GMA coverage of the NCAA

After the House of Representatives of the Philippines rejected renewing ABS-CBN Corporation's legislative franchise on July 10, 2020, the NCAA expressed dismay with what happened.^[1] By July, it was announced that ABS-CBN will close its ABS-CBN Sports unit by August 31.^[2] The NCAA then terminated its contract with ABS-CBN that should have ended on 2025, and by September, reports were published that the league was choosing among One Sports, CNN Philippines and GMA Network.^[3]

The NCAA eventually chose GMA, with its CEO Felipe Gozon personally heading its presentation committee; the NCAA reportedly chose GMA when the latter offered weekend games, and the finals being aired on the main GMA Network.^[4] GMA News TV was to air the basketball tournaments, along with other events.

GMA's first program was "Rise Up Stronger", an introduction to players, coaches, teams and schools, airing on GTV (rebranded from GMA News TV) beginning on 2021. This preceded NCAA Season 96 (2020–21), a special season modified by COVID-19. The opening ceremonies features GMA talents.^[5] NCAA Season 97 is the first season with face-to-face competition, albeit under the bubble setup. "Game On!", a program presenting NCAA athletes and coaches, first aired on this season. Live basketball games were aired on GTV. The opening ceremonies featured GMA talents The finals of NCAA Season 97 men's basketball tournament was aired live both on GTV and GMA,^[6] while the volleyball tournament finals was aired live on GTV.^[7]

By NCAA Season 98, "Game On" became a magazine program aired in between basketball games.^[8] The men's finals of the NCAA Season 98 basketball tournaments still aired on GTV and GMA. GMA talents also performed on halftime breaks of basketball games.^[9] "Game On!" also aired as a weekend show during the NCAA Season 98 volleyball tournaments, and GMA aired the juniors' basketball tournament on GTV.^[10] Season 98 also heralded the return of the NCAA Cheerleading Competition, airing on GTV.^[11]

The opening ceremonies of NCAA Season 99 aired simultaneously on GMA and GTV, with the men's basketball tournament being aired on GTV. Maia and Marco, GMA's artificial intelligence presenters, debuted on this season ^[12] Aside from men's basketball, GMA aired volleyball finals^[13] and the cheerleading competition^[14] in GTV.

For NCAA Season 100, GMA aired the men's basketball finals in GMA, GTV and Heart of Asia,^[15] while the cheerleading competition was aired on GTV.^[16] For NCAA Season 101, GTV aired the opening ceremony on tape delay.^[17] The men's basketball finals^[18] and cheerleading competition aired again on GTV.^[19]

NCAA Season 101 volleyball tournaments women's finals was the final NCAA event aired by GMA, as the network no longer renewed their contract. Melchor Divina, NCAA chairman, said that changing viewing habits, where its fanbase switched from terrestrial broadcasting to online platforms in YouTube and Facebook Live, caused GMA to lose sponsorships.^[20]