GMA Network

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GMA Network, Inc.
Type	General partnership
Founded	June 14, 1950
Headquarters	Quezon City, Philippines
Key people	Felipe Gozon, CEO
Industry	Broadcast television and radio network
Revenue	P 8.09 billion PHP (First 9 Months of 2006)
Net income	P1.55 Billion PHP (First 9 Months of 2006)
Employees	600+
Website	iGMA.tv

GMA Network, Incorporated (Global Media Arts Network, Incorporated) is a television network in the Philippines. GMA provides news and entertainment programs through its forty-seven fully-owned television relay stations, four affiliate television stations and thirty-four radio stations throughout the Philippines. The network also offers its shows Worldwide through GMA Pinoy TV.

Its headquarters, the GMA Network Center, is located at EDSA corner Timog Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Atty. Felipe Gozon is its current Chairman and CEO. In Metro Manila, its using terrestrial VHF Channel 7 (DZBB-TV), Channel 11 (DZOE-TV, leased from ZOE Broadcasting Network, (operated by Q) and terrestrial UHF Channel 27 (DWDB-TV, leased to ZOE Broadcasting Network).

Contents 1 History 1.1 Republic Broadcasting System 1.2 GMA Radio-Television Arts 1.3 The Rainbow network 1.4 The Kapuso network 2 Programming 3 Branding of the GMA Network 3.1 Evolution of GMA Network logos 3.2 GMA Network slogans 4 Program production 4.1 GMA Network Center 4.2 GMA Broadway Centrum 4.3 GMA Regional Network Centers 4.4 Transmitter facilities 4.5 Digitalization 5 Entities and ventures 5.1 Subsidiaries 5.2 Affiliates 5.3 Media ventures 5.4 Availability 5.5 Divisions 6 See also 7 References 8 External links 8.1 Official 8.2 Related

[edit] History

[edit] Republic Broadcasting System

GMA Network traces its origin to radio station DZBB owned by the Republic Broadcasting System of Robert "Uncle Bob" Stewart (1918-2006), an American war correspondent. The station first went on-air on June 14, 1950 at the fourth floor of the Calvo Building in Escolta, Manila. It went on to cover events such as President Ramon Magsaysay's sudden death, the eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok on March 17, 1957 and the various elections in the country. DZBB became the first radio station in the country to use the telephone patch for live interviews. The station also broadcast the forerunner of today's political satire programs with Kwentong Kutsero and glued audiences to the amateur radio contest, Tawag ng Tanghalan. A decade after the radio station's launch, the Stewarts ventured into Television. Using two cameras and a surplus transmitter, RBS Channel 7, the Philippines' third television station, started airing on October 29, 1961. While the station's programming were mostly canned shows from the United States, RBS did produce local programming like Uncle Bob's Lucky Seven Club, Dance Time with Chito and various news programs. During the establishment of the television station, RBS was always in the red. It was always at a distance from the larger and better funded networks. But it did not stop the company to start broadcasting in Cebu (DYSS-TV) in 1963.

[edit] GMA Radio-Television Arts

On September 21, 1972, then President Ferdinand Marcos placed the entire Philippines under Martial Law. Military troops entered radio and television stations and placed them under military control to prevent "communist" propaganda. All media outlets that were critical of the Marcos regime were shut down.

Foreign citizens and corporations were disallowed from owning media outlets in the country. Stewart and the American Broadcasting Corporation, who owned a quarter of the company,^[1] was forced to cede majority control to a triumvirate composed of Gilberto Duavit, a Malacañang official, Menardo Jimenez and Felipe Gozon in 1974. Through the acquisition, the station now was able to broadcast in color with a seven million peso credit line. The station also changed its name to GMA Radio-Television Arts (GMA stood for Greater Manila Area, the station's initial coverage area), although RBS remained its corporate name for years to come. Menardo Jimenez sits as president of the company while Felipe Gozon served as its chairman.

When Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr., a senator who strongly opposed the Marcos administration, was assassinated on August 21, 1983, it was a small item on television news. During his historic funeral procession, GMA gave ten seconds of airtime. With the assassination of Aquino, the iron grip that the Marcos administration had on television began to slip, as GMA broadcasted the funeral, the only station to do so. In 1984, Imee Marcos, daughter of Ferdinand Marcos, attempted to takeover GMA, just as she did with the Benedictos. However, she was foiled by GMA executives, Menardo Jimenez and Felipe Gozon. Stewart left the Philippines for good as he was utterly disappointed with the Marcos move. GMA was also instrumental during the years preceding the People Power Revolution. The network was the first to air a television interview with Corazon Aquino, and when she later announced that she would run for the presidency if she receives one million signatures. And, much later, in 1986, the network is also the first to report that Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile broke away from the Marcos administration.

When democracy in the Philippines was restored in the People Power Revolution in 1986, television stations began to air, some with their original owners. ABS-CBN also began broadcasting, and in six months, took over the ratings, which ultimately started its hold on local broadcasting for years to come. The political instability of the country also added to the station's burden, when soldiers stormed into the studios for two days in a part of coup attempt to topple then President, Corazon Aquino. In 1987, it opened its high-end live studio, the Broadway Centrum, boosting its local programming, and inaugurated its 77-footTower of Power, the tallest man-made structure in the country in 1988.

[edit] The Rainbow network

International reach became GMA's target in the 1990s, which it began through the Rainbow Satellite launched on April 30, 1992. Through its relay stations, GMA programs were seen across the archipelago and Southeast Asia. GMA has started airing in 60 American cities and parts of South America through the International Channel Network. GMA was also the official broadcaster of the 1995 World Youth Day, which was the last visit of Pope John Paul II to the country. During the same year, GMA launched a UHF channel, Citynet 27, several new shows (among them were Bubble Gang and Startalk, now some of the longest-running shows on TV), and the news program, Saksi with Mike Enriquez and Karen Davila. At the same time, two popular TV shows, Eat Bulaga and Okay Ka Fairy Ko began broadcasting on GMA after airing for sometime in ABS-CBN. In 1996, GMA formally changed its corporate name to GMA Network Incorporated. The acronym was also changed to Global Media Arts. GMA Films was launched in the same year. In 1998, GMA Films premiered Philippines' most expensive film, the 80 million movie José Rizal. The film also hold the most awarded film with more than 100 awards and recognitions. GMA was the first Philippine broadcaster to win the Peabody Awardfor Investigative Journalism in 1999. Later, Citynet 27 becomes EMC, the first locally programmed music video channel. It later became Channel [V] Philippines when it struck an agreement with Star TV to localize the said music channel. Channel [V], however, ceased operations due to the conflict of interest between the owners of GMA, which was then being considered by PLDT, who handles MTV Philippines through Nation Broadcasting Corporation, one of its subsidiaries. GMA was also the official Philippine network for the award-winning Global Millennium Day Broadcast in 2000. On January 2000, Menardo Jimenez announced his retirement as president and CEO and on December 31, 2000 Felipe Gozon assumed the position with his concurrent capacity as chairman. Gilberto Duavit Jr. assumed the post of Chief Operating Officer.

[edit] The Kapuso network

In 2002, the network engaged in a rebranding program in line with its goal to become the leader in providing local news and entertainment. It changed its logo and slogans to reflect its new corporate identity but still incorporating its identity as the "Rainbow Network". The new brand consisted of a red, stylized heart logo, with a band of different colors representing the rainbow. In tune with the new logo, the new slogan was "Kapuso, Anumang Kulay ng Buhay" ("One in Heart, Regardless of the Colors of Life"). The new logo and slogan of the network were unveiled on October 27, 2002 during a special edition of SOP.

In 2003, Saksi won the New York Festival Gold Medal for best newscast, the first Philippine newscast to do so. This, and the Peabody Award in 1999, earned the network a House of Representatives commendation later that year. On September 1 of the same year, GMA Network withdrawn its membership from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP), after incidents involving host Rosanna Roces, alleged commercial overloading and interfering when news anchor Mike Enriquez aired his complaints over his radio program, Saksi sa Dobol B, against Lopez-owned cable firm SkyCable's distortion of GMA's signal on its system, and a lost videotape containing evidence that the cable firm had violated the rule on soliciting ads for cable TV.

