ABS-CBN Announces Retrenchment Program Affecting 7% of Workforce Amid Global and Economic Pressures

​ABS-CBN Corporation has released an official statement announcing a difficult retrenchment program affecting approximately 200 employees, or 7% of its workforce. 

Despite ongoing efforts to rebuild and expand its global storytelling footprint, the media giant cited compounding external challenges, including macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical conflicts, as drivers for the downsizing.

​In the official statement dated September 15, 2026, the company acknowledged that while its shows, films, music, and events continue to reach wider audiences across platforms globally, external economic headwinds have heavily impacted industry recovery.

Credits: ABS-CBN Corp. Communications

​Tough Economic Realities and Industry Pressures

​ABS-CBN highlighted that the broader content industry has faced a notably difficult year. Key factors contributing to weaker advertising revenues and reduced consumer spending include:

* ​The ongoing Middle East conflict

* ​Sustained high inflation rates

* ​Sluggish economic growth both locally and globally

​These macro-level disruptions have severely impacted the company's financial recovery trajectory, prompting management to take proactive steps to secure long-term financial stability.

​Commitment to Affected "Kapamilyas"

​The retrenchment program will impact roughly 200 personnel. Management expressed deep regret over the unavoidable outcome, emphasizing that the decision was reached only after a careful review to ensure ABS-CBN remains on a strong financial footing.

​"We know this will deeply affect our employees and their families, and we intend to manage this the way we have always done—with compassion for our Kapamilya," the statement read.

​Looking Forward as a Global Storytelling Company

​Despite the restructuring, ABS-CBN reaffirmed its dedication to transforming into a global storytelling powerhouse. The company noted that recent investments serve as a strong vote of confidence in its long-term vision. Management concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to its workforce and the Filipino public for their continued dedication, passion, and service.

ABS-CBN has recently revived their partnership with media giant TV5 Network, Inc. and is currently airing some of the Kapatid Shows on their platforms such as Face to Face with Koring, A Secret in Prague, My Bespren Emman: Ang Totoong Laban, and soon Vibe+, Mommy Guard, The Good Doctor and many more to come. On the other hand, ABS-CBN programs such as Sigabo, Someone Someday, Kapamilya Deal or No Deal, Everybody Sing, Minute to Win It, and Blockbusters sa Umaga (aka Kapamilya Blockbusters) currently airs on both Kapatid and Kapamilya Platforms. 

TV5 and Vibe PH Announce Temporary Suspension of "Main Vibe" Voting

FANS RAISE CONCERNS AS LIVE MUSIC SHOW VIBE SUSPENDS FAN VOTING FOR VARIETY FORMAT

Concerns are growing among music enthusiasts as VIBE, the country’s premier fan-powered live music countdown, has temporarily halted its signature voting system in favor of a broader variety show format.

Built on a unique interactive concept, VIBE established itself as a dedicated platform for Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and P-POP acts. Unlike traditional broadcasts, the show’s lineup was dictated entirely by audiences across three official channels: FB Messenger, SMS, and website power voting.

The show’s structure relies on two distinct fan-driven segments:

* Uprising Universe: Discontinued last July and then reinstated this September, this segment is dedicated to emerging OPM and P-POP talents, giving rising stars a national platform based on audience demand.

 * Main Vibe Leaderboard: Highlights established and top-streamed artists, where acts securing the top spot for four consecutive weeks earn the coveted “VIBE-tier Award”.

In a recent joint announcement posted across official social media channels, TV5 and Vibe PH officially declared that voting for Main Vibe has been temporarily suspended, telling supporters to "Pause lang muna and wait for further announcements."

Despite its success over the past year, the sudden halt of the leaderboard has sparked debate over the show's future direction. 

Viewers and fandoms worry the program is shifting away from its original promise of being a dedicated home for local artists, leaning instead toward a standard noontime variety format with random guest appearances.

Fandoms remain hopeful that producers will reinstate the Main Vibe leaderboard soon to bring back the thrill, competition, and fan empowerment that originally defined the show. Stay tuned to official channels for further updates! 

Drowning in Debt, Denied Work: Ken Chan Left Hanging, Harboring Resentment Toward GMA-7?

