GMA News TV

Summary

GMA News TV (GNTV; visually rendered in its logo in uppercase) is a 24-hour Philippine-based international pay television channel owned by Citynet Network Marketing and Productions Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of GMA Network Inc. Originally launched in the Philippines on February 28, 2011 as a domestic free-to-air television network replacing Q. It launched an international pay television channel (GMA News TV International) in the latter part of 2011.

GMA News TV
TypeBroadcast television network
Country
FoundedFebruary 28, 2011
AreaDefunct (Philippines)
Worldwide (except the Philippines)
OwnerGMA Network Inc.
(Citynet Network Marketing and Productions Inc.)
ParentGMA Network Inc.
Key people
  • Felipe L. Gozon (Chairman and Adviser, GMA Network)
  • Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. (President and CEO, GMA Network)
  • Felipe S. Yalong (Executive Vice-President for CFO, GMA Network)
  • Lilybeth G. Rasonable (Senior Vice-President for Entertainment Group, GMA Network)
  • Marissa L. Flores (Senior Vice-President for News and Public Affairs, GMA Network)
  • Elvis B. Ancheta (Senior Vice President, GMA Engineering)
Launch date
February 28, 2011
DissolvedFebruary 21, 2021 (Philippines)
Former names
UHF 27:
VHF 11:
LanguageFilipino (main)
English (secondary)
Replaced by
  • A2Z (VHF 11 channel space)
  • GTV (UHF 27 channel space)

GMA News TV ended its Philippine broadcast operations on February 22, 2021 to give way to GTV.[1] GMA News TV International was renamed to GMA News TV and continues to broadcast.

History edit

GMA News TV was created as a replacement for "Q", a network which primarily featured imported dramas and lifestyle-oriented programming aimed towards women, and as part of GMA News and Public Affairs's plans to expand its presence on free-to-air television. GMA News TV was unveiled on February 7, 2011 through GMA-7's flagship newscast 24 Oras, and Q was discontinued on February 20, 2011, in preparation for the launch of the new service, which occurred on February 28, 2011.[2][3][4][5]

Until 2019, ZOE Broadcasting Network served as an originating affiliate and flagship station of GMA News TV, as a result of a block time lease agreement between ZOE Broadcasting and GMA's subsidiary Citynet Network Marketing and Productions in 2005, allowing the latter to lease the entire airtime of DZOE-TV 11 Manila, in exchange for upgrading the former's facilities and an off-peak time slot for its programs on Channel 11 and GMA Network.[6] However, due to increasing lease payments of GMA Network to ZOE Broadcasting which is accompanied with decreased revenues of GMA, the two networks announced on April 24, 2019 that they will terminate the agreement by the end of May 2019. As a result, GMA News TV Manila was reassigned to analog Channel 27, which was being used for digital test broadcast of GMA Network, on June 4. In turn, DTV operations of GMA were transferred on a permanent frequency, UHF Channel 15 (479.143 MHz), which was being used since May 15.[7]

On July 27, 2019, GMA News TV premiered its first and only English language news broadcast GMA Regional TV Weekend News (now Regional TV Weekend News) before switching to Filipino since September 12, 2020.[8]

In line with the enhanced community quarantine imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, GMA News TV temporarily went off air on March 19, 2020[9][10] and has returned on air on March 21, 2020 with limited broadcasting hours.[11] On April 13, 2020, the channel resumed its regular primetime programming after 24 Oras, with its full programming restored by September 21.

Programming changes and rebranded as GTV edit

On November 21, 2020, an article was published by its affiliate news portal Sports Interactive Network, GMA Network announced plans for a possible reformat of GMA News TV into a sports and entertainment channel which is to be similar to the old format of Citynet Television and QTV. The plans were unveiled following GNTV's gradual shift away from its original news channel format and towards general entertainment and sports since September 2020, which includes acquisition of broadcast rights to NCAA and PSL games, a simulcast of its sister digital channel Hallypop, and additional entertainment programs from its mother station GMA Network due to increase of its commercial load.[12] This changes drew negative reactions by viewers, where news coverages were put on hold for entertainment programs, notably when the Philippines were hit by Typhoon Goni (Rolly).[13]

On February 9, 2021, the network announced that GMA News TV will be rebranded as GTV on February 22, less than a week to the day GNTV was launched a decade ago.[14][15][16][17][18]

To reflect the change, GMA News TV's presentation was dramatically overhauled on February 22, 2021,[19] it was replaced by GTV, the channel also featured to news, entertainment and sports programs.[20]

The "GMA News TV" brand has since been used for by the international channel, with the word International being dropped after 10 years.

Final programming edit

Most of GMA News TV's programming consisted of news and public affairs programs produced by GMA News and Public Affairs. Outside of its core programming, the channel aired entertainment programs including lifestyle, cooking shows, talk shows, local and foreign drama, comedy and reality series, travel, foreign animated series, local and foreign movie blocks, sports programs and additional programming produced by GMA.

