Originally hosted by Jaime dela Rosa, Patsy and Lopito, it aired as a reality competition from 1954 to September 1972 and from March 8, 1987 to November 26, 1989, and was replaced by Sa Linggo nAPO Sila.

Vhong Navarro, Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Amy Perez, Karylle, Kim Chiu, Ogie Alcasid and Darren Espanto currently serve as the hosts.

Dubbed as "Your All-Time Favorite Search for Outstanding Amateur Talents", the competition is open to Filipino contestants from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and overseas.

There have been thirteen winners to date: Noven Belleza,[3] Jhon Clyd Talili,[4] Janine Berdin,[5] Elaine Duran,[6] Ethel Booba,[7] Mark Michael Garcia,[8] JM Yosures,[9] Reiven Umali,[10] Lyka Estrella,[11] Marielle Montellano & JM Dela Cerna of Sidlak Bisdak,[12] Rea Gen Villareal,[13] Kim Hewitt,[14] and Carmelle Collado.

[16][17] Noted OPM artists like Armand Panlilio, Nora Aunor, Novo Bono Jr., Pepe Pimentel, Edgar Mortiz and Diomedes Maturan[18] were among the winners[19] of the original program.

[20] Caloy Alde, who would later on made a name in Philippine showbiz as a comedian, joined the second incarnation of Tawag ng Tanghalan in the show's acting contest.

The daily contender with the highest score moves on to the face-off round to challenge the defending champion and attempt to steal the golden microphone.

The weekly finalists will choose the songs and test their singing by the mentor judge at home, and perform in front of the stage.

In the fourth season of the New Normal, the Quarter Finalists will compete and perform a song based on a theme for each week but it is the same criteria for judging.

In the fifth season introduced the new mechanics, "Instant Spotlight", the quarter finalists who obtained the highest combined scores on Mondays and Wednesdays and will be safe from eliminations on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The two semifinalists (three in the fourth season) with the highest combined score from the judges, and the public at the end of the six days move on to the grand finals (known as Ang Huling Tapatan) and receive ₱150,000 and a gold medal.

Then, the three finalists with the highest combined scores from the judges, and the public will move on to the second part, wherein they will sing a medley song by their chosen artist (except for the Kids, Celebrity Champions and Duets editions).

Louie Ocampo, Kyla, and Erik Santos were introduced as judges on June 11, 2016, with Jaya joining in July 2016 and Ogie Alcasid at the start of Quarter 4.

Dingdong Avanzado, Jamie Rivera, and Claire dela Fuente served as guest mentors during the Instant Resbak week, in replacement of Alcasid, Padilla, and Valera, respectively.

[32] K Brosas, Rey Valera and Randy Santiago did not return as Hurados due to their commitments to the revival of Sing Galing!.

Nonoy Zuñiga, Dingdong Avanzado, Kean Cipriano, and Bituin Escalante joined the judging panel on July 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively.

[8] Jex De Castro of Metro Manila, Sofronio Vasquez III of Mindanao and Julius Cawaling of Luzon finished at second, third and fourth place, respectively.

[61] On March 16, 2021, Vice Ganda announced that the show will move to a new studio at ABS-CBN Soundstage at San Jose del Monte, Bulacan soon.

[62] From March 18 to April 10, 2021, the season was halted because ABS-CBN decided to temporarily stop holding daily live programs due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the Greater Manila Area.

Nonoy Zuñiga,[41] Dingdong Avanzado,[42] Kean Cipriano,[43] and Bituin Escalante[44] were added to the panel of judges this season.

[73] Carmelle Collado of King Thomas Learning Academy, Inc. was named the season's grand champion; Isay Olarte from City College of Calapan was proclaimed the runner-up, and Arvery Love Lagoring from Claret School of Lamitan came in third.

[81] According to reports, Aunor believed Ganda's brand of insult comedy was against her moral beliefs and made her deeply uncomfortable with the idea of being on the show.

[82] Since 2018, Tawag ng Tanghalan is often mentioned as one of the factors for longer airtime of It's Showtime, which in turn led to subsequent delays for the afternoon and primetime programs of ABS-CBN.

Due to the allegedly "rigged" results, netizens used #HustisyaParaKayMariane and it trended on Twitter, citing the expression, rants and sentiments over the score given by the judges.

[89][90] With the recent controversy of the alleged results, Mariane withdrew the opportunity to compete for the Final Resbak due to her health problem.

Its first signed artists were the TNT Boys, Janine Berdin, Ato Arman, Eumee Capile, Froilan Canlas, Anton Antenorcruz, Arabelle Dela Cruz, Reggie Tortugo, Sheena Belarmino and Steven Paysu.

Second season finalists JM Bales, Christian Bahaya and Sofronio Vasquez were also launched as COVE, while Lalaine Araña and Pauline Agupitan were introduced as Bukang Liwayway.

The mini-show, focuses on the comedic sketch of Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis and Jhong Hilario.

The first season of Drama sa Tanghalan premiered in 2016 with Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda as its main cast.

The comedy drama skit added excitement to the show as viewers are starting to love it resulting to good reviews and ratings.