Ken Chan in 2021

Date: September 14, 2026 (based on SNN upload date)

Source Reference: Bulgar Online / Showbiz Now Na (SNN) via Cristy Fermin and Romel Chika

​The entertainment world is currently abuzz with reports regarding the alleged deep resentment of Kapuso actor Ken Chan toward his home network, GMA-7. This comes after news surfaced that he supposedly asked the network for assistance and work, only to be turned down due to his ongoing controversies and financial debts.

​During a recent episode of the Showbiz Now Na (SNN) vlog hosted by veteran columnist Cristy Fermin and Romel Chika, it was revealed that they gathered information from sources in Thailand regarding the actor's current situation.

​According to Nay Cristy, Ken Chan is not actually working full-time at a restaurant abroad; instead, he only takes on occasional or "on-call" sideline jobs in catering because he does not possess the proper work permit.

​Aside from this, reports emerged that Ken allegedly tried to reach out to a high-ranking network executive at GMA-7 to plead for a project and a chance to work again. However, according to the source, the executive's response was: 

"Ayusin mo muna ang mga problema mo, bayaran mo muna ang pagkakautang mo."

​While the network executive's advice to first face his problems and settle his financial obligations properly—such as arranging a deed of assignment or installment payments—may hold truth, the actor was reportedly left disheartened. According to those who heard him, Ken felt aggrieved because he felt abandoned by the network when he needed help the most, especially given that the shows entrusted to him as a Kapuso performed well in the ratings.

​The program then compared this situation to the experience of other artists, such as Archie Alemania, who was reportedly dropped from Kapuso shows when he encountered legal issues. They contrasted this with ABS-CBN's system, where talents are typically still given work and support until they resolve their personal issues.

​As of this writing, the management of GMA-7 remains silent regarding the issue.

NCAA Season 102 and UAAP Season 89 Kicks Off with Star-Studded Opening Ceremonies at the Mall of Asia Arena and The Big Dome Respectively

The historic National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) officially raised the curtains on its landmark 102nd and 89th season, respectively with a magnificent, star-studded opening ceremonies held at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum -- all at the same time. Guided by the powerful theme "Strive, Believe, Unite" (SBU), this season marks a brand-new era of collegiate sports broadcasting and entertainment.

Star-Studded Performances and Musical Powerhouses

Adding immense star power to the festivities, the opening ceremony featured jaw-dropping performances from some of the country's biggest music icons and rising acts. 

The Big Dome came alive with electrifying numbers led by hip-hop legend Gloc-9, entertainment icon Vice Ganda, and top P-Pop sensations including BINI members Maloi and Mikha, chart-topping singer-songwriter Maki, and hitmakers Darren Espanto.

Additional powerhouse performances from emerging girl group Baby Dolls and other special guests brought an unmatched wave of festival energy to kick off the collegiate wars.

Meanwhile at the Mall of Asia is being graced by Kapatid stars, Eat Bulaga's Carren Eistrup, Vibe+ Jocks Ana Ramsey and Carmela Lorzano, and P-POP Sensations, Daynnie, ALON and OONA. 

A New Home for Collegiate Sports

The grand launch also highlighted a landmark multi-platform partnership with MediaQuest, TV5, and Cignal, bringing the NCAA and UAAP closer to millions of fans. For the first time, fans can catch the heart-pounding action across multiple platforms—including free-to-air on RPTV, the brand-new NCAA NXT channel on Cignal, UAAP Varsity Channel, the Cignal Play app, and live streaming via the One Sports YouTube channel.

During his opening remarks, MediaQuest Holdings Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan emphasized the enduring legacy of the league and the core pillars of this year's competition:

"For more than a century, the NCAA has been part of the story of Philippine sports... We compete against each other, but we grow together."

Inspiring Messages from Sports and Government Leaders

The ceremony was graced by top sports officials and local dignitaries who expressed their unwavering commitment to youth development and athletic excellence.

 * PSC Chairman John Patrick "Pot" Gregorio announced exciting developments, including plans to collaborate with the NCAA in integrating medal-rich Olympic sports—such as gymnastics, boxing, and golf—into the collegiate program, alongside upcoming renovations to the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

 * Manila Vice Mayor Angela Lei Atienza took the stage to share words of encouragement for the student-athletes, reminding them to absorb valuable life lessons through sports.

