TV NETWORK WAR

PEP RELEASES AGB'S NATIONAL RATINGS!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Fri, 2 Dec 2016 10:31:00 +0800

Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) has finally revealed the National Urban Ratings of TV Programs based on AGB Neilsen. On a post dated December 1, 2016, PEP posted the NUTAM ratings on its Pep Alerts webpage. It has long been the practice of the GMA Affiliate to post Mega Manila ratings according to AGB, while National (urban + rural) ratings is based from Kantar Media.

In recent weeks, the Entertainment Web Portal deviated from its usual practice and began posting posting AGB's Urban Luzon Program Ratings while withholding the usual MegaTAM data.

GMA Network has recently claimed leadership in the NUTAM ratings after losing the lead in the second quarter of this year. The TV Network credits the lead to its strong primetime line-up with Encantadia and 24 Oras ranking on top. Wowowin is credited to be the audience magnet for GMA's recent primetime lead as it consistently outperformed rivals from ABS - CBN.

It remains to be seen whether PEP will sustain posting NUTAM data as ABS-CBN is expected to challenge GMA's fragile leadership in NUTAM.

November 28 (Mon)

AGB Nielsen NUTAM

Unang Hirit 4.9% vs Umagang Kay Ganda 3.7%;

Detective Conan 6.2% / Pokemon Xy 7.5% / Bleach 7% / H2O Just Added Water 7% vs Magandang Buhay 5.5%;

Hearts of Asia Presents: Girl Detective 6.6% / Kapuso Movie Festival: Nightmare on Elm Street 8.5% vs Kapamilya Blockbusters: The Chronicles of Narnia the Voyage of The Dawn Treader 9.2%;

Trops 10.1% vs Langit at Lupa 12.4%

Eat Bulaga 14.8% / Oh My Mama! 10.9% vs It's Showtime 12.5%;

Hahamakin Ang Lahat 10.3% vs Doble Kara 10.9%;

Sa Piling Ni Nanay 12% vs The Greatest Love 9.1%;

Wowowin 15.3% vs PBB Mga Kwento ng Teen Housemates 7.1% / Minute To Win It Last Man Standing 14.2%

24 Oras 23% vs TV Patrol 20.6%;

Encantadia 23.6% vs FPJ's Ang Probinsyano 23.6%;

Alyas Robin Hood 20.2% vs Magpahanggang Wakas 17.7%;

Someone To Watch Over Me 10.7% vs Till I Met You 9.2%;

Oh My Ghost 7.7% vs Pinoy Big Brother Lucky 7 9.3%;

Saksi 5% vs Tonight With Boy Abunda 5.3%;

Front Row 3.5% vs Bandila 3.2%;

700 Club Asia 1.6% vs Maniwala Ka Kaya Mo Mission Possible 1.9% / O Shopping 0.6%

ABS-CBN2 VS GMA7 XMAS STATION ID!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 22:11:00 +0800

ABS -CBN'S XMAS STATION ID

GMA'S XMAS STATION ID

GMA7'S AD REVENUES DROPED IN Q3 IN SPITE OF SURGE IN NUTAM RATINGS!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:57:00 +0800

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stocks Exchange GMA Network reported lower quarter to quarter advertising revenues from P3.14 billion in Q2 to P3.08 billion in Q3. The drop translates to a 2% decrease in ad revenues for channel 7 in spite of the surge in NUTAM ratings due to Eat Bulaga's ALDUB Phenomena.

GMA's channel 7 snatched back the lead in NUTAM last September 2015, with an average audience share of 37.4%, 2.5 points higher than ABS-CBN's 34.9% share. Bulk of this ratings boost is credited from Eat Bulaga's phenomenal numbers with its ALDUB love team. The drop in channel 7's ad revenues was mainly due to the losing performances of its weekday primetime line up, which are consistently defeated by counterparts in PrimetimeBida.

Eat Bulaga, through TAPE Inc, pays a fixed fee to GMA Network for buying its airtime. Thus any windfall from Eat Bulaga's commercial airtime has no direct effect on GMA's topline.

GMA Network is already working on maximizing advertising revenues by launching new primetime programs in 2016. The broadcasting firm's primetime line-up in 2016 include the revival of Encantadia, and primetime series featuring GMA's bigget stars: Aden Richards, Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.

With Political Ads already coming in, the continued popularity of ALDUB and the almost exclusive return of Colgate-Palmolive advertisements, GMA Network is far from reaching its maximum income potential.

TVNETWORKWAR ORGINAL

ABS-CBN NOW NO.1 IN METRO MANILA!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:53:00 +0800

ABS-CBN is now the most watched local channel in Metro Manila according to Kantar Media. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stocks Exchange, ABS-CBN reported a total day household rating of 13.7% in NCR, higher than GMA7's 13.5% rating for the July to September 2015 period.

