GMA Network Inc., commonly known asGMA, is aPhilippinemedia company based in Diliman,Quezon City,Metro Manila,Philippines. GMA is primarily involved in radio and television broadcasting, with subsidiaries dealing in various media-related businesses. The majority of its profits are derived from publicity and marketing incomes associated with television distribution. GMA is formed by the legal name ofGlobal Media Arts.
GMA Network was founded on March 1, 1950 by American entrepreneurRobert "Uncle Bob" Stewart as Loreto F. de Hemedes Inc. The company launched its first radio station,DZBB on June 14, 1950. Its first broadcast on television was launched on October 29, 1961, and the television station was known asDZBB Channel 7.
In 1974, the company became known as Republic Broadcasting System (RBS) after the triumvirate of Gilberto Duavit Sr., Menardo Jimenez andFelipe Gozon due to the changes in media ownership laws. It then changed its corporate name to GMA Network Inc. on May 16, 1996, when the network identity became GMA Network.[4] The common shares of GMA is a publicly traded company on thePhilippine Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GMA7.
The company's roots can be traced back to thenLoreto F. de Hemedes Inc., founded byRobert "Uncle Bob" Stewart, an American war correspondent.[5] The company started with the launching of its first AM radio station inManila throughDZBB.[5] It went on air on March 1, 1950, using the frequency of 580 kHz of the AM band, broadcasting from the Calvo Building in Escolta, Manila. Its early radio coverage highlights were thecrash ofPresidentRamon Magsaysay's plane inMount Manunggal; the eruption ofMount Hibok-Hibok and various local elections in the Philippines.[6] DZBB became the first radio station in the Philippines to use telephones for live interviews.
Within years since its first broadcasts, the huge triumph of the station and its growing number of listeners made clear the move to modern facilities in EDSA, Quezon City, with the work done in 1959.
On October 29, 1961, the company launched its first television station, RBS TV Channel 7 using localVHF channel 7.[5] In 1963, DYSS Television was launched inCebu. On May 28, 1974, the company was renamed asRepublic Broadcasting System Inc.[5] A triumvirate composed ofGilberto Duavit Sr., Menardo Jimenez andFelipe Gozon took over the company from Stewart at the same year.[5]
In 1987, GMA became the first Philippine network to broadcast inStereoVision while opening their high-end live studio atBroadway Centrum. In 1988, the network greatly improved its signal by switching to its 777-ft transmitter known as theTower of Power. In 1992, thePhilippine Congress passed a law granting the network to operate for another 25 years. The network launched the Rainbow Satellite, making their programs available nationwide and across Southeast Asia. In 1996, the company changed its corporate identity toGMA Network Inc.[5][7]
On April 21, 2017,Philippine PresidentRodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10925, renewing GMA Network's license for another 25 years. The law granted GMA Network Inc. a franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain radio broadcasting stations and television stations for commercial purposes, including a digital television system. This franchise encompasses the establishment of corresponding facilities such as relay stations throughout the Philippines.[8][9]
GMA Network, or simplyGMA (Global Media Arts), is a major Philippine commercial television network. Launched on October 29, 1961, GMA Network is also referred to as the "Kapuso Network" in reference to the company's logo. Its headquarters can be found at theGMA Network Center inQuezon City.
GTV (Good Television) is a Philippine general entertainment channel that aired on its flagship station, UHF channel 27 and was launched on February 22, 2021, replacingGMA News TV. The channel carries news, entertainment and sports programs and it is available in most satellite and cable TV systems.
Heart of Asia is a Philippine digital television channel owned by GMA Network Inc. Its programming consisting of Filipino-dubbed Asian films and television series. The channel was initially launched on June 12, 2020, and officially launched on June 29, 2020.[10]
I Heart Movies is a movie channel owned by GMA Network Inc. Its programming consisting of films produced and distributed byGMA Pictures. The channel was initially launched on March 25, 2021, and officially launched on April 5, 2021.[11][12][13]
On March 14, 2005, GMA Network Inc. launched its first international channel,GMA Pinoy TV. The channel is targeted toward Filipino communities worldwide. Flagship programs from GMA Network are shown aside from in-house programming. It also syndicates shows and airs a simulcast ofABS-CBN Studios'It's Showtime withTFC andAMBS'All TV.[14][15][16][17][18] GMA Pinoy TV is available in cities in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and some parts of Asia and Europe.[19]
On February 16, 2008, GMA International launched its second international channel,GMA Life TV. It carries programming from GMA Network and its former lifestyle channel in the Philippines,Q. It also carries new programs broadcast by the news channel,GMA News TV. GMA Life TV is available through cable and satellite television providers worldwide.[19]
On July 1, 2011, GMA International launched its third international channel, GMA News TV (formerly GMA News TV International). Its programming consisting of news and public affairs programs produced byGMA Integrated News andGMA Public Affairs.[20] The channel is available through cable and satellite television providers worldwide.[21][22][23] It is the third international channel of GMA Network Inc. afterGMA Pinoy TV andGMA Life TV.[24]
DZBB, also known as Super Radyo DZBB 594 is the AM radio station of RGMA in Metropolitan Manila, one of GMA Network's subsidiaries. Radio studios are located at 3rd floor of GMA Network Studio Annex, EDSA corner GMA Network Drive, Diliman, Quezon City while its radio transmitter is at Camia St., Brgy. Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan. The station operates 24 hours a day, except on Sundays in where it goes off air from midnight to 03:00 am. Some of the programs of GMA and GTV's Dobol B TV block are simultaneously simulcast on the station.
