GMA Network continues digital TV shift

GMA Network Inc. is continuing its transition to full digital television broadcasting amid the government’s plan to switch off analog broadcast by the end of the year.

“GMA has so far implemented the migration of existing analog TV stations to DTT (digital terrestrial television) and likewise the construction of new DTT stations,” GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon said during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Wednesday.

“As of today, GMA has 19 operational DTT stations nationwide [and] is in the process of completing/implementing 19 additional DTT stations for the balance of year 2023,” Gozon said.

In response to the government’s mandate to shift to DTT, GMA Network launched, in mid-2020, the GMA Affordabox —a plug-and-play device which allows those with TV in order to receive digital television broadcasts.

The company invested P1.5 billion for the digital receiver device project. 

“Since its launch in mid-2020, we have sold more than two and a half million units of GMA Affordabox,” Gozon said.

“For the first quarter of 2023, units sold increased by 38% compared to the same period in 2022. This is due to the reduced price and our increased market coverage,” he said.

The GMA chairman said the broadcast company is very keen on complying with the regulations of the National Telecommunications Commission “in all its DTT implementations like more digital channels to offer (regulatory encouraged), as well as realizing the additional services incorporated with the ISDB-T standard, i.e. use of electronic program guide (EPG), datacasting and likewise emergency warning broadcast system (EWBS).”

“GMA can be considered as leading the broadcast industry in terms of its roll-out of DTT stations, providing more channel choices for the digital viewers and also additional services mentioned earlier,” Gozon said.

“Even with its DTT stations illuminating certain service areas already, GMA maintains its analog TV broadcast service there for as long as necessary/permitted in order to help ensure the smooth transition for the viewers,” he said. — LA, GMA Integrated News