GMA Network posts 18 percent growth in regular advertising and subscription accounts in 1Q 2011

GMA Network, Incorporated (GMA) started 2011 on the upward trend with an 18 percent growth in consolidated gross revenues from regular advertising and subscription accounts in the first three months to P3.138 billion from P2.652 billion delivered same period last year, after stripping off P973 million worth of political ads.

Airtime revenues delivered by platforms television and radio from regular advertisers grew by 21 percent to P2.865 billion from P2.367 billion. Flagship business unit Channel 7, which is now the acknowledged national ratings leader from January to date, and GMA Radio hiked regular advertising revenues by 25 percent and 19 percent, respectively. 

GMA International made subscription and advertising revenues worth P230 million this first quarter. The amount is higher by three percent in dollar terms, but down by two percent due to the appreciation of the peso.

Continuing to build on its global brand, international channels GMA Pinoy TV (GPTV) and GMA Life TV (GLTV) hiked subscriptions by 10 percent and two percent, respectively, this first quarter. GMA International likewise readies for the launch of GMA News TV (GNTV) international edition in July.

On the other hand, GMA's syndication sales and acquisition arm, GMA Worldwide, Incorporated (GWI), sold P6.6 million worth of programs with new markets in Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Meanwhile, newly launched GNTV made P12 million from its launch in February 28 till end March. GNTV is the first and only free-to-air news and public affairs channel on VHF (Very High Frequency). Because it is on free TV, viewers do not need to pay a cable service provider to get the latest news and information.

Net income for the quarter reached P534 million, a dip from P855 million recorded during the same period last year, which was mainly driven by political advocacies and advertisements in the top line.

GMA continues to thrive amid a non-election year with a modest increase in its total operating expenses (OPEX) by three percent to P1.989 billion. General and administrative expenses increased by 14 percent or by P114 million from P800 million to P914 million due to the Company's promotional activities in the regions to further establish its nationwide presence. The amount invested on ads and promotions almost doubled to P113 million during the first three months.

The quarter finished with earnings before income, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) worth P926 million, 34 percent behind last year's P1.413 billion.

GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon remains confident that GMA will deliver better financial performance in the succeeding months with GMA continuously emerging a ratings winner despite stiffer competition.

GMA maintains its lead in audience share from January 2011 to date. With majority of the country's population now attuned to GMA, I look forward to a more solid liaison with our partners, the advertisers and viewing public alike," said Gozon.  

On television, GMA has gone beyond ABS-CBN in national television ratings since the opening of 2011 and has managed to uphold its leadership position until today. This is according to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement--the broadcast industry's most trusted ratings service provider.

Based on household data surveyed in National Urban Philippines this April, GMA garnered 33.2 household audience share points, higher than ABS-CBN's 31.3 and TV5's 14.7.

In Urban Luzon, which comprises 77 percent of total television households nationwide, GMA's lead over competing networks remained at double digit levels. The Kapuso Network sustained its strong ratings performance in the said area with 36.8 share points, 10.4 points ahead of ABS-CBN's 26.4; and 20.6 points ahead of TV5's 16.2.

In viewer-rich Mega Manila, which covers 58 percent of total television households nationwide, GMA garnered 37.6 share points, 12.8 points up from ABS-CBN's 24.8; and 20.5 points higher than TV5's 17.1.

Furthermore, nationwide ratings data from January 1 to April 30 show that GMA delivered superior performance in audience shares with 33.6 points, up from ABS-CBN's 31.7 points and from TV5's 15.1 points.

For the same period in Urban Luzon, GMA registered an imposing 37.1 share points, higher than ABS-CBN's 26.7 by 10.4 and TV5's 16.9 share points by 20.2 points.

Year to date figures for Mega Manila show that GMA-7 posted 38.2 audience share points versus ABS-CBN's 25.1 and TV5's 17.7 for a lead of 13.1 and 20.5 points respectively.