DWLS-FM, also known as Barangay LS 97.1, is the FM radio station of RGMA in Metropolitan Manila, a subsidiary of GMA Network. Its main radio studios are located at the 3rd floor of GMA Network Studio Annex, EDSA corner GMA Network Drive, Diliman, Quezon City and its transmitter is at Tandang Sora Avenue, Barangay Culiat, Quezon City. DWLS is the assigned call letters for the radio station and it was derived from the name of Loreto Stewart, the wife of its founder,Robert La Rue "Uncle Bob" Stewart.
GMA Network transmitter at Brgy. Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City
In order to strengthen its broadcast signal in Metropolitan Manila and its suburbs, GMA Network Inc. constructed theTower of Power in the third quarter of 1987.
GMA Network, Inc. spent more thanPhP168 million to the upgrade its broadcast transmitters and facilities in various key cities in the Philippines.[25] It plans to augment its existing studio facilities in Cebu, Iloilo and Davao. It also plans to upgrade construction of its existing broadcast facilities in Dagupan to further improve its coverage in the northern part of the Philippines.[26] These upgrades include new transmitting equipment, from transmitters to antenna systems and buildings/tower rehabilitation/construction. GMA Network Inc. expects completion of these projects by end 2009.
Presented to the Philippine Stock Exchange on January 15, 2009, GMA Network, Inc. discloses that it already disbursed almostPhP1.3 billion from the proceeds of its initial public offering to support various expansion programs in key cities in the Philippines. Expansion includes construction of broadcast facility, tower and transmitter upgrade for its Naga station; broadcast facility and transmitter tower for its Legazpi station; construction of transmitter tower and upgrading its General Santos station; and upgrading broadcast facilities, equipment and transmitter tower inDavao,Cebu,Guimaras,Bacolod,Iloilo,Batangas,Dagupan,Cagayan de Oro andBenguet.
GMA Network, Inc. inaugurated its state-of-the-artGMA Network Center on June 14, 2000, as part of the year-round celebration to commemorate its 50th anniversary. GMA Network Center supports GMA Network, Inc.'s thrusts towards digitization and media convergence. While the first phase of the project has already been completed with the construction of the 17-storey corporate complex, the center has an option to upgrade the older, existing facilities in the GMA compound, as originally planned.
GMA Kapuso Center is a 3-storey building located on Samar Avenue cor. GMA Network Drive inQuezon City, inside the GMA Complex. It is the main office ofGMA Kapuso Foundation, as well as Kapuso Action Center.
The GMA Network Studios consist of seven studios and are named Studios 1-7 (except German Moreno Studio) based on their size.[27] Studio 1 and Studio 4 (formerly known as Studio A and Studio B, respectively) were the first two old studios of GMA Network which is located in the old compound (formerly known as the RBS compound), which is being demolished as of April 2023 to make way for the construction of a new studio building. Studio 2, 3, and 5 are located in GMA Network Center building. The German Moreno Studio (formerly Studio 6) and Studio 7, the largest studios of GMA Network, are located in the GMA Network Studio Annex.
Studio 2 is their second smallest studio, which houses theGTV noontime newscast,Balitanghali; the defunct afternoon news and magazine show,Dapat Alam Mo!; andState of the Nation. The green screen used on weather reports of GMA Integrated News' programs is also located here. In 2022, the studio was renovated for theEleksyon 2022, the2022 Philippine national and local elections coverage ofGMA News and Public Affairs. The newly renovated studio was designed by the Emmy award-winning US firm, FX Design Group and uses the latest technology fromVizrt and Red Spy. It features LED video walls, color-changing panels, and an open-floor space.
