GMA Network and PLDT-Smart ink partnership to revolutionize TV viewing experience in the Philippines | GMANetwork.com - Corporate - Articles

Two of the biggest companies in the Philippines, GMA Network and PLDT-Smart, enters a groundbreaking partnership that will revolutionize TV viewing in the Philippines.

GMA Network and PLDT-Smart ink partnership to revolutionize TV viewing experience in the Philippines

By AEDRIANNE ACAR

Two of the biggest companies in the Philippines, GMA Network and PLDT-Smart, inked a contract this Wednesday afternoon, January 9, for the groundbreaking partnership that will revolutionize TV viewing in the Philippines.

IN PHOTOS: GMA-7 and PLDT-Smart partnership kick-off

GMA Network and PLDT-SMART
GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon (left) and PLDT-Smart Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan


READ: GMA Network, PLDT-Smart partner for game-changing digital TV innovation

GMA-7, the leading television network offering superior content for the past 69 years to Filipinos across the globe, and top telecommunications company PLDT-Smart will join forces for this ambitious project.

The top executives from both companies attended the partnership kick-off held at Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Present during the event were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, and Executive Committee Vice Chairman Joel G. Jimenez

Also in attendance were GMA New Media, Inc.'s President and COO Judd Gallares and Senior Vice President and General Manager Dennis Augusto Caharian.

PLDT-Smart was represented by its Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan, SVP and Head of Consumer Business-Market Development Oscar Enrico A. Reyes, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer Ernesto R. Alberto, PLDT SVP Enterprise Business Jovy Hernandez, Consumer Marketing Head Andrew L. Santos, M.A. Ali, Consumer Product and CVM Head, and SMART Communications Chief Financial Officer Chaye Revilla.

During the opening remarks Atty. Gozon said that this partnership will usher in the full implementation of GMA-7’s digitization project. He said, “For GMA we have to recognize that for us to maintain our position as the leading, I will repeat, leading broadcast station in the country, we must evolve in accordance with the shifting habits and preferences of our audience.

“The agreement we are signing this afternoon with PLDT-Smart is significant for GMA because it marks the start of the full implementation of our digitization project.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Pangilinan expressed his utmost gratitude to Chairman Gozon for trusting PLDT-Smart for this game-changing project.

“We thank you Chairman Gozon for the trust and we are quite eager to start working on this project and of course making it successful both for GMA and PLDT.”

Chairman Gozon also explained during his interview with 24 Oras that the inputs of PLDT-Smart is essential in the network’s digitization efforts.

“Well ito ‘yung ating inaantay para maumpisahan natin ‘yung full digitization ng ating operation. Dahil kailangan natin ang PLDT-Smart dun sa mga inputs nila sa ating mga pinaplano.

“Very exciting because as you know everybody is going digital now 'pag hindi ka nag-digital para kang walang in-operate.”

Atty. Pangilinan also added that the quality content provided by GMA Network will also be good for millions of their subscribers.

“For PLDT-Smart the partnership opens up new business for content in the digital format. You know PLDT is quite good in terms of the networks and connectivity but we don’t have the kind of content that GMA does, particularly respectable content, star quality. I think it would be good for our subscriber,” he said.

The partnership kick-off was hosted by Saksi anchor Pia Arcangel and PLDT-Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon Isberto.