This month's issue features new Kapuso primetime offering, Legacy, on the cover. Other stories include Kusina Master, Romi Garduce's successful Seven Summits quest and must-see GMA ETV programs in Q1 2012. The latest GMA G.I.V.E.S. volunteering activities (Christmas outreach with Aetas and kids with cancer) are in the new CSR section called Citizen Kapuso.

There is no truth to the rumor going around in social media sites and the Internet that Mr. Manny Pangilinan has bought GMA Network. In fact, there is no negotiation going on between GMA and Mr. Pangilinan regarding the latter's acquisition of GMA-7.

With technology spawning new ways of engaging the audience, we in the media business must work double time to keep up with the consumer’s increasingly speedy access to information and content. - GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon

GMA Network, today’s number one broadcast station in the country, is ready for full digitization.

Speaking before business leaders from the Philippines and Asia at the recently concluded 2011 MAP International CEO Conference, GMA Chairman and CEO Atty Felipe Gozon spelled out several ways by which the Kapuso Network is coping with the challenges of digitization: development of versatile business models; re-purposing of content to accommodate various channels of delivery; and sustained commitment to develop innovative program content.

According to Gozon, despite heightened use of the internet as a channel to access media content, including entertainment and news, television will not be totally sidelined nor will be it relegated to the background. “Yes, the television set will continue to be an effective – if not the most pervasive – medium at least in the Philippines , for many years to come.”
Gozon says TV has already transformed itself into mainstream media across platforms as evidenced by the rate of TV consumption in the country, which increased to 98% in 2011, from 97% in 2007, according to the report of Synovate.

However, fast-paced technological developments have caused media to evolve. Today, media players acknowledge that the rules of the game have changed. Actually, there are is no one prevailing rule. The trend is convergence, the vehicle is innovative technologies and the hook is social media. The race is no longer about reaching a large audience – it is connecting with them, 24/7.

The Kapuso Network’s top executive is convinced that despite various modes of delivery competing with TV, good content will remain a non-negotiable. “More so now because social media platforms have made our audience bolder and more daring in telling us just exactly what they think of our offerings, be they on emerging internet TV, the analog TV set and everything else in between,” Gozon explained.

He also emphasized that, “With technology spawning new ways of engaging the audience, we in the media business must work double time to keep up with the consumer’s increasingly speedy access to information and content.”

The theme of the 2011 MAP CONFERENCE was “FAST, FLAT & FREE: Leading in the New, Convergent World” and featured lessons learned by key players in various industries.

Gozon has been serving as Chair of GMA Network, Inc. since 1975. He is credited with steering GMA towards being the number 1 station in the country today and has been consistently listed among BizNews Asia’s Power 100 (2003 to 2010). In 2010, he earned the distinction of being the only Filipino to be selected as a member of the Advisory Board for the Asian Television Awards (ATA).

It’s a double victory for GMA-7 and GMA News TV with GMA-7 remaining as the country’s leading television network and GMA News TV emerging as the no. 1 news channel nationwide. That’s according to the ratings data from the more widely-recognized ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Full July household audience share data show that industry leader GMA Network continues to dominate nationwide, with 34.2 share points ahead of ABS-CBN’s 31.4. The Kapuso Network was also the runaway winner in Urban Luzon, 37.9 compared to ABS-CBN’s 26.6; and in Mega Manila, 38.5 compared to ABS-CBN’s 25.4.

GMA News TV Channel 11, on the other hand, has established itself as the leading news channel in the country since its launch last February. GMA News TV’s July NUTAM 2.9 share points clearly outclassed ABS-CBN News Channel’s (ANC) 0.1 and Aksyon TV’s 0.3. The lead means 103,370 more households or 516,850 more TV viewers (based on an estimated average of 5 viewers per TV household) prefer GMA News TV over ANC; and 95,884 more households or 479,420 more TV viewers over Aksyon TV.

The Kapuso news and public affairs channel also topped Urban Luzon with 3.4 share points compared to ANC’s 0.1 and Aksyon TV’s 0.4. The figures translate to 94,619 more households or 473,095 more TV viewers for GMA News TV over ANC; and 85,951 more households or 429,755 more TV viewers choosing GMA News TV over Aksyon TV. In Mega Manila, GMA News TV’s 3.8 share points is clearly ahead of ANC’s 0.1 and Aksyon TV’s 0.5. The margin means 81,336 more households or 406,680 more TV viewers tune in to GMA News TV over ANC; and 72,800 more households or 364,000 more TV viewers choose GMA News TV over Aksyon TV.

Total day (6am-12mn) household audience share data from Aug. 1 to 25 (Aug. 21 to 25 based on overnight data), show GMA-7 keeping the no. 1 spot nationwide with 35 share points compared to ABS-CBN’s 31.2, which means 140,653 more households or 703,265 more TV viewers choosing the Kapuso Network over ABS.

For the same period, GMA News TV also remained firmly at no. 1 nationwide among news channels with 2.8 share points compared to 0.1 for ANC and 0.3 for Aksyon TV. GMA News TV’s lead translates to 102,984 more households or 514,920 more TV viewers choosing GMA News TV over ANC; and 93,631 more households or 468,155 more TV viewers tuning in to the Kapuso news and public affairs channel over Aksyon TV.

The first ever and only news and public affairs channel on Philippine VHF free TV, GMA News TV Channel 11 is powered by the only broadcast news organization in the Philippines that has won the prestigious Peabody Award and is bannered by the most respected names in broadcast journalism.

The station’s flagship primetime newscast, STATE OF THE NATION WITH JESSICA SOHO, is anchored by Peabody Award winner Jessica Soho who was recently honored by Reader’s Digest Asia with the “Most Trusted Television News Presenter Award.” The newscast is becoming known for its exclusives such as the one-on-one interview with President Noynoy Aquino after he delivered his State of the Nation address.

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARIES, hosted by Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) Executive Director Malou Mangahas – with Sheila Coronel of Columbia University, Marites Vitug of Newsbreak and Ed Lingao of PCIJ as advisers – tackles the most compelling and relevant topics of the times including the much talked about Freedom of Information bill. Other GNTV programs include morning newscast NEWS TO GO, anchored by GMA News Online Editor Howie Severino and Kara David, another Peabody winner and QUICK RESPONSE TEAM, GMA News TV’s unique on-ground newscast, anchored by award-winning reporter Jiggy Manicad.

“We are proud that GMA News TV, after only five months on the air, has truly stepped up to the challenge and has become a ratings leader,” says GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon. “We are doubly proud because the channel delivered and continues to deliver in terms of worthwhile content – credible and relevant news and information that enrich the lives of our viewers, help them become more socially aware, and provide them with the knowledge that may perhaps change their lives – and that of their families and communities – for the better. The double ratings victory for GMA-7 and GMA News TV inspires us to continue to work towards making a difference through quality programs and fair, balanced, responsible reporting.