Meanwhile, GNTV made a historic high ratings record during its coverage of the Royal Wedding last April 29. Throughout the wedding ceremony with live footage straight from Westminster Abbey from 5:00 to 8:00pm, GNTV hit 13.3 household rating - next to Channel 7's 18.6 rating for the same coverage. GNTV and Channel 7 delivered the highest ratings during the day.

The Nielsen TV Audience Measurement used by GMA is used by 21 companies including two other local TV networks, namely, TV5 and Solar Entertainment; Faulkner Media; CBN Asia; 13 advertising agencies and three regional clients. On the other hand, ABS-CBN is the only local network reportedly subscribing to Kantar Media, formerly known as TNS.

GMA Engineering Group, meanwhile, recently completed the TV-12 Ormoc Project and established a TV transmitting station site in Mt. Kanlandog, Murcia, Negros Occidental for the approved Ultra High Frequency (UHF) TV relay station project.

The Group's Content Management and On-Air Systems department administers the testing and bug fixing of the media asset management system (MAMS)--by far the most sophisticated filing system in local broadcast bought at US$4 million.

While GMA News Online (with URL www.GMANews.tv) remains the leading news portal with an average of 23 million page views this first quarter 2011.

pep.ph

Thursday, May 19, 2011
07:19 PM

GMA Network continues to lead nationwide ratings game based on AGB Nielsen Data

NATIONAL URBAN PHIL. HOUSEHOLD AUDIENCE SHARE:
JANUARY 2011
GMA- 33.0/ABS-CBN- 31.6
FEBRUARY 2011
GMA- 34.2/ABS-CBN- 32
MARCH 2011
GMA- 34.0/ABS-CBN- 31.8
APRIL 2011
GMA- 33.2/ABS-CBN- 31.3

URBAN LUZON HOUSEHOLD AUDIENCE SHARE:
JANUARY 2011
GMA- 36.2/ABS-CBN- 26.5
FEBRUARY 2011
GMA- 37.9/ABS-CBN- 27
MARCH 2011
GMA- 37.5/ABS-CBN- 26.8
APRIL 2011
GMA- 36.8/ABS-CBN- 26.4

MEGA MANILA HOUSEHOLD AUDIENCE SHARE:
JANUARY 2011
GMA- 37.3/ABS-CBN- 25.2
FEBRUARY 2011
GMA- 39.4/ABS-CBN- 25.1
MARCH 2011
GMA- 38.4/ABS-CBN- 25.4
APRIL 2011
GMA- 37.6/ABS-CBN- 24.8

GMA-7 improves weekday primetime performance, based on AGB Nielsen data

GMA Network, Inc. maintains its foothold in national ratings amid aggressive competition from other broadcast networks, based on figures from the most widely accepted ratings service provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Based on household data surveyed in National Urban Philippines from April 1 to April 30 (with  24 to 30 based on overnight readings), GMA-7 garnered 33.2 household audience share points, higher than ABS-CBN's 31.3 and TV5's 14.8.

The Kapuso Network also dominated the list of overall top 30 programs in National Urban Philippines with 20 entries, topped by the Philippine TV premiere of Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes' movie You To Me Are Everything, which scored a household rating of 34.0 points.

In Urban Luzon, which comprises 77 percent of total television households nationwide, GMA-7's lead over competing networks remained at double digit levels. The Kapuso Network sustained its strong ratings performance in the said area with 36.8 share points, 10.4 points ahead of ABS-CBN's 26.4; and 20.6 points ahead of TV5's 16.2.

In viewer-rich Mega Manila, which covers 58 percent of total television households nationwide, GMA-7 garnered 37.6 share points, 12.8 points up from ABS-CBN's 24.8; and 20.5 points higher than TV5's 17.1.

Nielsen figures also show that among the three networks, GMA-7 was the only channel in Mega Manila that made a leap in weekday primetime (6:30 to 11pm) this April relative to March. GMA-7's audience shares climbed by 2.8 points from 34.1 in March to 36.9 share points in April. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN's audience shares dropped by 2.0 points from 33.5 in March to 31.5 in April; and TV5's audience shares fell by 3.4 points from 20.9 in March to 17.5 in April.