 * Season 102 Policy Board Chairman and San Beda University Director-President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Maria A. Maranan, OSB, officially declared the season open, inspiring athletes to play with passion, compete with honor, and win with humility.

The 10 Pillars Take Center Stage

The event featured an electrifying roll call of all 10 member schools—Arellano University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua University, San Beda University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, and the University of Perpetual Help System Delta.

The ceremonies also showcased stellar performances from the schools' cheerleading squads and student dance troupes, setting an energetic tone for the months-long sporting battle ahead.

The inspiring afternoon culminated with San Beda team captain RC Khalimag leading the traditional oath of sportsmanship, followed by the much-anticipated opening basketball double-header featuring a heavyweight clash between host San Beda Red Lions and the College of Saint Benilde Blazers.

Catch all the live action, games, and collegiate stories on the One Sports YouTube channel and Cignal's NCAA NXT!

The Rise and Fall of TAPE Inc.: Looking Back at the Legacy, the Shift, and Why There’s No Turning Back

Television and Production Exponents, Inc. (TAPE Inc.), the production house established and owned by the family of the late Mr. Romeo G. Jalosjos in 1981, once held an unshakeable grip on Philippine daytime television. 

For nearly three decades, its partnership with GMA Network served as the unbeatable anchor of local noontime viewing. However, following the massive industry shifts of recent years—most notably the departure of iconic trio Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ), the LEGIT Dabarkads, and the Eat Bulaga! brand in 2023—industry analysts and viewers alike agree on a hard truth: TAPE Inc. as it was known is never coming back.

​The House That TAPE Built: A Legacy of Noontime Dominance

​For 28 years, TAPE Inc.’s management of Eat Bulaga! on GMA Network transformed daytime programming. After moving from RPN and ABS-CBN, the partnership was officially sealed on January 19, 1995, at the Makati Shangri-La, premiering on GMA on January 28, 1995, with a special episode titled Eat... Bulaga!: The Moving!

​Operating out of the New TAPE Studios at the GMA Broadway Centrum, the production house (which was actually led by Mr. Antonio P. Tuviera together with Directors Bert De Leon, Poochie Rivera and creative team head Jeny Ferre) functioned like a cultural hit factory, introducing over 300 segments over the decades. Iconic features like Little Miss Philippines, That's My Boy, Pinoy Henyo, Juan for All, All for Juan: Sugod Bahay, and the phenomenal 2015 Kalyeserye (featuring the AlDub craze) defined generations of Filipino entertainment, at its peak pulling in staggering ratings heights of up to 50 percent.

​The Turning Point and Ultimate Demise

​The bedrock of TAPE’s success fractured when the core creators and trademark holders parted ways with the production company. When TVJ (now has their own production house, TVJ Productions, Inc.) and the rest of the Legit Dabarkads took the Eat Bulaga! identity to TV5, and ABS-CBN’s It’s Showtime subsequently entered GMA's block via GTV, the landscape of Philippine noontime television shifted permanently.

​TAPE attempted to sustain its noontime slot with a new set of hosts and rebranded shows, eventually evolving into Tahanang Pinakamasya. However, that program ended by March 2024 to clear the way for ABS-CBN's entry, signaling the definitive close of doors for the production house's major television footprint.

​While some fans may wonder if the company behind the legacy could stage a comeback with a brand-new format, the reality of today's broadcast industry indicates otherwise. The unique alignment of historic chemistry, original branding, and prime network synergy has dissolved, leaving behind a profound chapter in television history that belongs strictly to the past.

Trending: GMA-7 Shares Sinks to a 17-Year Low Since Arroyo’s Presidency

Times have significantly changed for broadcasting giant and GMA Network Inc. Controlled by Atty. Felipe Gozon and Atty. Jimmy Duavit, the network's stock has plunged to levels not witnessed since the height of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s presidency, marking a painful regression for the network's market value.

​Data shows that GMA shares slumped down to ₱3.91 on August 28, hitting a dismal 17-year low reminiscent of January 2009. The downward trend stubbornly persisted, hovering near this multi-year low point at around ₱3.97 intraday.

