GMA Network officially signs to co-air 65th Miss Universe with Solar Entertainment

GMA Network and Solar Entertainment on Thursday shook hands as co-broadcasters of the 65th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled for January 30, 2017.

And a handshake seals the deal between GMA Network and Solar Entertainment pic.twitter.com/0dH3j9hCLs

— Aya Tantiangco Miura (@ayaruim) December 15, 2016

Solar Entertainment president and CEO Wilson Tieng and GMA Network vice president for VP Program Management Jose Mari "Joey" Abacan signed the contract that approves the airing of the pageant live on GMA Network, followed by a replay at a later time.

The 65th Miss Universe is scheduled to happen on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena, 8 a.m.

According to Tieng, there will be a "wall-to-wall" lineup of activities in the weeks leading up to the pageant and he is hoping that the best of the country will be in full view of the world.

"The program will be beamed to 190 countries," Tieng said. "It'll be a showcase of what we can do and how beautiful the country is."

It's official: The contracts for the live coverage and replay of the Miss Universe 2016 coronation night have been signed. Catch it on GMA! pic.twitter.com/mYJiuDCGTt

— Aya Tantiangco Miura (@ayaruim) December 15, 2016

Abacan said that he feels that the partnership between GMA Network and Solar Entertainment has been lucky so far, citing the successful broadcasts of Senator Manny Pacquiao's fights as an example.

"We embrace [the partnership] with open arms," Abacan said.

Tieng said that currently, only GMA Network and TV5 have signed to broadcast the pageant with Solar Entertainment. — BM, GMA News