The surge in ABS-CBN's overall rating was a stark contrast to the phenomenal popularity of Eat Bulaga's Kalyeserye that saw the rise of the ALDUB twitter fandom. The success of ALDUB has indeed affected ABS-CBN's afternoon standing, but this was offset by the better performance of its primetime programs with Ang Probinsyano, Pangako Sa 'Yo and On the Wings of Love constantly beating rival programs from GMA 7. From July to September 2015 Primetime Bida averaged 21.4% in Metro Manila, while GMA's Telebabad was 6.1 points behind with only 15.3%.

GMA's TURF

NCR and the Suburbs (which together comprises Mega Manila) are traditional bailiwicks of GMA7 where ABS-CBN's low frequency channel assignment disrupt signal reception in the areas. But with NCR's high Cable penetration, proximity to the transmitters and the faster adoption of Digital TV, ABS-CBN's signal disadvantage is minimized.

However, things remain bright for GMA7 as it remains the undisputed leader in Mega Manila. GMA7 still leads Mega Manila with a 16.5% household rating in the 3rd quarter of 2015, higher than ABS-CBN's 12.7%, citing data from Kantar Media. In the primetime block, GMA7 and ABS-CBN are in a tight race with 18.4% and 19.4% respectively.

In an effort to regain primetime leadership, GMA 7 is set to unleash new programs in 2016 with the revival of Encantadia and ELEKSYON 2016! Will GMA be able to steal back the primetime leadership? See the updates here in TVNETWORKWAR!

ALDEN'S TALENT FEE NOW 4X THE TF OF VICE GANDA!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:39:00 +0800

With the surge of Alden's popularity courtesy of the ALDUB phenomenon, Alden Richards suddenly becomes one of the highest paid celebrity in Philippine entertainment. In an article by the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), an entertainment website jointly owned by GMA Network and Yes Magazine, it was revealed that Alden's services to perform in Araneta will cost north of P10 million! The amount according to Joed Serrano was 4X the talent fee of Vice Ganda when the same producer hosted the comedian's concert.

A more than P10-million fee for a concert is indeed a staggering amount which highlights the level of popularity Alden Richards is enjoying. Should the concert pursue as scheduled, Alden Richards will also be the FIRST Kapuso talent (from GMA-7) to perform in Araneta, as historically only Kapamilya talents are able to amass enough crowd for such gargantuan venue.

On the other note, the three lolas, in the Kalyeserye are each valued over P1 million for a similar concert performance. Indeed the Kalyeserye main characters have reached so far in a very short time, even eclipsing Eat Bulaga's main stays Tito, Vic and Joey.

GOZON TO ANG: WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP THE P1 BILLION!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Thu, 6 Aug 2015 08:38:00 +0800

GMA Network Inc chairman Felipe L. Gozon on Wednesday said the P1 billion that San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang gave a down payment for a stake in the broadcast company is “intact and has not been used.”

"The Gozon Group has the right to retain it to answer for its claims for damages against Ang among others for opportunity loss, pursuant to law and the term sheet, as Ang prevented the transaction from conclusion and closing, by his unilateral decision not to proceed with the transaction and his imposition of new conditions after the purchase contract was perfected on March 21, 2015," Gozon said in a statement.

"As there is a valid and just reason for the retention of the down payment, there is no estafa," he said, adding that the P1 billion was deposited in a “reputable universal bank.”

Gozon said his group and that of the Jimenezes employed “no deceit” in their transactions with Ang, who also benefited from the advice of a “full complement of lawyers and financial advisors.”

The Gozon, Jimenez and Duavit families own a combined 79 percent of GMA7, and in 2013 agreed to sell a 34 percent stake in the broadcast company to Ang.

Gozon said he requested for a face-to-face meeting with Ang to thresh out their difference, but the latter allegedly turned down the request.

In his complaint, Ang sued Gozon and several of his relatives who are also GMA7 shareholders for estafa.

SOURCE

ANG FILES ESTAFA CASE AGAINST GOZON GROUP!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Mon, 3 Aug 2015 15:09:00 +0800

Business tycoon Ramon S. Ang filed estafa charges against GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon and his family members for allegedly swindling him of P1 billion in their talks for Ang to buy shares in the TV network.

In a 19-page complaint filed with the Department of Justice on July 27, Ang accused Gozon and 9 other GMA stockholders of committing syndicated estafa. The crime is a non-bailable offense.

Ang said the Gozons never returned his P1-billion downpayment for his planned purchase of 34% of GMA7’s shares – despite an agreement stipulating a return of the money should negotiations eventually fail.

The talks between both sides collapsed in June. GMA Network announced the breakdown of negotiations through a disclosure at the Philippine Stock Exchange, catching Ang by surprise.

He dropped hints then that he was considering legal action. “I am consulting with my lawyer and I am awaiting for an explanation."

