exclusive channels in terms of not having programs dedicated for Catholics. As if parang GMA wants to setup ch. 7 like a ‘cable channel’ filled with more entertainment programs than religious programs. But in a masa-centric approach. GMA still has religious programs, but more targeted to a christian audience.
Nowadays, though, it airs a little bit early in the morning. Then at 6 am they put old Filipino movies against the TV mass of ABS and TV5, which does offend the sensibilities of Catholics. It’s as if GMA is an ‘anti-Catholic’ station even though they tried to change that with Pari ‘Koy.
From GMA’s Sunday and daily shows, News TV’s ‘inappropriate’ programming, bad employee treatment, layoffs, closure of regional stations, and everything in between, GMA definitely (like I said so many times and in the previous topic), has a lot of cleaning up to do
Indeed.
Sorry to ask you this question but, is it definitely a ‘big sin’ for a tv station/channel to not air a Sunday mass/other religious programs no matter it they are a free tv network or a cable network? Because that is what the ‘cable’ ones are doing.
Cable channels are usually specialized in nature. There are religious-oriented channels available, such as INC-TV for the Iglesia ni Cristo, EWTN for Catholics, and ABN-45 for the Protestants. Better exclude them because they have their own programming and focus.
We can also exclude Net 25 from the list since they are directly owned by the INC, as well as UNTV in the case of the MCGI or Ang Dating Daan.
Our concerns are with the VHF free TV channels, particularly of the Big 3 since they are the most-watched channels. Only GMA and its ‘sister’ station doesn’t have a Sunday mass, which is why we so utterly despise them for not addressing the concerns of the Catholic-majority nation. Airing movies opposite the Sunday mass on ABS and TV5 is a slap to the face; they are doing that just to attract an amount of viewers who were bored to go to church.
I think I’m having this idea that GMA should better hookup ‘LIVE’ with EWTN for their Sunday mass (which I guess airs at around 6am PH Time) even though some parts of it are in Latin. But still, they should have just kept ‘Family TV Mass’ on air (FYI Family TV Mass also airs globally on GMA Pinoy TV)
Indeed.
So that means every Free TV/Cable Network (not just in the PH but anywhere in the world [I’m not comparing here]) is required to have a minimal amount of hours for religious programming. Because with what I see with Solar’s free tv networks (ETC and 2nd Avenue), they do not have any kind of religious programming.
I think you’re missing the point here. Didn’t you read my comment about VHF FREE TV CHANNELS? We are only concerned with them. No mention of cable or UHF channels here because they are specialized programming; ETC and 2nd Avenue are likewise that. Your questioning has gone too far.
I get it. And I’m sorry again.
Ok then.
Meanwhile, can this issue of GMA in not having a Sunday Mass program have to do with ANC’s report on The number of Filipino Catholics that is dwindling?
No. Even if it’s dwindling it is still a majority.
Not sure where else to ask this so might as well ask it here: is it me, or are a disproportional number of Filipino celebrities Evangelical Protestant (Born-agains)? According to demographic studies, Protestants make up only about 5% to 10% of the population, but it seems like 1/3 or even as many has half of Filipino celebrities are born again. Why is this so? Just curious.
Why don’t you research and ask these experts yourself.
Also, GMA was founded by an American and an Evangelical Protestant Christian (Uncle Bob) so there is some favoritism towards televangelist shows being showed there in the past. They only added Catholic masses at that point due to having to be “for the masses”.
Too bad it was shortlived because they wanted to stay secular. Yet they air the Siete Palabras every Holy Week and the Pope’s Christmas and Easter mass, which doesn’t make sense.