​This dramatic slump has successfully wiped out the massive gains GMA accumulated during its era of dominance as the country's leading free-to-air television network. Having traded as high as ₱14.75 five years ago, the stock has now hemorrhaged roughly 73 percent of its overall value.

​What Went Wrong?

The severe stock decline directly mirrors the broadcaster's bleeding financials. GMA is currently grappling with heavily weakened earnings alongside a fast-shrinking traditional advertising model:

​Plunging Net Income: Net income drastically tanked by 94 percent down to ₱110.2 million during the first half of the year, with the network earning a meager ₱8 million during the entire second quarter.

​Shrinking Revenues: Total consolidated revenues plummeted by 35 percent to ₱6.61 billion. Advertising revenues—which traditionally make up nearly 89 percent of the company’s total sales—dropped 37 percent to ₱5.89 billion.

​While a significant portion of the revenue loss stems from the absence of over ₱2 billion in political advertising tied to the 2025 elections, GMA's core business is bleeding on its own. Stripping away election-related windfalls, regular core revenues still suffered a steep 17 percent drop.

​The Digital Shift and Industry Headwinds

GMA executives have acknowledged a massive structural shift in how modern audiences consume media. Consumer preferences are rapidly transitioning away from legacy free-to-air channels and toward internet protocol-based platforms.

​Despite aggressive cost-cutting measures—such as slashing operational expenses by 11 percent—and a growing footprint in digital streaming and international channel revenues, these modern streams are still too small to patch the massive hole left by the decline of traditional television advertising.

​As the media landscape continues to transform digitally, the pressure is on for the broadcast giant to adapt to a reality where the old playbook such as high ratings no longer guarantees high returns.

LM Entertainment Digital OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Update Regarding Meta Account Restrictions and Network Operations

LM Entertainment Digital would like to issue this official statement regarding recent unforeseen actions taken by Meta.

Recently, Meta disabled several accounts associated with our network, including our primary administrative account that manages the LM Entertainment, LMTV Music, LMTV Lifestyle, and LMTxGaming pages. We understand this sudden disruption may have caused confusion among our community, and we are actively addressing the situation.

Despite these platform restrictions, please be assured that our operations and content delivery continue through alternative channels:

 * LM Entertainment Page: While our primary access is affected, we will continue posting limited content on the LM Entertainment page via Instagram.

 * LMTV Page Updates: The Kapatid Super Mega Alliance page has been officially renamed to the LMTV page to serve as a primary hub moving forward.

 * LM Esports Launch: We have successfully created a brand-new page, LM Esports, to expand our gaming and competitive coverage.

 * MPL Philippines Season 18: Our backup team remains fully operational and will continue to restream MPL Philippines Season 18 on the LMTxGaming page.

 * Intact Platforms & Websites: All of our official websites and other social media platforms—including YouTube, Instagram, and X (Twitter)—remain entirely safe, secure, and fully functional.

We deeply appreciate the continuous support, patience, and loyalty of our supporters, partners, and the entire community during this transition. Rest assured, we are working hard to keep bringing you the content and entertainment you love.

— LM Entertainment Digital Management

GMA Network Reportedly Considers Cost-Cutting Measures Amid Financial Strain

Leading broadcast giant GMA Network is reportedly exploring various austerity measures, including potential workforce adjustments and strategic co-production deals, following a noticeable downward trend in its recent financial outputs.

​The development comes on the heels of economic challenges impacting the media and entertainment sector, where traditional broadcast networks face mounting pressures from shifting advertising landscapes, rising production costs, and overall macroeconomic headwinds. 

As media companies navigate these tight financial constraints, streamlining operations has become a focal point for corporate sustainability.

​Industry observers note that while GMA Network continues to command a massive nationwide reach through its analog and digital terrestrial television infrastructure, adapting to the modern media climate requires careful fiscal management. 

The consideration of co-production partnerships and stricter operational budgets signals a broader industry shift toward risk-sharing and optimized resource allocation to safeguard long-term profitability.

​Management has yet to release an official, comprehensive statement detailing the full extent of the reported retrenchments and restructuring schedules. However, stakeholders and die hard Kapuso fans alike are keeping a close watch on how these strategic pivots will shape future programming, talent management, and digital expansion efforts in the months ahead.