Availability edit

GMA News TV was seen via regular free-to-air television on Channel 27 in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao and other 28 regional stations nationwide. Aside from GNTV's main analog signal, it was a must-carry channel on all cable and satellite TV providers nationwide. This channel was also available as a digital subchannel through GMA's main digital transmitters in Metro Manila, Baguio, Batangas, Cebu, and Davao.

GMA News TV International edit

GMA News TV International
 
Logo used since 2021
CountryPhilippines
Broadcast areaWorldwide
NetworkGMA News TV (now GTV)
HeadquartersGMA Network Center, EDSA cor. Timog Ave. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Programming
Language(s)Filipino
English (subtitles)
Picture format16:9 480i/576i SDTV
Ownership
OwnerGMA International
Sister channels
History
LaunchedJuly 1, 2011; 12 years ago (2011-07-01)
Links
WebsiteGMA News TV International Facebook Page
Availability
Terrestrial
Zuku TV (Kenya)Channel 531

Later in 2011, GMA Network would also launch a 24-hour international version called GMA News TV International to complement its two other international channels (GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV). Unlike its domestic counterpart, programs on GMA News TV International air tape-delayed (except for selected special events such as live coverage of Day 1 of Eleksyon 2013) and the timepiece on the lower-left hand side of the screen is covered.

It began to be offered as a preview channel in Australia on FetchTV, IPS/AccessTV in Japan, GUdTV in Guam, Zuku TV in Kenya and on OSN, with an official launch planned for the third quarter of 2011.[21][22]

GMA News TV International was officially launched on UBI World TV on December 1, 2011.[23] In May 2012, Canadian IPTV provider MTS TV added GMA News TV International, becoming its first Canadian carrier. In November 2012, Optik TV added the channel to their lineup. Additionally, GMA News TV international is now also available in Singtel TV in SD. GMA News TV International was officially launched on Starhub TV in January 2019 along with GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV.

In Hong Kong, GMA News TV International was launched through Now TV in June 2015.

In Europe, Australia and New Zealand, GMA News TV International (along with GMA's other international channels) is available through over-the-top streaming service Lyca TV.

Despite the rebranding of GMA News TV as GTV on February 22, 2021 in the Philippines, the international version will continue using its name afterwards.[16]

On April 26, 2023, ABS-CBN and GMA Network announced that GMA News TV will be available on ABS-CBN's iWantTFC for viewers outside of the Philippines on May 1 alongside GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV.[24][25]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "GMA News TV 27 Final Sign OFF February 21, 2021". YouTube. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  2. ^ "GMA-7 launches GMA News TV on Channel 11". PEP.ph. February 2, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "GMA Network launches GMA News TV". GMA News Online. February 5, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "GMA News TV goes on air". GMA News Online. February 28, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  5. ^ GMA News TV Station ID (in Filipino). gmatv. February 7, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2020 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "GMA Network partners with Zoe Broadcasting Channel 11". Philstar. The Philippine Star. April 28, 2005. Retrieved April 28, 2005.
  7. ^ Melegrito, JM (April 28, 2019). "ZOE Broadcasting to end Blocktime Agreement with GMA Network". DTV Pilipinas. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "GMA Regional TV Weekend News to air on GMA News TV this July 27". GMA Entertainment. July 25, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  9. ^ "GMA News TV temporarily goes off the air amid Luzon lockdown". CNN Philippines. March 18, 2020. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  10. ^ Aguilar, Krissy (March 19, 2020). "GMA News TV temporarily signs off due to 'current state of calamity'". Inquirer.net. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  11. ^ Mendoza, Red (March 20, 2020). "GMA News TV, CNN Philippines to return on air". The Manila Times. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  12. ^ "GMA 7 beats TV5 for right to broadcast NCAA games, says source". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  13. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick (November 1, 2020). "GMA News TV trends on Twitter as netizens look for updates about typhoon Rolly". PEP.ph. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  14. ^ GMA Network. "Something good is coming this 2.22!". YouTube. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  15. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick. "GMA News TV rebranded as Gtv following launch of entertainment programs". Pep.ph. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  16. ^ a b "The news you trust and new shows to love: GMA News TV is now GTV". GMANetwork.com. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  17. ^ "GTV offers more variety for 'young and young at heart' audience". GMA News Online. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  18. ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (February 19, 2021). "GMA News TV to rebrand to GTV". The Manila Times. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  19. ^ "GTV 27 First Sign ON February 22, 2021". YouTube. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  20. ^ GMA Network. "GTV: We give you everything good! | Station ID". YouTube. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "GMA Network launches third international channel". GMA News Online. July 14, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  22. ^ "GMA News TV goes International". GMA Pinoy TV. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  23. ^ "GMA News TV International to be launched in Australia Oct. 1". GMA News Online. September 30, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  24. ^ "GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV on iWantTFC in select regions starting May 1". ABS-CBN News. April 26, 2023.
  25. ^ "GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV on iWantTFC in select regions starting May 1". Manila Bulletin. April 26, 2023.