Furthermore, nationwide ratings data from January 1 to April 30 (with April 24 to 30 based on overnight readings) show that GMA-7 delivered superior performance in audience shares with 33.6 points, up from ABS-CBN's 31.7 points and from TV5's 15.1 points.

For the same period in Urban Luzon, GMA-7 registered an imposing 37.1 share points, higher than ABS-CBN's 26.7 by 10.4 and TV5's 16.9 share points by 20.2 points.

Year to date figures for Mega Manila show that GMA-7 posted 38.2 audience share points versus ABS-CBN's 25.1 and TV5's 17.7 for a lead of 13.1 and 20.5 points, respectively.

GMA-7 President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. said that GMA-7 continues to lead in the ratings, despite the efforts of competition. "We are extremely grateful to the growing number of viewers who subscribe to GMA-7 programs making us number 1 nationwide. We will continue our efforts towards ensuring the delivery of unbiased and relevant news and public affairs programs from our News and Public Affairs Group as well as innovative programs from our Entertainment TV Group," Duavit said. 

This month, GMA-7 will be launching seven new network-produced programs, two Koreanovelas, public affairs specials and will be airing the year's most anticipated boxing match.

The line-up includes the Koreanovela Secret Garden, Munting Heredera, Blusang Itim, Andres de Saya, Sisid, My Chubby World, Playful Kiss, the Pacquiao-Mosley fight, Ground Zero, Sabadabadog, Blessed: John Paul II and the grand premiere of GMA-7's biggest television production to date, Amaya on May 30.

The Nielsen TV Audience Measurement used by GMA is subscribed by 21 companies including two other local TV networks, namely, TV5 and Solar Entertainment; Faulkner Media; CBN Asia; 13 advertising agencies and three regional clients. On the other hand, ABS-CBN is the only local network reportedly subscribing to Kantar Media, formerly known as TNS.

In Mega Manila alone, the Nielsen TV Audience Measurement has a sample size of 880 homes as compared to Kantar Media's 770 homes. Nationwide, Nielsen has a total sample size of 2,005 homes compared to the lower sample size of 1,370 utilized by Kantar Media.

pep.ph

GMA 7 continues to lead nationwide ratings game

THE country’s two largest broadcasting companies on Wednesday said their ratings remain unaffected by the aggressive expansion of TV5.

Citing Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA Network Inc. said it garnered 33.2 household audience share points last month in National Urban Philippines, higher than ABS-CBN

Corp.’s 31.3 and TV5’s 14.8.

In Urban Luzon, which comprises 77 percent of total TV households nationwide, GMA’s lead over competing networks remained at double-digit levels.

GMA sustained its strong ratings performance in the said area with 36.8 share points, 10.4 points ahead of ABS-CBN’s 26.4, and 20.6 points ahead of TV5’s 16.2.

In viewer-rich Mega Manila, which covers 58 percent of total TV households nationwide, GMA garnered 37.6 share points, 12.8 points up from ABS-CBN’s 24.8 and 20.5 points higher than TV5’s 17.1.

In a statement, Gilberto Duavit Jr., GMA Network president and chief operating officer, said the network continues to lead in the ratings.

“We are extremely grateful to the growing number of viewers who subscribe to GMA programs making us number one nationwide. We will continue our efforts towards ensuring the delivery of unbiased and relevant news and public affairs programs from our News and Public Affairs Group as well as innovative programs from our Entertainment TV Group,”

Duavit said.

themanilatimes

GMA7 and GMA News TV: Highest rating networks for royal wedding coverage

The Philippines has no royal family, but everyone loves a romance, especially one that ends up in a globally televised royal wedding. 

Over four million Filipinos in Mega Manila alone were tuned in yesterday to the British Royal Wedding of Prince William of Wales to commoner Catherine Middleton, based on AGB Nielsen overnight ratings.