Aside from the Gozon patriarch, also charged were the family members of the Gozon group of the FLG Management Corp. namely Felipe M. Gozon Jr., Anna Teresa Gozon-Abrogar and Ismael Augusto S. Gozon. Other respondents to the case were stockholders of GMA Network Belinda G. Madrid, Ma. Erlinda G. Gana, Jaime Javier Gana, Florencia Gozon Tarriela, Edgar Tarriela and Tricia T. Valderrama.

Ang spared other GMA7 major stockholders in the complaint, such as Menardo R. Jimenez Sr. of the Jimenez group and Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. for the Duavit group, because he said both parties indicated their intention to return the downpayment.

Ang, CEO of conglomerate San Miguel Corporation, alleged that all the elements of estafa are present in the case. “First element: Money received in trust or under obligation to return the same; Second element: Misappropriation or conversion of such money by the offender; Third element: Prejudice or damage and; Fourth element: Demand.”

The businessman argued: “It is public knowledge that prior to the transaction with the undersigned complainant (Ang), the respondents had also sought investments from other people, most prominently Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan of Metro Pacific Investments. After the transaction with Mr. Pangilinan did not push through, the respondents negotiated with the complainant (who is obviously a member of the general public). While the sale to the complainant likewise failed to push through, respondents succeeded in defrauding him of his Php 1 Billion Downpayment which respondents misappropriated."

Check in Gozon's name

Ang said the manager's check that he paid amounting to P1 billion was in the name of the Gozon patriarch.

The case is yet another twist in the Ang-GMA saga.

As early as June 2014, Ang announced that the planned acquisition of at least 30% stake in GMA was a done deal. The shareholders of GMA and Ang were in fact looking at signing the purchase agreement as early as November 2013.

The breakdown in talks last June 2015 was the fifth time that the broadcast giant terminated acquisition talks with a possible investor; and analysts said it could be because of a higher offer or a price no one can afford.

Some stock analysts speculated that the broadcast network might want more than what Ang had offered. (READ: Why Ang-GMA talks collapsed)

In Ang's complaint before the DOJ, he cited the so-called term sheet containing the obligation for both sides to negotiate in good faith during the "exclusivity period" covering the negotiations.

The exclusivity period was originally until April 20, 2014 and extended until June 30, 2014 and was further extended – through mutual consent – until it finally ended on November 15, 2014, according to Ang.

Following the exclusivity arrangement, Ang said he deposited P1 billion as his downpayment through a manager's check payable to Gozon, who shall hold the money in trust for the othe major stockholders, Ang said.

“It was also expressly agreed that in the event the terms and conditions of the Transaction Documentation are not finalized and concluded by the parties within the Exclusivity Period, the Downpayment *shall be returned to the Purchaser *not later than three (3) working days from the expiration of the Exclusivity Period without need of any further notice or demand,” Ang said.

The Gozons never returned the money, he claimed.

SOURCE

GLOBE'S MOTHER COMPANY FORGES ALLIANCE WITH ABS-CBN!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 09:11:00 +0800

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos in Singapore can now get a wide range of Filipino content with the launch of The Filipino Channel (TFC) on Singtel TV.

In a statement , ABS-CBN Corp. said TFC is being made available along with the Lifestyle Network and ABS-CBN Sports + Action to the line-up of Singtel TV.

Packaged as the Kapamilya Starter, TFC will be available with its three premium channels: TFC (Ch. 693), Lifestyle Network (Ch. 692), and ABS-CBN Sports + Action (Ch. 694).

TFC offers programs from its parent company ABS-CBN Corp., quality content from various providers, as well as content exclusively produced for overseas Filipinos.

The Lifestyle Network caters to viewers interested in food, travel as well as reality shows.

ABS-CBN Sports + Action, meanwhile, provides content from live events in the biggest sporting arenas to extreme sports in the outdoors, as well as exciting travel shows, thrilling action-packed movies, and laugh-out loud comedy programs.

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

ABS-CBN Global managing director for Asia-Pacific Ailene Averion said the partnership of TFC and Singtel TV addresses the content needs of Filipinos in Singapore.

“Filipinos in the country have been clamoring for well-loved content from the Philippines and the company of our Kapamilya stars. Singtel TV’s carriage of TFC, Lifestyle Network and ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel would not only mean that more Filipinos in Singapore will get the best and widest range of content from the homeland from ABS-CBN and exclusive shows from TFC but also a taste of home,” she said.

Formerly mio TV, Singtel TV is a 24-hour Pay-TV, providing subscribers content from all over the world, including the Philippines.

Singtel TV’s Kapamilya Starter will be available for SGD$ 21.90.

SOURCE

GMA 7 LOSES LABOR CASE ANEW!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 16:52:00 +0800

MANILA, Philippines -- Talents, or contractual workers, of GMA7 won what they acknowledged was an initial victory when the National Labor Relations Commission declared them regular employees of the broadcast network.

