Rhelyn Harder
- There is a growing number of non-cable homes that have shifted to the digital TV platform
- GMA Network and PLDT-Smart signed a partnership contract that will welcome the full implementation of the network’s digitization project
- To maintain its position as a leading broadcasting station, GMA network has to do an upgrade to cater to the preference of TV audiences
In 2018, ABS-CBN made an historic switch from the analog format to digital terrestrial television to relay a new experience in TV viewing. Since there is a growing number of non-cable homes that have shifted to digital TV, they introduced ABS-CBN TV plus.
It has already attracted over 1.2 Million TV plus subscribers who register to watch Filipino movies as it has become very accessible, with the registration now open to all cellular networks.
It has been noted that ABS-CBN TV plus already hit 7-million in sales because of the bulk of non-cabled homes that have already switched to digital TV. According to Kantar Media, last August 2018, based on their survey, 72% of non-cabled homes in Metro Manila have an ABS-CBN TV plus box, versus 55% of last year.
The same is true with the number of non-cabled homes with a TVplus box in Mega Manila, which increased to 65% from 44%; while those in the suburbs grew to 57% from 33% in the same period last year.
Last November 2018, ABS-CBN TVplus expanded their signal coverage in Batangas as its 16th signal coverage area, with the aim of accelerating their mission before the government mandated a deadline for all broadcasting companies to switch to digital broadcasting in 2023.
And they continuously expanded signal coverage areas in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Metro Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao.
GMA Network is already doing an upgrade
Last January 09, GMA Network and PLDT-Smart signed a partnership contract that will integrate the full implementation of the network’s digitization project.
During its partnership kick-off, GMA Network’s and PLDT-Smart’s top executives were present.
To maintain their position as a leading broadcasting station, GMA Network had to do an upgrade to cater to the viewing preferences of TV audiences better.
“For GMA, we have to recognize that for us to maintain our position as the leading, I will repeat, leading broadcast station in the country, we must evolve in accordance with the shifting habits and preferences of our audience.”
Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan expressed his gratitude to Atty. Gozon for trusting PLDT-Smart with the project.
“We thank you, Chairman Gozon, for the trust and we are quite eager to start working on this project and of course in making it successful both for GMA and PLDT.”