And after weeks of heavy Royal Wedding coverage promotions by practically all the TV networks, two ratings winners emerged.

From 5 to 8 in the evening - the royal caravan towards Westminster Abbey to the bride’s breathtaking appearance in her Sarah Burton dress, throughout the wedding ceremony proper, and till the couple’s joyful carriage ride as husband and wife - GMA7 and GMA News TV Channel 11, were the no. 1 and no. 2 networks in terms of ratings, based on AGB Nielsen data for Mega Manila.

GMA7 hit an 18.6 household rating for this time band. GMA News TV, just a two-month-old news and documentary channel, followed GMA7 with a 13.3 household rating for the same period.

GMA News TV was the first free TV Channel to broadcast the wedding live, starting as early as 3 pm with its Royal Wedding: March to the Altar coverage, after first breaking the biggest news of the day -- Merceditas’ Gutierrez announcement of her resignation as Ombudsman.

Normally the fourth-ranking free TV network, GMA News TV saw its ratings climb to a historic high on the Royal Wedding day, at a certain point leading all the free TV networks in ratings.
 By 6 pm, GMA7 ratings picked up with GMA’s special coverage of the same event, becoming the leader for the rest of the evening.

GMA News and Public Affairs has been preparing for its combined coverage for months, sending top anchors Jessica Soho, Vicky Morales and Connie Sison to London for first-hand reports on the royal festivities. GMA News and GMA News TV’s no. 1 and 2 ratings prove, once again, that GMA News and Public Affairs is the Filipinos’ most trusted source of news and information. - GMA News

GMA Network Inc. dominated nationwide ratings in the first quarter of 2011

Television giant GMA Network Inc. dominated nationwide ratings in the first quarter of 2011.

National Urban Philippines Household Audience Share:

JANUARY = GMA- 33.0/ABS-CBN- 31.6

FEBRUARY= GMA- 34.2/ABS-CBN- 32

MARCH = GMA- 34.0/ABS-CBN- 31.8

Urban Luzon Household Audience Share:

JANUARY = GMA- 36.2/ABS-CBN- 26.5

FEBRUARY= GMA- 37.9/ABS-CBN- 27

MARCH = GMA- 37.5/ABS-CBN- 26.8

Mega Manila Household Audience Share:

JANUARY = GMA- 37.3/ABS-CBN- 25.2

FEBRUARY= GMA- 39.4/ABS-CBN- 25.1

MARCH = GMA- 38.4/ABS-CBN- 25.4

TAGUMPAY MGA KAPUSO!

Court junks damages complaint vs GMA Network

A Manila court has dismissed a civil suit filed against GMA Network Inc. by a Customs official over a supposed malicious story regarding her alleged ill-gotten wealth that was shown in four GMA programs in August 2003.

Dolores Domingo filed the complaint after four GMA News & Public Affairs programs —Imbestigador, Unang Hirit, Saksi and Frontpage — aired a story accusing her of acquiring unexplained wealth as Customs Operating Officer IV at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) from Aug. 8 to 12, 2003.

Named respondents in the case were GMA anchors Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, and Arnold Clavio.

In a 12-page decision penned by Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Carmelita S. Manahan dated March 15, the court cited the Supreme Court ruling in the 1999 case of Borjal vs. Court of Appeals that “fair commentaries on matters of public interest are likewise privileged."

“The doctrine of fair commentaries means that while in general, every discreditable imputation publicly made is deemed false, it is not necessarily actionable. In order that such discreditable imputation to a public official may be actionable, it must either be a false allegation of fact or a comment based on a false supposition," the Manila court said. 

Further, the Manila court quoted the Supreme Court's finding in the Borjal case that “no culpability could be imputed to petitioners for the alleged offending publication without doing violence to the concept of privileged communications implicit in the freedom of the press."