The June 22 resolution by Labor Arbiter Julio Gayaman said the 107 plaintiffs, members of the Talents Association of GMA or TAG, “are entitled to security of tenure and all benefits and rights appurtenant thereto” and that a contracts that states that no employer-employee relationship exists between them and the network is not legally binding.

It also ordered the network to reinstate dismissed workers immediately even if it chooses to appeal the decision.

The resolution said “the employment status of a person is defined and prescribed by law and not by what the parties say it should be” and that TAG had proven its members “necessary and desirable” for the network.

While celebrating the victory, TAG acknowledged that the decision can be appealed and, depending on how future decisions turn out should the network decide to seek reconsideration, the case could go all the way to the Supreme Court, a process the group said could “last up to five years.”

“What does this mean? It means that there’s still a long way to go,” TAG said in a statement.

But TAG said it was “committed to see this fight through,” and would wage it not only for themselves but “our colleagues in the industry who remain enslaved to this rotten system, and all other contractual workers in the country.”

“We will continue to fight so we may win for you, too,” the group said.

SOURCE

MVP OPENS DOOR TO RENEW TALKS WITH GMA7!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:21:00 +0800

MANILA – The PLDT Group may revive discussions for an investment in GMA Network Inc after the broadcast company ditched talks with San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang.

"You know, we are always open to, as I said, to content providers like themselves. But as of now, there are no talks between ourselves and GMA7," Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) said Wednesday night.

"Well, we're not yet really ready. We haven't really met internally to determine what course of action to take," he said.

The PLDT Group thrice discussed a possible investment in GMA7, but none of the talks prospered. The third attempt saw the PLDT Group offering P9 a share for a third of the broadcast company, but discussions fell through because of disagreement over regulatory risk-sharing.

Over a year ago, Ang came up with a higher offer of P10.80. Early this week, GMA7’s majority owners however ended talks with Ang, who in turn announced he was exploring legal options. The Gozon, Jimenez and Duavit families own a combined 79 percent of GMA7.

Pangilinan said GMA7’s content is "quite important" to the PLDT Group.

"Local content is still important to a platform provider like PLDT," he said.

SOURCE

THE VOICE KIDS 2 HELPS MMK & RATED K DEFEAT RIVALS IN MEGA MANILA!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 09:17:00 +0800

ABS-CBN seems to be able to get the most of The Voice Kids' popularity by placing it before the airtimes of MMK and Rated K! For two weeks now, MMK and Rated K were able to beat their tough rivals Magpakailanman and Kapuso Mo Jessica Sojo in Mega Manila.

MMK was able to beat Magpakailanman the second time this month with a 25% rating in Mega Manila as compared with the latter's 23.9%. Rated K was also able to outperform Kapuso Mo Jessica Sojo for the second time with a 21.9% vs 21.4% of KMJS. Previously both shows struggle to keep pace with the Kapuso rivals, rarely even reaching the 20% mark. But since the Voice Kids debut, the two shows ratings jumped significantly overtaking rivals in the viewer rich Mega Manila.

The first season of the Voice Kids, although hugely popular didn't help Rated K and MMK that much as it was placed after the airtimes of the mentioned shows. This time around, ABS-CBN made a prudent move to place the immensely popular franchise program before the time slots of Rated K and MMK to earn the shows better numbers.

ABS-CBN can finally claim weekend primetime dominance, with The Voice Kids and PBB able to lift numbers of fellow Kapamilya Programs. Weekend primetime is no better for GMA7, as Pangako Sayo, Nathaniel, Bridges of Love and now PBB able to lord their respective time slots against rivals from the Kapuso Network.

TVNETWORKWAR ORIGINAL

AGB RATINGS

AFTER TALKS COLLAPSE, RAMON ANG WANTS P1 BILLION DOWN PAYMENT RETURNED!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:55:00 +0800

A miffed San Miguel president Ramon S. Ang said Tuesday he was seeking legal advice following an announcement from GMA Network terminating their year-long negotiations that would have allowed RSA to become the single biggest shareholder of the broadcast network.

The termination came after top executives from Globe Telecom, according to the grapevine, met with GMA chairman and chief executive Felipe Gozon a month ago to discuss digital content and production partnerships.

"I was surprised. I did not expect this," RSA said in a statement, issued within an hour after Gozon broke the news to the network employees.

Almost simultaneously, the GMA Network released this statement to the regulatory authorities: "The Company has been informed by its majority shareholders (Jimenez Group, Gozon Group and Duavit Group) that the negotiation with Mr. Ramon S. Ang on the sale and purchase of a participating minority equity interest in the Company's outstanding capital stock is now deemed terminated."

Despite weeks of media speculation that the deal was no longer pushing through, RSA sounded hurt, and caught off-guard, by the GMA announcement.