Changes were apparent in the programming of the network. The production of various shows were up to par with its rival network, ABS-CBN. Extra Challenge started to lead the game. And with launch of the telefantasya Mulawin in 2004, GMA finally gained a rating advantage in Mega Manila over ABS-CBN, officially on September 23, 2004.[1] By the end of 2004, GMA was one of the most profitable companies in the country. During the same year, GMA launched a new primetime news program, 24 Oras.

In 2005, GMA began broadcast of Mars Ravelo's Darna, a classic comic book character among Filipinos which became a big hit, with its ratings being the highest ever for a pilot episode of 47.7% and the first telefantasya to hit up to 52.2%, followed by Encantadia at 47.2 percent at Mega Manila. Other primetime telefantasyas like Mulawin (2004) and Sugo (2005) also maintained the network's lead in its Mega Manila ratings during the year. The company’s subsidiary, Citynet Inc., also signed a co-production and blocktime agreement with Zoe Broadcasting, allowing the GMA Network with another platform to showcase its programming and talents. In November 11, 2005, ZOE Broadcasting Network's VHF station, DZOE-TV Channel 11, went on the air as QTV (Quality TeleVision), and broadcasts show that primarily targets women audiences. QTV's news programs share the same resources of GMA News and Public Affairs, while some programs are produced by Citynet, Inc. Also in 2005, GMA made another milestone in Philippine television, when it won the Asian Television Awards' Best Terrestrial Television Station, besting MBC of Korea and Mediacorp Channel 5 of Singapore.

In early 2006, Debate with Mare and Pare, a late-night public affairs program, won the bronze medal in the New York Film Festival. The network maintained its primetime ratings re-formatting shows Extra Challenge and Encantadia (which was succeeded by sequels Etheria and Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas), and by the localized versions of the Korean series Jewel in the Palace and My Name is Kim Sam Soon. The network was also praised on its coverage of the Wowowee (a program of ABS-CBN) stampede by various local publications. In an exclusive interview, a reprehensive Mike Enriquez also interviewed embattled Philippine president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the first time since the lifting the State of National Emergency, which the network allowed other stations to air without prior consent. At the end of the interview, the President praised the network for its news coverage, hinting that other media outfits to do the same (probably referring to the local newspaper, The Daily Tribune). In April, the founder of the network, Robert "Uncle Bob" Stewart died in the United States. During the Everest climbing season the same year, GMA supported climber Romi Garduce, the third Filipino to reach the summit of Mt. Everest in only three days. The network is one of the first local companies to produce an iMax film, with the opening of the San Miguel-Coca-Cola iMax Theatre in SM's Mall of Asia. The network planned to go public in 2005, but due to political instability and downward trend of broadcast advertising, it has since been delayed. In a 2006 survey conducted by Pulse Asia, 7 out of 10 Metro Manila-based viewers find GMA Network a more credible network than rival ABS-CBN. [2] The Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement, AGB Nielsen Media Research's official nationwide survey conducted from October 8 to October 13, 2006 showed that ABS-CBN still led the nationwide television viewership with a share of 43%, and GMA with 35%. But the network managed to lead in the Mega Manila and Southern Luzon demographic, which has the highest television ownership and up to 79% of advertisement spots. [3] The NUTAM was officially launched last October 16, 2006 to determine the TV ratings and audience share of local TV Programs from the different urban areas in the Philippines. This changes the television landscape and the manner in which the advertisers will allocate their TV investments to achieve cost efficiency and maximize each. With this larger geographical measurement coverage, a greater level of accountability and confidence in television as a primary advertising medium is achieved.

In the January 15, 2007 issue of BusinessWorld, a local broadsheet containing business reports, AGB-Nielsen Media Research, the official ratings provider, released for the first time the official results of its Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement.^[2] The Nationwide Viewing Panel results for the week ending January 6, 2007, showed that in terms of per individual, 8 out of top 10 programs came from ABS-CBN. In terms of households, all top 10 programs came from ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN posted a channel rating of 12.2 and an audience share of 43.1 in terms of households, and a channel rating of 5.9 and an audience share of 42.7 in terms of individuals. GMA on the other hand posted a channel rating of 10.2 and an audience share of 36.9 in terms of households, and a channel rating of 5.3 and an audience share of 38.7 in terms of individuals.