Studio 3 houses is the third smallest studio in the complex. It is the home studio of the Philippines' longest-running morning show,Unang Hirit. On October 2, 2023, the program unveiled its renovated studio set designed by FX Design Group. The current studio set resembles to that of studios 2 and 5, as well asThe Today Show'sStudio 1A in Rockefeller Center in New York City.[28]
Studio 4 was the fourth largest studio in the complex. It was located in the old GMA Building and one of the oldest studios in the complex. It was occupied by the Saturday morning talk and lifestyle show,Sarap, 'Di Ba? as well as Radio-Television Arts / Rainbow Satellite-era programsGMA Supershow andLunch Date before moving to theBroadway Centrum in 1987. The studio, along with the old GMA building and Studio 1 is being demolished as of April 2023 to make way for the construction of a new studio building.
Studio 5 is the third largest studio in the complex. It is one of the most technologically advanced studio in the country. It is equipped with state-of-the-art broadcast equipment like HD video systems, audio systems, and cameras. In 2019, the studio was renovated. The renovation makes the studio equipped with augmented reality (AR) technology and immersive graphics byVizrt. The studio has large video walls, video floors, and a lot of TV screens used by news programs. GMA's flagship newscasts,24 Oras and its weekend edition, as well as the late night newscast,Saksi are being broadcast live in this studio.
GMA Network, Inc. takes a significant step in the continuous strengthening and improvement of the network's news department with a P154 million (2.9m USD) investment on a Newsroom Automation System (NAS). A signing of agreement between GMA Network andVizrt was held on March 14, 2018, at theGMA Network Center in Quezon City.
This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(July 2025)
TheNational Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered[29][30] all broadcasting companies in the Philippines to shut off their analog signal by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2015, and switch to digital broadcast.[31] The Philippines will be using the JapaneseISDB-T to facilitate the country's transition to digital television, rather than theATSC system implemented by North American broadcasters devised as a replacement for theNTSC system utilized by North America and the Philippines.[32]
GMA Network, Inc. asked the NTC to reconsider its decision to use the Japanese standard and examine the European digital broadcast system instead.[35] In earlier decisions, the National Telecommunications Commission reaffirmed its resolutions to useISDB-T and conduct public consultations for its implementing rules and regulations which will be ready by April 2011.[36] On March 27, 2011, the local regulator ordered an evaluation of the standard to be used by the Philippines for digital television and reconsidering the second-generation Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB2) from Europe and replacing the Japanese Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB) standard.[37]
In February 2013, GMA Network, Inc. was able to conduct digital test broadcast with theISDB-T standard via its UHF channel 27's frequency. GMA Network was the first television network in the Philippines to broadcast GMA-7 and GMA News TV-11 in standard definition (SD) format with a 4:3 aspect ratio, similar to TV channels in European countries, although the content had been stretched horizontally from its original 4:3 ratio. GMA was also transmitting 1seg on mobile and had no errors. However, in a statement, the network has not conceded its stand to prefer the European DVB-T2 over the Japanese ISDB-T.[38]
Established on January 1, 2007,GMA News Online (formerlyGMANews.TV) is the official site ofGMA Integrated News. It features the latest news coverage, including video reports, as well as business, sports, technology, entertainment and special reports, mobile alerts, newsletters, RSS feeds and real time search.[39] A diverse number of presenters and correspondents maintain blogs on its site and has an archiving database for its news content. A live stream ofDZBB, an AM radio station ofGMA Network is also available on its website. It also features YouScoop, an interactive section, wherein viewers can upload first-hand footage of news events happening in their area and visitors can also view such footage. Aside from GMA Integrated News content and materials produced, GMA News Online publishes articles and features from several news organizations, includingThe Associated Press andReuters wire service. In December 2010, GMANews.TV received one million page views per day.[40]
On February 7, 2011, GMANews.TV was renamed to GMA News Online and launched a new logo and slogan, “The Go-to Site For Filipinos Everywhere”; and retain its uniform resource locator,www.gmanews.tv to correspond with the launching of its all-news channel, GMA News TV.[41]
On September 12, 2008, GMA Network, Inc. launched its first video-on-demand service through myGMA Internet TV. Focusing on Filipino communities, it offers high-quality programs from GMA Network. It is an alternative to Filipino communities who does not have the access of cable TV and direct-to-home subscriptions. myGMA Internet TV competed withABS-CBN’s TFC.tv (now folded intoiWant).[42] Currently, myGMA Internet TV is inactive. The service was replaced by Kapuso Stream.
