ABS-CBN vs GMA in Boxing
By divinister
@divinister (309)
Philippines
March 22, 2007 2:50am CST
Who's your bet?
The rating war between two of the Philippines' giant TV networks has spilled into boxing.
GMA-7 recently entered into a partnership with Solar Entertainment to air the upcoming fight of Manny Pacquiao vs Solis. Although Solar is the main player in this event, GMA-7's involvement is raising a few eyebrows and questions. Would they be following their rival's latest sports venture and get into boxing as well?
ABS-CBN has already shown that they are serious about international boxing with the staging of the Pacman-Larios and fight last month billed Battle of Cebu. Also, they have reportedly bagged the rights to the May 5 fight of Dela Hoya vs Mayweather.
Well, one thing is for sure. The winner of this match will be no other than Philippine boxing fans!!! They are now assured of top quality and high budget productions that will match those of US networks.
2 people like this
7 responses
@vesuvius (1677)
• Philippines
22 Mar 07
I was a bit surprised about this network issue too...
But I think I have reason to believe one of my friend's comments on this topic: ABSCBN might have slacked the deals with Manny Pacquiao bouts because of the decreasing support for this national figure.
We all know that the recent decisions of Manny sparked the ire of many individuals in the Philippines - you know his congress candidacy... My friend thinks [and I might be thinking of it too..] that ABS is playing safe on ratings... They may have this theory that lesser people would watch the upcoming battle...
Anyway, you're right that boxing shows are now of top-caliber in the Philippines... Either way, its positive..
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
1 Apr 07
As far as I'm concerned, I hate to see Pacquiao on GMA-7.
I think this a very wrong move by GMA management, they do not need Pacquiao's popularity just to boost their ratings. They already have great shows on the top with good ratings, they don't need this person just to be labelled as the real number one station.
Give the other station whom they can say that they are proud of, because they don't have anything left to be proud of!;)LoL
@signupnow (134)
• Philippines
22 Mar 07
On my opinion, i loved watching solar sports on channel 9. Less commercial Much entertaining to watch.
@repzkoopz (1895)
• Philippines
28 Mar 07
i read in the Inquirer that ABS-CBN dropped the deal because they feel that Solis is not a worthy opponent, and that risking millions to air that bout is not worth it. and who else would gain from that cut deal? who else?!
@NBABlogger (249)
• Philippines
1 Apr 07
You're correct, divinister. Whichever station gets the air right for Manny Pacquiao-Jorge Solis fight on April 15 (Manila Time), you can be assured that 95-100% of the viewers will stick to that channel to watch Pacman. The much better issue is what I will post.
@lextoper (573)
• Philippines
22 Mar 07
I guess GMA-7 must given a chance to air the fight of one of the philippine pride, Manny Pacquiao. All fight of pacquiao is aired by ABS-CBN which i think unfair to their rival network (GMA-7) because we all know that all filipinos want to witness the victory of pacmans in battling for the Philippines.