"There was no indication that they would do this in the middle of negotiations," said RSA, who, if going by earlier media reports, was supposed to have already forked out a P1-billion, good-faith down payment to gain 30 percent of the country's second-largest network.

"I am consulting my lawyer and I am waiting for an explanation," RSA said without additional elaboration.

Yesterday's one-sentence disclosure from GMA Network, issued exactly a year after the network announced that the San Miguel president was taking a "participating minority equity interest,"was silent on the alleged P1-billion down payment.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the money "remains with the three principal shareholders" of GMA, referring to the Gozon, Jimenez and Duavit blocs.

"While there was an agreement in price, both parties could not agree on the details like due diligence and representatives and warrants," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The negotiations broke down after RSA's in-house lawyers, meeting with Gozon's own law firm, "started nitpicking" on the terms of the sale and purchase agreement.

According to the pro-GMA grapevine, Gozon then started to believe industry rumors that RSA was being afflicted with an advanced case of buyer's remorse, especially since he had reportedly offered P10.80 a share, as against last week's close of P6.30.

"Lawyers handling the negotiations was a factor in the collapse of the deal," the source said.

According to unconfirmed industry chatter, the P1-billion down payment that RSA had given to GMA Network faces likely forfeiture, a standard safeguard instituted by owners from outside parties wishing to comb through the company's documents preparatory to an acquisition.

SOURCE

RSA BACKS OUT FROM BUYING GMA7!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:02:00 +0800

It’s a no go as far as San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang’s investment in GMA Network Inc.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, GMA7 said its majority shareholders’ negotiations with Ang “on the sale and purchase of a participating minority interest in the company’s outstanding capital stock is now deemed terminated.”

The Jimenez, Gozon and Duavit families own 79 percent of GMA7.

To recall, the PLDT Group thrice attempted to invest in GMA7, but discussions with the broadcast network’s majority shareholders fell through. During its last attempt, the PLDT Group supposedly offered P9 a share for a controlling stake in GMA7, but Ang allegedly trumped this with a P10.80 bid.

SOURCE

PANGAKO SA 'YO SLAUGHTERS RIVALS IN ALL SURVEY AREAS!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:26:00 +0800

ABS-CBN's remake of Pangako Sa ‘Yo emerged as the most watched program nationwide and in Mega Manila last Monday, May 25.

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla topbill the new Kapamilya primetime series directed by Rory Quintos, Dado Lumibao and Olivia M. Lamasan.

However, the Kathniel tandem was not yet shown in the pilot episode of the teleserye that replaced Forevermore.

The first episode focused on the blossoming romance between a cook named Amor (Jodi Sta. Maria) and a businessman named Eduardo (Ian Veneracion).

Eduardo declares that he wants to meet the cook who came up with the delicious "binalayok" (a dish cooked using pottery placed inside a kiln oven).

However, Amor had to leave since her father (played by Buboy Garovillo) was having problems in the Buena mine, which is owned by Eduardo's family.

Later on, Amor and Eduardo have the chance to meet each other when they got stuck together in an elevator. The gentleman helped Amor calm down since she was suffering from claustrophobia.

Donya Benita (played by Pilar Pilapil) convinces her son Eduardo to consider getting married to the governor's illegitimate daughter Claudia (played by Angelica Panganiban).

Viewers had the chance to see the major players who will have an impact of the love story of Yna (played by Kathryn) and Angelo (played by Daniel) in the future.

MEGA MANILA RATINGS. How did Pangako Sa 'Yo fare in Mega Manila based on data from TV ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen?

The pilot episode of the Kathniel show was able to land on the No. 1 slot with its TV rating of 22.8%.

Pangako Sa 'Yo was the most-watched show on May 25 (daytime and primetime) based on the overnight ratings of AGB Nielsen among Mega Manila households.

The ABS-CBN teleserye was able to beat GMA-7's Let The Love Begin, which got a TV rating of 19.2%. This Kapuso show stars Ruru Mardid and Gabbi Garcia as well as newly transferred star Ai-Ai delas Alas.

NATIONWIDE RATINGS FROM KANTAR. Pangako Sa ‘Yo also emerged as the most-watched show nationwide according to data from Kantar Media.

Based on National ratings (Total Philippines, Urban and Rural) of Kantar Media last night, May 25, the remake was able to get a whopping 34%.

This figure is more than double that of its rival, GMA-7's Let The Love Begin that got a TV rating of 15%.

Its other rival, TV5’s Wattpad Presents: How to Break-up with the Bad Boy was able to get a TV rating of 2.3%.

This mini-series features Mich Liggayu of the YouTube sensation JaMich as well as Martin Escudero and Vin Abrenica.

SOURCE

SKY CABLE TO DIRECTLY CHALLENGE CIGNAL ON ITS TURF!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Tue, 26 May 2015 16:47:00 +0800

Sky Cable will soon offer satellite pay TV.