Dolores, with another BOC employee Chito Orbeta, was reported to have acquired luxurious cars and mansions in exclusive subdivisions based on public documents such as the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Deed of Sale, and Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Then production unit manager for GMA Public Affairs Ianessa Valdellon testified during trial that there was no truth in Domingo’s allegations that she, Domingo, was imputed to have committed the crimes of unexplained wealth, graft and corruption under the anti-graft and corrupt practices act. 

Instead, Valdellon said that what aired over GMA was straight reporting on the basis of public, official and commercial documents, which Domingo herself signed and filed as a government employee at the BOC. 

Domingo and Orbeta jointly filed a libel case versus GMA and Enriquez, Tiangco and Clavio. The case was dismissed on Sept. 17, 2004 in a joint resolution by the City Prosecutor of Manila. Orbeta also filed a complaint seeking damages from GMA but it was also dismissed in a decision dated Jan. 14, 2009 by the Manila RTC. 


igma.tv
April 18, 2011

GMA-7 bags three awards in 54th New York Festivals

Three of the awards were given to entries of GMA-7 while the remaining two were handed to entries from ABS-CBN.

GMA-7 AWARDS. The star-studded cinematic version of the "Lupang Hinirang" (Philippine National Anthem) won a Bronze award in the Music Video category. This particular work features Kapuso stars who brought life to national heroes in reenactments of historical events, such as the Battle of Mactan in 1521, the Philippine Revolution of 1896 to the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

Another Bronze award was given to GMA-7's I-Witness: "Paraisong Uhaw" (A Parched Land) in the Social Issues/Current Events category under the Documentary/Information Program heading.

The third award of the Kapuso network is a Silver trophy for Biyaheng Totoo (Real Journey) in the Special Report in News: Reports/Features category.

Meanwhile, Born To Be Wild: The Born Expeditions Finale earned a finalist certificate for the Nature & Wildlife category.

ABS-CBN AWARDS. Storyline, the weekly documentary of ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) bagged a silver medal for the biography-profiles category and a bronze medal for the community portraits category.

The winning entries of Storyline are titled "Alexis and Nika," "Orphan" and "Stolen."

Finalist certificates were given to the six other entries of ABS-CBN namely Altar (Copywriting: Promotion Spot), I Survived (Docudrama), Storyline (Social Issues/Current Events), Dahil May Isang Ikaw (Telenovelas), Magkaribal (Telenovelas), and TV Patrol's Bloodbath in Manila (Coverage of Breaking News).

The annual New York Festivals International TV & Films Awards aims to honor the "World's Best Work" in news, sports, documentary, information and entertainment programs, as well as music videos, infomercials, promotion spots, openings and IDs. 

After withdrawing from KBP, GMA 7 became No. 1!

After withdrawing its membership from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), GMA Network became No. 1, edging its nearest competitor, ABS-CBN who was No. 1 for about 15 years, to No. 2. Because of their public affairs and news entertainment programs, GMA Network became No. 1 on Sept. 23, 2004. -Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, chairman/president/CEO of GMA Network 

"But I’m not saying that because we withdrew from KBP, we became No. 1," Atty. Gozon hazened to add. "It’s just that soon after we withdrew our membership from the KBP, we became No. 1." They became No. 1 because of hard work; because they did the right moves and the right projects, after studying the strength and weaknesses of their closest rival. "Pinag-aralan kong mabuti kung ano ang mga ginagawa nila sa kabila, with the same dedication and zeal like when I reviewed for the bar." I have to learn from their weakness and strength. What he found out among others was that their closest rival had no homegrown talents at that time, that they were just "buying contracts" (that resulted in the rampant piracy of their talents) so they were somewhat operating on "borrowed abilities." And on their side, because they were counter-programming, he removed those standing on the way.

He closed down their entities that weren’t making money, like GMA Films (they lost about P40-million from their so-called ambitious projecst like "Rizal" he said), but when they had developed enough talents of their own (from their reality-based programs like the first ever artista search in the country, "StarStruck") he not only revived GMA Films (with his daughter Atty. Annette G. Abrogar at the helm) which he was proud to say is already making enough money to stand on its own; and GMA Records.