[edit] Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by GMA Network

GMA Network programs include news and current affairs shows, documentaries, dramas, dubbed foreign serials, entertainment news and talk shows, game shows, variety shows, musicals, sitcoms, children's shows, anime shows, fantasy and reality shows. Most of its shows are broadcasted from the GMA Network Center. The following is the current primetime line-up (7:30-10:30 pm) of its flagship station.

Day	7:30	7:45	8:00	8:15	8:30	8:45	9:00	9:15	9:30	9:45	10:00	10:15
Sunday	Philippine Agenda <<Starts 7:00 pm.		Mel and Joey			All Star K!				Daddy Di Do Du Ends 11:00 pm.>>
Monday	24 Oras <<Starts 6:30 pm.	Asian Treasures			Super Twins			Bakekang		Jumong Ends 10:30 pm.>>
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday	Bitoy's Funniest Videos << Starts at 7:00 pm.		Pinoy Pop Superstar				Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho			Imbestigador

Legend
Comedies	Dramas	Game and variety shows	Fantasy	News, talk and infotainment

[edit] Branding of the GMA Network

[edit] Evolution of GMA Network logos

GMA Network has used a number of logos throughout its history especially when the station was acquired by Gozon, Jimenez and Duavit in the 1970s. In the 1980s, the network first used it slogan, "Where You Belong", which it would use for two decades. For the first time in 1989, the network identified itself as the "Rainbow Network," after the colors of the rainbow. Throughout the 1990s, the network refined the logo before having it replaced by the its current logo in 2002. After a huge marketing campaign, and improved ratings, the new logo is now one of the most recognizable in the country.

[edit] GMA Network slogans

• Where You Belong - Used in the late 1970s and was used for the next 20 years.
• In the service of man, for the glory of God. - Corporate slogan
• Kapuso, Anumang Kulay ng Buhay (One heart, in whatever color of life) - First used in 2002 with the re-branding of the network. Has several variations.
• GMA All-Out Blowout- Released in 2003 when the network launched several new programs featuring several of the big-named movie and TV personalities in the Philippines.
• Kapuso, Kayo ang Star ng aming Pasko- Released in Christmas 2003.
• 54 na tayo, Kapuso! - Released in 2004 for its 54th anniversary
• 55 na tayo, Kapuso! - Released in 2005 for its 55th anniversary.
• Iba ang Tibok 'pag Kapuso - Released in Summer 2005
• Kapuso, No. 1 tayo - Released in 2005, for surpassing its rival network in Mega Manila ratings.
• Kapuso ng Bawat Pilipino - Released in 2005, after the launch of its international channel.
• Pebrero ang Buwan Natin Kapuso - Released in 2006 before and exactly Valentine's Day
• Kapuso Summer Magic - Released for the 2006 Summer Season
• Kapuso, 56 na tayo! - Released in 2006 for its 56th anniversary
• Ang Sarap ng Paskong Kapuso! (Busog sa Sarap, Busog sa Biyaya) - Released during 2006's Holiday Season.
• Sum-a-mer ka na - Released in March 2007

[edit] Program production

[edit] GMA Network Center

Main article: GMA Network Center

GMA inaugurated its new GMA Network Center facility on June 14, 2000 as part of the kick-off of its year-round celebration of its 50th anniversary. The GMA Network Center supports GMA's thrusts towards digitalization and media convergence. While the first phase of the project has already been completed with the construction of the 17-storey high-rise, the center has an option to upgrade the older, existing facilities in the GMA compound, as originally planned. The network center is equipped with MARC (Multiple Automated Recorder Cassette) and a Broadcast Automation System that allows the network to manage live feeds and international feeds that will be carried out to GMA Pinoy TV subscribers around the world. The GMA compound has five studios, three of which are in the new network center, and two in the older structures. The Center serves as the Corporate Headquarters for the network and also houses the radio station and the newsroom.