In a submission to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Sky Cable Corporation said it plans to spend P252 million for the rollout of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service across 251 cities and municipalities. Also known as "direct-to-home," DBS transmits signals to subscribers using satellite. A unit of ABS-CBN Corporation, Sky Cable’s venture into satellite TV will pit it against three existing players, namely Cignal, Dream Satellite TV and GSat.

Last year, Cignal dislodged Sky Cable as the largest pay TV Provider, ending 2014 with 845,000 subscriber as compared with Sky Cable's 800,000. Sky Cable's foray into DBS is seen to facilitate regional expansion, as DBS service is more popular outside Metro Manila.

Pay TV business is facing increasing pressure in the digital tv age, as more channels in the free-to-air service makes Pay TV less appealing.

SOURCE

GOZON: GMA REGIONAL OFFICES! "LUGI'; 'WALA NANG SILBI"

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Fri, 15 May 2015 11:43:00 +0800

GMA Network CEO, Atty. Felipe L. Gozon said workforce reduction in its regional offices was because "wala nang silbi", “The ratings and revenues are low,”; referring to the positions that were laid off.

“Malaki ang savings. Lugi kami eh. In short, wala nang silbi eh. Itong negosyo namin eh rating at revenue lang ito. ‘Yung ginawa namin no brainer lang iyon.”, said the chief honcho when asked for the reason of the manpower-reduction program.

During GMA's public disclosure for the first quarter financial results, Gozon revealed the company's massive man-power reduction program is still ongoing with more lay-offs seen on its main office.

"One thing that we don't want is to be overstaffed. We have to maintain a lean organization. In regional office, tapos na, but there would be more employees to be laid off in the main office," Gozon said.

GMA Network is in immense pressure to remain afloat with revenues stagnating and expenses soaring due to rising operating costs and capital spending for the digital shift. Profits of the broadcasting firm suffered contraction in the past years as airtime revenues fluctuate while consumer sales remain small. Expenses rose 3 percent year-on-year to P2.43 billion on higher production costs, while subscription and other revenue fell by 5 percent to P294 million. Airtime revenue climbed 7 percent year-on-year to P2.71 billion mostly due to the return of Colgate-Palmolive placements. .

TVNETWORKWAR ORIGINAL

RAMON ANG TO BACK OUT FROM BUYING GMA NETWORK?

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Fri, 15 May 2015 08:59:00 +0800

Is businessman Ramon Ang still interested in buying a stake in GMA Network?

Even GMA Network Chairman Felipe Gozon isn't sure.

"I have to be very truthful to you. That was some time ago, so if I say that we are still close, nobody will believe me, so I won't say it. So at this point, let me just say that our attitude is 'wait-and-see.' The ball is no longer in our court," Gozon said when asked for an update on the deal with Ang at a press conference.

Talks between Ang and GMA's controlling shareholders - Gozon, Duavit and Jimenez families - on a planned acquisition of at least a 30 percent stake in GMA have been going on for over a year. It was first confirmed by Ang and Gozon in May 2014.

Ang even said then that the planned acquisition of a stake in GMA was a "done deal" as early as June 2014.

Now, Gozon said it is now up to Ang to decide whether he wants to pursue the deal. He said the shareholders have not given Ang a deadline.

"The ball is in his court. Since I'm no longer sure, it depends on the suitor whether they would like to court us or not. There is no fixed deadline but it should be done within a reasonable period which is not defined," he said.

The GMA chairman said the shareholders are open to offers from other interested parties, even the group of Manny Pangilinan.

Talks between GMA and Pangilinan's Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) toward a buyout deal collapsed in March 2014. At that time, Pangilinan said GMA did not respond to PLDT’s offer to buy a 34 percent minority stake.

GMA is the main rival of ABS-CBN Corp.

Meanwhile, Gozon said the media company will continue its manpower-reduction program to include its main office in Quezon City. This comes after GMA laid off workers in regional offices.

SOURCE

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE HELP LIFT GMA7'S Q1 REVENUES BY 5% TO P3 BILLION!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Thu, 14 May 2015 22:56:00 +0800

GMA Network Inc. reported a net income of P408 million in the first quarter of 2015, up 25 percent year-on-year.

"As you can see, we over-targeted our first quarter this year. So, we are confident of exceeding the net income in declaring our cash dividends this year," GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon told reporters on Thursday.

Revenues rose by 5 percent to P3 billion on higher airtime sales from GMA Channel 7, GMA News TV, and radio stations.

Expenses increased by 3 percent to P2.432 billion due to higher production cost as the network improves on programming content.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) as of end-March was P986 million – 20 percent or P163 million higher year-on-year.

The GMA Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of P0.25 per share equivalent to P1.215 billion, payable on May 29 to shareholders on record as of April 24.

Ratings, online portals

The company said it received the largest audience shares in Mega Manila and Urban Luzon for the first quarter of 2015 based on the data from Nielsen Television Audience Measurement.

