GMA Network, Inc.

GMA Network, Inc. — latest news, discussion & facts — IJR

History

The company's roots can be traced back to then Loreto F. de Hemedes Inc., founded by Robert "Uncle Bob" Stewart, an American war correspondent. The company started with the launching of its first AM radio station in Manila through DZBB. 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 the crash of President Ramon Magsaysay's plane in Mount Manunggal; the eruption of Mount Hibok-Hibok and various local elections in the Philippines. 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 local VHF channel 7. In 1963, DYSS Television was launched in Cebu. On May 28, 1974, the company was renamed as Republic Broadcasting System Inc. A triumvirate composed of Gilberto Duavit Sr., Menardo Jimenez and Felipe Gozon took over the company from Stewart at the same year.

In 1987, GMA became the first Philippine network to broadcast in StereoVision while opening their high-end live studio at Broadway Centrum. In 1988, the network greatly improved its signal by switching to its 777-ft transmitter known as the Tower of Power. In 1992, the Philippine 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 name to GMA Network Inc.

On April 21, 2017, Philippine President Rodrigo 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.

GMA Network Studios

The GMA Network Studios consist of seven studios and are named Studios 1-7 (except German Moreno Studio) based on their size. 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 1 was the network's oldest studio which housed the programs of GMA News TV (formerly QTV/Q, now GTV), along with Radio-Television Arts-era programs such as Student Canteen and Weekend with Velez.

Studio 2 is their second smallest studio, which houses the GTV noontime newscast, Balitanghali; the defunct afternoon news and magazine show, Dapat Alam Mo!; and State 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 the Eleksyon 2022, the 2022 Philippine national and local elections coverage of GMA 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 from Vizrt 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 as The Today Show's Studio 1A in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

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 programs GMA Supershow and Lunch Date before moving to the Broadway 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 by Vizrt. 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.

The German Moreno Studio (formerly and still known as Studio 6) has an area of 640 square meters and can accommodate 300 to 400 audiences. Its former tenants include Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman, Startalk, Showbiz Central, Pinoy Records, All-Star K!, and Wowowin. It houses the variety noontime show TiktoClock.

Studio 7 is home to various shows of GMA like All-Out Sundays (and its predecessors, SOP, Party Pilipinas, Sunday All Stars, and Sunday PinaSaya), The Boobay and Tekla Show, Bubble Gang, iBilib and most of the reality and game shows produced by the network. Studio 7 has an area of 1,020 square meters and can accommodate 600 to 800 audiences.

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 and Vizrt was held on March 14, 2018, at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City.

Digital television

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) was ordered 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. The Philippines will be using the Japanese ISDB-T to facilitate the country's transition to digital television, rather than the ATSC system implemented by North American broadcasters devised as a replacement for the NTSC system utilized by North America and the Philippines.

GMA Network is presently applying for a digital television license from the NTC to install and maintain transmitting stations that will be attuned with and utilize to offer digital terrestrial television and digital mobile TV broadcast services, using channel 27 (551.143 MHz) frequency. Areas planned for a temporary digital broadcast will cover the cities of Quezon City, Makati, Pasig, Tagaytay, and Angeles City in Pampanga; and areas like Ortigas, Cavite, and Calumpit in Bulacan.

GMA Network, Inc. asked the NTC to reconsider its decision to use the Japanese standard and examine the European digital broadcast system instead. In earlier decisions, the National Telecommunications Commission reaffirmed its resolutions to use ISDB-T and conduct public consultations for its implementing rules and regulations which will be ready by April 2011. 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.

In February 2013, GMA Network, Inc. was able to conduct digital test broadcast with the ISDB-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.

Divisions

The entertainment division of the company that produces drama, comedy, reality, variety, game, and talk shows. 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/Magazine/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.

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)

YouScoop+ (formerly YouScoop)

The regional division of the company that operates all GMA Network and GTV 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.

51 GMA Network stations + DZBB-TV Channel 7 (GMA Manila)

26 GTV stations + DWDB-TV Channel 27(GTV Manila)

27 digital television stations + DZBB-TV Channel 15 (GMA Manila)

Synergy: A GMA Collaboration, also known as Synergy, is a division under GMA Regional TV that handles sports partnerships and production, concerts, non-ticketed events, and synergy for GMA. It is known for the coverage of NCAA Philippines, Limitless: A Musical Trilogy, and the first virtual reality concert, Alden's Reality.

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. and ABS-CBN International (a division of ABS-CBN Corporation) collaborated to air GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, GMA News TV, and some GMA On Demand programs on IWantTFC.

GMA Pinoy TV

GMA Life TV

GMA News TV

GMA On Demand

Super Radyo DZBB (international)

Barangay LS 97.1 (international)

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 with GMA Integrated News) producer in the Philippines earning 4 George Foster Peabody Award and lot of local and international awards. It is currently headed by Nessa S. Valdellon. It is known for I-Witness, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Unang Hirit, and the 2023 MMFF 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. It has licensed over 100 titles in more than 26 countries worldwide at present.

The talent management division of the company founded on August 12, 1995. Its artists include Miguel Tanfelix, Barbie Forteza, and Heart Evangelista.

About GMA Network, Inc.

About GMA Network, Inc.

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History

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Broadcast facilities

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GMA Network Studios

Digital television

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Defunct channels

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Channel [V] Philippines

EMC (Entertainment Music Channel)

Citynet Television

CGMA

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