GMA elevates TV viewing experience with the 16:9 widescreen format starting February 27

GMA Network announced that it will elevate the audience's TV viewing experience nationwide and internationally with the 16:9 widescreen television format starting February 27.

In an internal press conference with GMA reporters, GMA Network First Vice President and Head of Post Production Paul Ticzon and Senior Vice President and Head of Engineering Group Elvis Ancheta shared more on this exciting update and what audiences can look forward to.

“Recognizing that a majority of TV homes in the country have already shifted to wider flat-screen TVs from the traditional box-type, and more importantly that our viewers deserve the best that we can offer, GMA will now provide its viewers with a true widescreen viewing experience for all its TV channels," shared Ticzon.

"You have a more immersive, more cinematic experience," he said.

"The 16:9 widescreen format allows content creators of GMA to provide better storytelling which translates to a more immersive viewing experience for our audiences. Through a higher spatial resolution, there is more freedom in composition and visual expression,” Ticzon said.

“GMA Network budgeted over P139M in capital expenditure for the acquisition of attendant electronics equipment that facilitate the 16:9 widescreen format delivery through our existing analog and digital terrestrial broadcast network nationwide, as well as re-distribution partners here and abroad," added Ancheta.

"The 16:9 widescreen format can display 33% more distinct picture information than what we are used to seeing with the traditional screen format. We have chosen to utilize the full height anamorphic process or FHA to make this possible,” he said.

In terms of watching shows on the laptop or mobile phone, Ancheta said, "Make no mistake, kasi nga for those that are sourced online, 16:9 na tayo diyan."

The 16:9 widescreen format will be made available on GMA and GTV, as well as on digital channels Heart of Asia, Hallypop, I Heart Movies, and Pinoy Hits. Kapuso abroad can have the same viewing experience via GMA international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV.

The widescreen format further complements the Network’s cutting-edge shows, such as the flagship newscast "24 Oras," the award-winning public affairs program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” the action-packed National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the new primetime program “Mga Lihim ni Urduja,” and the highly anticipated, soon-to-air series “Voltes V: Legacy,” among others.

For older GMA TV shows, such as those on Pinoy Hits, Ticzon said, "What was originally 4:3 will be stretched to fill the screens all the way sa left and right."

"But in terms of screen viewing, full screen pa rin siya," Ticzon added.

According to GMA's research department, "70% ng TV sets sa buong Pilipinas ay 16:9. Only 29% na lang are 4:3," Ancheta said.

"4:3 TV sets — maging extinct na. Definitely, 16:9 ang future ng TV screens sa mga households," he added.

When it comes to TV, Ticzon said, "It's still a good medium to watch entertainment on. For one, it's a way of putting the family members together and enjoying the program side by side kasi if you watch it here, you can have different family members watch it with you. So, that's one — you can use as family time."

"Two, they're generally bigger than devices so you enjoy watching it on a bigger screen just like how people like watching in the cinemas — malaki 'yung nakikita mo, especially now that TVs are manufactured big," Ticzon continued.

"We work for our audiences. Sila 'yung, kung baga, 'yung boss natin. Sila 'yung pinagseserbisyohan natin. In our efforts to bring our output to greater heights, the network actually decided to really go for 'yung what is true widescreen experience for our audiences — give them the best possible output," he added. —KG, GMA Integrated News