Online streaming on GMA Network's official website and Kapuso Stream, does not include acquired programming,Viu original and movie blocks as the live-streaming is only focused on local programming due to copyright restrictions.
Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc., a joint venture betweenGMA New Media Inc. andSummit Media, operates Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) and Sports Interactive Network (SPIN).
Partnerships of GMA Network Inc., the Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQ7 Interactive Inc. and New Media Inc. The Kapuso JobMarket aims to provide convenience for job seekers by creating another online service that will help them search for employment opportunities using their mobile phones.
Q was a partnership between GMA Network Inc. andZOE Broadcasting Network. The television channel previously aired foreign dramas, lifestyle shows and public affairs programming. The channel ceased commercial operation on February 20, 2011, to give way to its sister channel,GMA News TV.
GMA Network Inc. partnered with thePhilippine Daily Inquirer, one of Philippines' daily broadsheets to venture in an online multimedia news and information delivery company, INQ7 Interactive Inc. Its main business offers text, images, audio, video and online interactive information tools such as discussion boards, polls and searchable news archives. The partnership also paved the way the creation of a joint web site, theinq7.net and in recent reports, its ranks no. 11 in the most read online newspaper worldwide. In January 2007, GMA Network, Inc. and Philippine Daily Inquirer ended their partnership and GMA Network Inc. focused on to its owned consent site, the GMA News Online (formerly known as GMANews.TV).
The domestic counterpart ofGMA News TV was a Philippine news and lifestyle-oriented channel that was launched on February 28, 2011, and was aired on local UHF channel 27 and formerly VHF channel 11 through its blocktime agreement withZOE Broadcasting Network until June 3, 2019. On February 21, 2021, GMA News TV stopped its broadcast operations to give way forGTV the following day. It was failed to watch as a free-to-air news and lifestyle-oriented channel in the Philippines due to blocktime programs.[49]
On November 11, 2005, GMA Network, Inc. entered an airtime agreement withZOE Broadcasting Network to useDZOE-TV channel 11 for its local lifestyle channel, Q (formerly QTV, Quality Television). Most of Q's programming consists of foreign dramas, reality and lifestyle shows. On February 20, 2011, Q ceased commercial operation to give way toGMA News TV.[50]
On December 15, 1999,STAR TV Network leased the airtime of Citynet to launch Channel V Philippines through EMC (Entertainment Music Channel). Part of the strategy is to localize Channel V with programs produced locally by STAR TV Network and GMA Network Inc.
In 1999, Entertainment Music Channel or EMC is the first music channel of GMA Network Inc. after its UHF station, Citynet Television was rebranded due to high programming cost and stiff competition from free-to-air UHF TV channels. The music channel only lasted months after GMA Network Inc. signed a leased broadcast agreement with STAR TV Network to transmit a localize music television station, Channel [V] Philippines.
On August 27, 1995, GMA Network Inc. inaugurate its first ultra-high-frequency channel throughDWDB-TV channel 27 in Metropolitan Manila. It was the first UHF television channel operated by a major broadcast network in the Philippines. GMA Network Inc. launches its new channel under theCitynet Television brand and decided to expand its local programming business. Studios are located at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City. In April 1999, Citynet Television ceased its commercial operation and later on reformatted into a local music channel.
On February 1, 1993, GMA Network Inc. ventured into cable television via CGMA, is a 24 hour cable channel available on Home Cable,Sky Cable and Destiny Cable. It broadcast defunct and previously aired shows onGMA Network from 1980–2000. Eventually, CGMA ceased its commercial operation on July 25, 2001 when Home Cable and Destiny Cable entered into a memorandum of agreement to consolidate the operation of its company with Sky Cable's parent companySky Cable Corporation, a subsidiary ofABS-CBN Corporation, GMA Network Inc.'s main competitor.[citation needed]
GMA didn't have its own cable channel until 2005 with the launch ofGMA Pinoy TV, but unlike CGMA, GMA Pinoy TV (and its sister channels) only caters to international audiences.