It received 39.8 percent in Mega Manila, while ABS-CBN posted 26.5 percent and TV5 reached 9.4 percent. In Urban Luzon, GMA led with 38 percent, ABS-CBN trailed with 29.9 percent, and TV5 with 9.1 percent.

Meanwhile, National Urban TV Audience Measurement (NUTAM) showed a close competition between GMA and ABS-CBN. GMA received a 34-percent audience share while ABS-CBN got 33.9 and TV5 got 10.4 percent.

GMA earlier reported the network was also a big winner during the "Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: Battle for Greatness."

The bout was aired in the Philippines for free on May 3. Most Filipinos tuned in to GMA to watch the boxing match based on NUTAM overnight ratings data.

Apart from the traditional media channels, GMA also reported a significant improvement in the performance of online portals during the first quarter.

GMA News Online posted 72 percent in terms of pageviews and 158 percent in unique browsers.

GMA Entertainment is also a winner online with 1,310 percent growth in pageviews and 1,025 percent in unique browsers.

Optimistic Q2

Based on the first quarter numbers, Gozon believes the second quarter will be "much better."

He was seconded by GMA Marketing and Productions Inc. President and COO Lizette G. Maralag. "The second quarter will be better than the first quarter of this year," she said.

A key driver for the outlook is a personal care brand's homecoming to the Network.

"Colgate-Palmolive, which was used to be exclusive with our competitor, has shifted budget to us. They are no longer exclusive with our competitor," she added.

This is on top of the continuous growth of advertisers, Maralag said.

SOURCE

WOWOWIN'S DEBUT A HUGE SUCCESS IN MEGA MANILA!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:16:00 +0800

Willie Revillame's grand television comeback reshaped the afternoon landscape as it breaks records according to AGB Nielsen's Mega Manila survey. The no-commercial break 1-hour WOWOWIN premiere raked 22.1% beating ABS-CBN's She's Dating the Gangster which only managed a 11.7% in Mega Manila. The numbers Wowowin garnered is enough to outdo any other primetime show on either ABS-CBN or GMA 7. The success of WOWOWIN, however, has little effect on GMA's ad revenue as all product placements and commercial airtime from WOWOWIN will all go to Willie being a blocktimer. This is much the same as Eat Bulaga where GMA's only consolation is the payment for buying their airtime. Of course, indirectly, the huge audience Willie was able to muster from WOWOWIN is more than enough to help GMA's in-house produced programs to perform better in the numbers game.

TV NETWORKWAR ORIGINAL

TV5 CATCHES UP WITH ABS-CBN IN THE DIGITAL TV RACE!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:04:00 +0800

MANILA - TV5 Network Inc is rolling out its digital TV service nationwide.

Emmanuel C. Lorenzana, TV5 president, said the company is spending P700 million over the next five years, with P300 million allotted for this year alone. The remaining P400 million would be spent through 2020.

"We already have, in fact we are transmitting digital in Channel 41 already. It’s just a matter of making the footprint bigger. Right now, it’s only National Capital Region," Lorenzana said.

"Not only bigger, but I want the transmission to be good in indoors, that's my priority," he said.

TV5 earlier sought National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) approval for the conversion to digital of its UFH TV broadcast station in the following areas: San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Kalibo, Aklan; Roxas City, Capiz; Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Aparri, Cagayan; Vigan, Ilocos Norte; Iligan, Isabela; Olongapo City, Zambales; Tacloban City and Borongan in Eastern Samar; and Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The Philippines is shifting to digital TV after adopting Japan’s ISDB-T as the standard for the migration. The NTC and the Information and Communications Technology Office are finalizing the migration plan.

The NTC aims to shut off analog TV service in the country by 2020. The agency is no longer entertaining applications for analog TV.

SOURCE

ABS-CBN REMAINS THE MOST PROFITABLE BROADCAST FIRM WITH Q1 PROFITS UP BY 5% TO P569 MILLION!

noreply@blogger.com (CoolSparks) — Fri, 8 May 2015 23:03:00 +0800

MULTIMEDIA conglomerate ABS-CBN Corp. booked a 5.8-percent increase in its net income for the first quarter of 2015, owing to the increasing efficiencies in its operations.

The company’s net income was at P569 million as of end-March, up from the P538 million recorded during the same period the year prior.

Revenues rose to P8.4 billion from P8.2 billion, while total costs grew to P7.6 billion from P7.4 billion.

“I am very pleased with our performance for the first quarter,” Aldrin M. Cerrado, the company’s CFO, said on late Thursday. “Advertising revenue growth has been robust and should accelerate over the coming months.”

He added, “We managed to reduce our production costs by 3.4 percent for the first three months of 2015 versus the comparable period last year, from P2.7 billion to P2.6 billion.”

ABS-CBN’s global operations also continued to expand its viewership, reaching 2.9 million Filipinos worldwide.