He said that his bold moves were borne out of his belief that if you own and produce the content of your programs, "kailangan ka ng mga viewers and they are our partners." But of course, at first, his people at GMA were skeptical. "So I had to get their cooperation and make myself credible to them first." Atty. Gozon had been chairman of the network since l977, he said but it was only in 2001 when he and his group including Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., EVP/COO) assumed management from the Jimenezes. He and Duavit own 65% of the network, and the Jimenez group, the remaining 35%. Atty. Gozon now holds the distinction of having "instituted a culture of excellence, making GMA the No. 1 TV station in the country.

Success motivates him, he said, and he never regrets anything he does, "even if I fail." His goal now is to make his network remain at No. 1 for the longest time, but he also said he’s not scared to become No. 2 again, if worst comes to worst. "After all, we’ve been there before."

A graduate of UP College of Law who took his masters at Yale University(his daughter Annette took hers at Harvard) Atty. Gozon was a corporate lawyer before joining GMA Network. Now he finds it more challenging to run a TV station than lawyering. "You can’t make research for your success in the broadcast industry," he said.

But why did GMA Network withdrew membership from the KBP?

"Because I did not believe in the regulatory function that KBP was imposing on members. That was obsolete already. The KBP was Marcos’ idea to regulate the broadcast industry. I did not agree in what KBP wanted to impose. I do not believe in censorship. I did not agree on load limitation. Even the US National Association of Broadcasters couldn’t impose load limitation now after they were hauled to court and the court ruled in favor of the complainant."

At the press conference held at the GMA station in Cebu, Atty. Gozon enumerated GMA’s achievements for the consumption of the local media. For almost three years now, "we have been the undisputed No. 1 TV station in the country. And we are confident that we will be able to maintain the No. 1 position in the future," he said.

"In 2005, we were named Terrestrial TV Station of the Year by the Asian Television Awards, beating the TV stations from 14 Asian countries. And this year - after three years of not finding a station worthy to receive the award - the Rotary Club of Manila gave GMA Network the TV Station of the Year Award.

GMA ushers in summer TV

MANILA, Philippines – GMA Network is launching today on “Party Pilipinas” its omnibus summer TV commercial billed as “Halo-Halo Ang Summer Saya.” In its programming recipe, the Kapuso network serves a hodge-podge of new flavorful ingredients to our favorite refreshment “halo-halo.”

Primetime TV’s “King of Telefantasya,” Richard Gutierrez brings on the three-scoop ice cream with “Captain Barbell.” In the comeback of the greatest Pinoy superhero on primetime tomorrow, March 28, Richard reprises his role as Captain Barbell and his alter ego, Teng, and is now joined by a new league of extraordinary beings with unique superpowers.

Host Edu Manzano offers ice-cold peace to warring families in the refurbished “Family Feud: The Showdown Edition,” while Chris Tiu puts in some wiggly gelatin with his “Man vs. Beast” – a new program that will pit powers against animals.

Ali Sotto and radio DJ Papa Jack add on the milk in “Star Box,” a daily talk show staged live in remote areas to engage the common-tao, while Jackie Rice dips in some pinipig in “Sisid” with leading men Dominic Roco, Ian Batherson and JC Tiuseco.

Meanwhile, Mark Herras, Kris Bernal and Rocco Nacino whip up their one-of-a-kind dance moves for TV’s most awaited danserye with working title “Jump,” as Carmina Villaroel takes on the kitchen heat with kiddie chefs in “Amazing Cooking Kids,” a reality cooking competition open to kids from eight to 12 years old. Carmina also stars in the forthcoming drama series “Munting Heredera” with Ms. Gloria Romero.

And then, there’s Marian Rivera making the perfect appetizer with her new horror-comedy show “Spooky Nights Presents Bampirella” which will run for a week. Marian also topbills GMA’s most expensive primetime series “Amaya,” which tells of the country’s untold epics. She is joined by Sid Lucero and TV’s newest “it” guy, Mikael Daez.