Fox Filipino was an archive entertainmentcable televisionchannel launched on March 1, 2012. It featured Filipino-produced programming from GMA Network and Filipino movies fromGMA Pictures, entries from theCinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, selected Asian and Hollywood movies, and selected foreign programming dubbed in Filipino language.[51][52][53] After 8 years of broadcasting,Fox Networks Group announced that Fox Filipino would cease broadcast on July 7, 2020, as GMA andTV5 archived content were moved to GMA's digital television channels, Heart of Asia, Pinoy Hits andCignal-run satellite channel, One Screen, respectively.[54]
Hallypop was the Philippine version ofthe U.S.-based Asian pop culture digital channel, operating under a licensed branding agreement withJungo TV. The joint venture between both parties was established in 2019, leading to the channel's initial launch on September 6, 2020, and its official launch on September 20, 2020.[55] It ceased operations on September 20, 2024 alongside its sister channel Pinoy Hits.[56]
Felipe L. Gozon (chairman and adviser of the board; Chairman of the Programming Committee)
Gilberto Duavit Jr. (president, chief executive officer, chief operating officer; Vice Chairman of the Programming Committee)
Felipe S. Yalong (chief financial officer, EVP for Corporate Services Group, corporate treasurer, director)
Jose Marcelo G. Jimenez (Board Member; Chairman of the Executive Committee)
Anna Theresa “Annette” M. Gozon-Valdes (Board Secretary, Board Member, Senior Vice President for Talent Management Development, Program Management, Human Resources Department, Legal Department, Worldwide Department and other subsidiaries)
Cheryl Ching-Sy (Officer-in-charge for Entertainment Group and Vice President for Drama)
Michelle Seva (Officer In Charge of GMA Integrated News and Vice President for News Programs and Specials)
Marivic Araneta (Officer In Charge of Regional TV and Synergy and Senior Assistant Vice President and Deputy Head of Synergy)
Nessa S. Valdellon (Senior vice president for Public Affairs, Executive Vice President, GMA Pictures)
Joy C. Marcelo (First vice president for Sparkle, GMA Artist Center)
Glenn F. Allona (First Vice President for Radio Operations Group)
Ayahl Ari Augusto P. Chio (vice president for investor relations and compliance)
Eduardo P. Santos, CPA (Compliance Officer and Internal Auditor)
Roberto O. Parel (corporate secretary)
Lizelle G. Maralag (Chief Marketing Officer)
Elvis B. Ancheta (Senior Vice President for Engineering)
Ronaldo P. Mastrili (Senior Vice President for Finance and ICT)
Regie C. Bautista (Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development and Concurrent Chief Risk Officer and Head of Program Support)
The entertainment division of the company that produces drama, comedy, reality, variety, game, and talk shows.[60] It is currently headed by its Officer-In-Charge Cheryl Ching-Sy.
BDD I - Drama Productions
BDD II - Comedy/Infotainment/Game & Reality Productions
BDD III - Talk/Musical Variety/Specials and Alternative Productions
The news division of the company that generates news output for GMA Network's television, radio, and digital media platforms. The division is headed by Officer-In-Charge Michelle Seva, Under Seva's leadership, GMA News was rebranded as GMA Integrated News, integrating the newsrooms of GMA News Manila, GMA News Online, and GMA Regional TV.[61]
GMA News Manila
GMA News Online
GMA Regional TV
GMA Integrated News Sports (GMA Sports PH)
GMA Integrated News Research
GMA Integrated News Weather Center (formerly IMReady)
The regional division of the company that operates allGMA Network andGTV stations except GMA Manila and GTV Manila. It also produces local newscasts for 6 areas/regions in the country. The division is also headed by Officer-In-Charge Marivic Araneta.
Synergy: A GMA Collaboration, also known asSynergy, is a division under GMA Regional TV that handles sports partnerships and production, concerts, non-ticketed events, and synergy for GMA.[62] It is known for the coverage ofNCAA Philippines, Limitless: A Musical Trilogy, and the first virtual reality concert, Alden's Reality.[63]
The international division of GMA Network that operates and distributes international channels in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. In 2023, GMA Network Inc. andABS-CBN International (a division ofABS-CBN Corporation) collaborated to airGMA Pinoy TV,GMA Life TV,GMA News TV, and some GMA On Demand programs onIWantTFC.
A division of GMA Network that produces primarily public affairs, documentary, lifestyle, news magazine, and travel programs but now expanded in entertainment programs and film production. It is the most-awarded (along withGMA Integrated News) producer in the Philippines earning 4George Foster Peabody Award and lot of local and international awards. It is currently headed by Nessa S. Valdellon. It is known forI-Witness,Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,Unang Hirit, and the 2023MMFF award-winning film,Firefly.
A former subsidiary of the company which known as GMA Worldwide (Philippines) Inc. that became a division of the network that is responsible for licensing and distribution of the network's produced programs, as well as acquisition of programs from other countries.[64] It has licensed over 100 titles in more than 26 countries worldwide at present.
^"FOX FILIPINO CEASE BROADCAST".mysky.com.ph. June 8, 2020. RetrievedAugust 8, 2020.FOX Filipino will cease broadcast effective July 7, 2020 as advised by the channel partner.
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