“We have finally begun to move the country into the digital-TV era. ABS-CBN TV Plus, which we launched in mid-February, is now being enjoyed by more than 300,000 households in Mega Manila, North Luzon and Cebu,” ABS-CBN Group CFO Rolando P. Valdueza said.

ABS-CBN TV Plus gives viewers clear digital signal on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Sports + Action, plus four exclusive channels, namely, DZMM TeleRadyo, Knowledge Channel, children’s entertainment channel Yey and the 24-hour movie channel CineMo.

Many households were able to watch the recent Pacquiao-Mayweather bout live through the pay-per-view option on their TV Plus boxes.

“We should reach a million households by year-end and expand our coverage to the Visayas-Mindanao area,” Valdueza said.

Shares of ABS-CBN inched up by 0.32 percent to close at P62.2 apiece on Thursday.

SOURCE

ABS-CBN BECOMES THE 1ST BROADCAST COMPANY TO IMPLEMENT THE CPIRP PRICING MODEL IN PH!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 09:57:00 +0800

Multimedia company ABS-CBN Corp. has rolled out a new pricing model for advertisers in an effort to make the media buying process more precise.

ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III said the network is using the cost per individual rating point (CPIRP) pricing model, making it the first TV broadcaster in the country to explore such a pricing model.

“Traditional media buying practice in the Philippines is one where we apply a fixed cost regardless of the program performance,” he said.

CPIRP, which is based on the globally accepted cost per target audience rating point (CTARP) model, allows advertisers to set a budget according to the set rates and how many individuals are reached by their ads.

The model used is similar to websites, wherein the number of unique visitors, their location, what device was used, page views, and time spent on each page can all be measured accurately.

CPIRP rates may vary each day based on the actual number of people reached by a TV show.

“We believe that precise measurement is the new norm in ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability. You pay for what you get,” Lopez said.

“If we fail to deliver, the advertiser saves his money. But when we hit the top of the chart, everybody wins. The advertiser gets the exposure he desires, the viewer gets to enjoy the shows that give them real delight,” he added.

The pricing model also impels ABS-CBN to hit the highest possible rating points per time slot at all times.

Lopez said the new advertising pricing model is part of ABS-CBN’s focus on innovation, which can be seen in the launching of ABS-CBN TVplus, ABS-CBNmobile, and iWant TV in the last few years.SOURCE

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE RETURNS TO GMA 7!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:48:00 +0800

GMA and Colgate-Palmolive are back together.

Commercials for Colgate and Palmolive quietly resurfaced on the Kapuso network last Sunday, April 5. This marked the first time since 2010 that the consumer products giant made its presence felt on the Kapuso side.

It can be recalled that Colgate and Palmolive products first aired on GMA after some disagreements with long-time partner ABS-CBN regarding ad rates. A few months later, however, CP’s products moved back to ABS-CBN after sales of their products declined during the company’s stint with GMA.

It is unclear why Colgate-Palmolive decided to renew ties with GMA, but it is believed that the former’s endorsement deals with Kapuso stars Carla Abellana and Megan Young (examples below) were a key reason behind the company’s decision to air their ads on GMA.

Despite the return of Colgate and Palmolive ads on the Kapuso network, the former will continue to honor its pre-existing allegiance with ABS-CBN. Considering that there are also Kapamilya talents who endorse Colgate and Palmolive (e.g. Liza Soberano, KC Concepcion), it is only fair for CP to air their commercials on both networks.

Still, it is surprising to see Colgate and Palmolive ads resurface on GMA. After all, they have been so identified with ABS-CBN all these years that rival fans from other networks seem to have forgotten about their products.

But Colgate-Palmolive needs to sell and promote. And adding another network in GMA should help their cause.

SOURCE

ABS-CBN PUSHING ADVERTISING COST PER TO PROGRAM RATINGS!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:37:00 +0800

ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III made a push for a new system of buying advertising spots in the country, at the Media Specialists Association of the Philippines (MSAP) Media Congress on Monday.

Lopez says the "Cost Per Individual Rating Point" (CPIRP) should be adopted in the Philippines, catching up with other countries like the United States.

Under CPIRP, advertisers would buy spots from TV programs based on the actual viewership or rating of the show.

ABS-CBN claims dominance in TV rating surveys by Kantar Media.

In his speech, Lopez highlighted the innovations in Philippine broadcasting that ABS-CBN has ushered over the years. From satellite broadcasting to The Filipino Channel (TFC), the company has always been at the forefront of radical new ideas.

"We innovate or we die," says Lopez. "Change is the only constant."

Now, ABS-CBN is pioneering the use of digital broadcasting in the country by rolling out receivers, dubbed as the "mahiwagang black box."

Source

ABS-CBN'S 2015 SUMMER STATION ID!

noreply@blogger.com (CPDO) — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 08:52:00 +0800