GMA-7’s summer campaign was conceptualized by the creative team of GMA’s Program Support Department composed of VP Regie Bautista, Associate Creative Director Dino Garcia, copywriter Sudoy Patena, Art Director Hendrik Gonzales, and Senior Project Manager Hasmin Marable; and was produced by a team composed of awarded cinematographer Ding Achacoso as director of photography, Director Paul Ticzon, co-director Vince Gealogo, producer Ingred Navarro and cameramen Erwin Tolentino, Ricky Paras, Paolo Visda, Javier Delgado and Paul Arrojado.

GMA Network once again completes the summer fun with a truly all-in-one “viewers’ delight.” As the ID’s jingle, sung by Julie Ann San Jose, and Elmo Magalona, says “Anumang saya ang hanap mo, matatagpuan mo rito.”

• • •

Richard, Capt. Barbell mature in new series

Richard Gutierrez has matured and so does Captain Barbell. But what else is expected from the new “Captain Barbell” series?

First, the setting is now in Mega Manila and second are the challenges and hardships that Captain Barbell’s human persona Teng faces.

Writers of the series said that the change in location from the province to the metropolis is interrelated to the maturity of Teng which they want to show their audience. They want to explore how Teng would adapt in the city especially since he has a young girl in his care played by Jillian Ward.

Richard describes the superhero as more mature now.

“As we know five years ago the audience of ‘Captain Barbell’ then were younger and now they’ve grown older. So our story must also mature. We have to establish that in those five years, Teng and Captain Barbell went through a lot in terms of responsibility and in the romantic aspect. It’s more dramatic this time and he has accepted more his role as a superhero,” Richard said.

The story takes off with the death of Rhian Ramos who happens to be a heart donor. And Teng would look for the woman who received Rhian’s heart. The two women who most probably has Rhian’s heart are played by Isabel Oli and Lovi Poe. And unlike the first “Captain Barbell,” there are more female stars in the sequel. As to whom will Richard end up with is what viewers have to watch out for. The two other female actresses in “Captain Barbell” are Michelle Madrigal and Solenn Heussaff.

The director added that Richard matured too as an actor. “If ever he matured as an actor, it is because he has been handled by different directors, writers and he has been doing a lot of things. All of those helped ripen him as a person and actor,” opined director Dominic. “Captain Barbell” premieres on March 28 after “24 Oras.”

mb.com.ph

CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN

March 27, 2011

Aljur Abrenica's Machete does well on its final week, based on AGB data in Mega Manila

Hard work really does pay off for Aljur Abrenica, who has now proven his worth as a bankable primetime leading man.

His recently-concluded series Machete ended on a high note beating all counterpart programs on its final week of airing. Machete earned a 34.9 percent average household audience share in Mega Manila covering the period of March 14 to 18, 6.3 points ahead of its competitor's 28.6 percent. This is according to ratings data from widely-recognized ratings provider AGB Nielsen.

From physically preparing for his role, promoting his show, to executing his scenes, Aljur displayed admirable dedication and professionalism as an actor. His Machete diet--Aljur's personal diet of no-sweets, no carbs, just veggies, fruits and loads of kamote--became a fad, while his mall shows conducted all over the Philippines were always jampacked with screaming fans.

But make no mistake, Aljur remains humble despite his recent achievements and promises to further enhance his craft. "I am very thankful for the support of my fans, who avidly watched Machete. Of course, I am most grateful to GMA-7 for their full support all throughout the series."

With the finale of Machete, Aljur is now busy with workshops in preparation for his next project.

Gozon Steers GMA Through The Storm

After a somewhat precarious 2010, Felipe Gozon, CEO of Philippine broadcaster GMA Network, has enjoyed a dream start to 2011. AGB Nielsen viewing figures show that, after years of trailing in second place, GMA eclipsed archrival ABS-CBN in all-day national ratings in January.

