GMA Network to spend P75M on expanding presence in Mindanao

GMA Network, Inc. will spend at least P75 million to expand the reach of GMA Northern Mindanao, its newly launched originating station in Cagayan de Oro, to beef up its presence in the regions.

GMA Northern Mindanao is the third originating station launched by the network in less than a year, after GMA Ilocos in June 2012 and GMA Bicol two months later.

The amount will pay for a state-of-the-art studio, technical operation center, satellite multi-link microwave system and electronic news gathering equipment for the new station.

The station's expansion efforts will cover CDO, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Occidental, Camiguin, parts of Southern Bohol, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Compostella Valley, North and South Catabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte and Sur, Surigao del Norte and Sur, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte.

Last month, GMA completed the conglomeration of the TV relay facilities of its local channels TV-5 Ozamiz, TV-4 Dipolog and TV-3 Pagadian with the Cagayan De Oro originating station to allow the rebroadcast of the Northern Mindanao programs to the areas that are presently reached by these relay stations.

The upgrade resulted in a combined reach of 1.4 million TV households for the station, the second widest coverage by a GMA station next to Mega Manila.

GMA Network chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon said that the company is also exploring the possibility of building another TV relay facility to expand GMA Northern Mindanao's reach. “This also forms part of our on-going preparations for the 2013 election coverage, which is targeted to be the biggest, widest, and most comprehensive election coverage undertaken by the network,” he said.

GMA Northern Mindanao officially opened on January 23. — BM, GMA News