[edit] GMA Broadway Centrum

Known as the "Broadway," the studio was completed in 1987 to serve as an alternative studio for the network's program. In the 1990s, the Broadway Centrum served as the live studio of GMA's top-rating variety shows, "That's Entertainment" and "GMA Supershow". In 1995, the network built a second studio inside Broadway Centrum by renovating the Eastside Theater (renaming it TAPE Studios), which is the current home of Eat Bulaga!. Once one of the most modern broadcast facility in the country, it was later renovated in 2000 when the musical variety show SOP moved to Studio 3 of the GMA Network Center. In 2003, it accommodated live studio audiences as it served as the live venue of the eliminations of the reality-based talent search StarStruck.

[edit] GMA Regional Network Centers

• Cebu
• Bacolod
• Davao
• Iloilo
• Dagupan City

[edit] Transmitter facilities

GMA Network spent more than P168 million for the upgrade of its transmitters and other facilities in various key areas in the provinces alone. The Company plans to augment its existing studio facilities in Cebu, Iloilo and Davao. It will also be putting up TV and radio facilities in Dagupan City to further improve its coverage in the northern part of the country.

The transmitter facilities to be upgraded include those that service Baguio, Dagupan City, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Lipa, Northern Mindoro, Naga, Central Camarines Sur, General Santos, Saranggani, South Cotabato and Davao del Sur. A new one will be put up to enhance coverage of Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental. Coverage realignment in Bukidnon will also be included.

These upgrades include new transmitting equipment, from transmitters to antenna systems and building/tower rehabilitation/construction. The facilities come complete with the essential support equipment for quality, reliable and continuous broadcast operation. The Network expects completion of these projects within the year.

[edit] Digitalization

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered that all analog TV broadcast transmission in the Philippines will be terminated by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2015, requiring television service providers to migrate to digital terrestrial television by that time. GMA Network is currently applying for a DTT license from the NTC.^[3]

[edit] Entities and ventures

[edit] Subsidiaries

Main article: GMA Network Subsidiaries

[edit] Affiliates

• Local TV Networks and Media Productions
  • Alta Productions, Inc.
  • APT Productions Inc.
  • Aries Vision Productions
  • Asian Pacific Broadcasting Company, Inc.
  • Catholic Welfare Organization
  • CBN Asia, Inc.
  • Cotabato Television Corporation
  • Estima Content, Inc.
  • FOCUS Entertainment Inc.
  • Hyper Vision Productions, Inc.
  • KB Entertainment Unlimited, Inc.
  • Lobo Productions, Inc.
  • Loca Productions, Inc.
  • M-Zet Productions, Inc.
  • Northern Mindanao Broadcasting System, Inc.
  • Rinconada Broadcasting Corporation
  • RIOT Inc.
  • Sarraga Integrating & Management Corporation
  • Television and Production Exponents, Inc.
  • Viva Television Corporation
  • ZOE Broadcasting Network

[edit] Media ventures

• INQ7 Interactive Inc. is a joint online multimedia news and information delivery company of the GMA Network and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Text, images, audio, video, and online interactive information tools such as discussion boards, online polls, searchable news databases, and others are made available through the two companies’ joint website, accessible at www.INQ7.net Ranking No. 11 in the 100Hot’s most-read online newspapers in the world, INQ7.net is owned by the Inquirer and GMA with both companies each owning about half of INQ7. The partnership with Inquirer ended sometime in January 2007 as GMA focused more on their new news website GMANews.tv.

• Kapuso JobMarket is partnership project of GMA, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQ7 Interactive Inc. and New Media Inc. The Kapuso JobMarket aims to provide convenience for job seekers by creating another off-line service that will help them search for employment opportunities using their mobile phones.

• Quality TeleVision is a television network of GMA Network in partnership of ZOE Broadcasting Network, owned by televangelist Eddie Villanueva. The network airs a lineup of shows geared mostly towards women and women’s concerns.

[edit] Availability

Main article: List of GMA Network affiliate stations

[edit] Divisions

• GMA Artist Center
• GMA News and Public Affairs
• GMA Entertainment Television Group
• GMA Engineering

[edit] See also

• List of Philippine media companies
• Philippine television networks
• Television channels

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Official

• Official Site
• GMA Pinoy TV Website
• GMA News Official Website
• GMA Records Website
• QTV Official Website
• INQ7.net news Website

[edit] Related

• Kapuso