The iconic ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ (PBB) house has once again opened its doors to welcome a fresh set of housemates for the new season.
This time, however, both ABS-CBN and GMA have made a big announcement: the two networks will collaborate to bring the upcoming season to the screen in celebration of the franchise’s 20th year on local television.
The “PBB Celebrity Edition Collab” is set to feature GMA Sparkle artists and ABS-CBN Star Magic talents bound for the daunting tasks of Big Brother that will ultimately challenge their resolve and camaraderie as to who will emerge victorious as “The Big Winner” among the pool of celebrities.
Upon the announcement of both network giants, social media users have mixed feelings about how the upcoming season will turn out to be. It what seems to be a clash of fan bases from the two networks, some shared doubts how well GMA artists will fare in the show considering how the last season of the show, ‘PBB Gen 11,’ have garnered a mass following with 2.26 million concurrent viewers across ABS-CBN’s online streaming platforms.
pangit na, okay naman rating ng pbb bat dinaan pa sa colab huhu idadaan sa pbb para makilala artista ng gma nubayaaaan
— pbbgen11 (@DiegoObeda99923) January 27, 2025
The GMA and ABS-CBN collab for PBB feels too risky for me, especially since it’s unprecedented. There’s a possibility that they got too caught up in the Gen-11 hype and wanted to build on it. For me, it seems like the next set of housemates will enter the game with a more…
— — ✰ (@publiclymich) January 27, 2025
Sa tingin ko kaya pumayag na rin ang GMA na maka-collab ang ABS-CBN para sa PBB ay dahil lowkey ma-workshop properly ang mga Sparkle artists at exposure na rin sa mga Kapamilya fans. Sana nga lang maipalabas rin sa ibang channels like A2Z, KapCha, etc.
— Kuya GelOAce | BGYO Fanboy PPop Supporter (@PPopsupporter) January 28, 2025
Some users also clamor that instead of GMA hopping into the PBB franchise, the network should have renewed previously discontinued shows under their wing such as ‘Survivor Philippines,’ ‘Extra Challenge,’ ‘Starstruck,’ among others.
Meanwhile, many are also looking forward to this new PBB season and what new concepts it will bring to the table as GMA and ABS-CBN once again shook hands to collaborate on a show—something that felt far-fetched prior to the loss of the latter’s network franchise.
Some also shared their bets for who should join this season.
My TOP 12 choices for PBB Celebrity Edition Collab 🌈❤️💚💙
STAR MAGIC: Ketchup, Daniela Stranner, Emilio Daez, Sweet, BGYO Gelo, Alora
SPARKLE: Paolo, Chariz Solomon, Antonio Vinzon, Mariel Pamintuan, Jak Roberto, Faith Da Silva
SINO ANG GUSTO MO MAGING HOUSEMATE NI KUYA? https://t.co/YmtcBbL5vL pic.twitter.com/sPyVaufwLK
— AltA2Z (@AltA2ZChannel11) January 28, 2025
ang wish list ko sa pbb ay si daniela stranner from star magic saka si herlene budol from sparkle
— AC Soriano (@ItsACsLife) January 27, 2025
Despite the polarizing opinions online, what is now considered the collaboration of the year has been officially sealed with ‘The Big Contract Signing’ program at the Pinoy Big Brother House today, January 28.
This will not be the first time the GMA and ABS-CBN will collaborate on a show as they previously signed a contract last 2024 to air the latter’s noontime show ‘It’s Showtime’ on the main Kapuso channel. It was also back in 2023 when both networks partnered with Viu Philippines for the series ‘Unbreak My Heart,’ which starred Kapamilya and Kapuso actors.
Other POP! stories you might like:
‘Tikoy with a twist’: Creative Tikoy recipes to level up your Chinese New Year feast
Chef Tatung steps down as host of the Filipino cooking show ‘Simpol’
Young couple’s Maranaw wedding video goes viral, raises concerns over age and tradition
Remembering the life and legacy of Gloria Romero, the ‘Queen of Philippine Cinema’