“What we have been aspiring for – leading in the nationwide rating – has finally arrived,” Gozon beams, speaking in an interview with Asia Media Journal.

The latest Nielsen figures, up till mid-February, show GMA holding on to a slim lead, though ABS-CBN disputes the claim. ABS-CBN subscribes to an alternate ratings system from Kantar Media, though these figures, while still recognized, are less widely used by media buyers.

GMA also benefits in all-day ratings from the ongoing popularity of early afternoon show Eat Bulaga, produced by third-party production house Tape.

Ratings recovery
Either way, GMA’s audience figures have significantly strengthened following a serious wobble last year, when a potentially perilous dip in ratings called for some quick solutions to get audiences and advertising back on track.

To make matters worse, this slump overlapped with last year’s elections, a critical time for TV networks when additional spend from political campaigns pushes up ad rates. Advertisers diverted more of their budgets to ABS-CBN, some moving wholesale to the rival channel, which struggled with the increased demand.

GMA responded with a swift programming revamp, ditching shows that had little appeal to advertisers, even if they were rating well, and put more focus on fantasy series, a core strength, in response to viewer demand.

“The dip in TV ratings last year woke us up, as we realized that we have become a bit complacent amidst stiffer competition,” Gozon says.

Gozon has also decided to shut down GMA’s underperforming five-year-old lifestyle channel QTV, which had once been seen as a potentially strong flank offering. In a change of strategy, QTV has been replaced by a 24-hour news channel, which made its debut last month.

News can be cheaper to produce than lifestyle content, and may attract a different group of advertisers, though GMA’s new channel will have to go head-to-head with a rival offering launched a week earlier by MediaQuest, the media arm of local telecoms giant PLDT.

MediaQuest has also thrown its weight behind the Philippines’ third most popular channel, TV-5, which has made significant inroads over the past two years on the back of heavy investment from PLDT, taking share from both GMA and ABS-CBN.

Gozon also expects online advertising revenues for GMA’s recently rebranded news website GMA News Online to pick up following the appointment of a specialist online ratings firm, Effective Measure, by a cross industry group of digital publishers.

The broadcaster also recently announced a joint venture between its new media subsidiary and the Manila Jockey Club to develop gaming technology across multiple platforms, as part of a move to develop new revenue streams.

Increasing impatience
Steady improvements seen in the performance of GMA’s main channel meanwhile, resulting in national lead in Nielsen’s ratings, are the result of an ongoing, many-pronged drive that began five years ago, Gozon stresses.

These include: improving signal strength in regions where reception was poor; tweaking programming to suit regional tastes; and, last year in particular, heavily promoting GMA shows in areas where the channel had a low profile.

“Every fiesta, we were there,” Gozon says. “Almost every month our talents were in the malls entertaining local people, talking to the print media, the works. We spent a considerable sum as our last card, because I was really getting very impatient why were not making the kind of dent we wanted to see.”

The biggest brands in the Philippines tend to view the Mega Manila and national markets as equally important though despite building a stronghold in the more affluent Mega Manila area, national leadership had proved elusive to GMA.

GMA also migrated to Hong Kong satellite provider APT Satellite last year, to widen its national satellite footprint. This year, it plans to convert more of its provincial relay stations into originating stations that can produce local programs, with an eye on building up local ad sales revenues, which are relatively small today.

GMA has four originating stations to date, some of which run 30-minute local news shows before the national news as well as early morning variety shows.

Upfront innovation
While GMA worked to recover lost ground in ratings, it also moved to lock in upfront commitments for some of its biggest volume advertisers last November — an unusual move as upfront strategies are usually initiated by advertisers, not the broadcaster. This helped GMA secure 50% of its 2011 ad sales targets by November last year.

“They were very aggressive towards the end of the year trying to seal as many negotiations as they could by offering no rate increase for 2011,” says Venus Navalta, chairman of media agency ZenithOptimedia Philippines. “So for those who went ahead, it’s kind of good for them because GMA is on the uptrend.”


asiamediajournal

March 12, 2011