GMA Network ready to meet challenges in 2013 — CEO Gozon

Listed GMA Network Inc. is ready to face challenges in the broadcast industry in 2013, posting better than expected growth amid the challenges in 2012.

GMA chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon said during the annual stockholders' meeting on Wednesday the company is "more than prepared to meet the challenges in broadcast." "2012 was a challenging year for us but your company was able to achieve success... in 2013; continuous expanding and adding revenue sources is astutely pursued," Gozon said. He noted that with a growing fragmented users, GMA is undertaking measures to ride with the changes. "For broadcast companies to survive and thrive in the future, they may have to evolve along three dimensions: one, broadening the reach to new media channels and formats; two, expanding the relationship with customers through personalized services; and three, prolonging the content lifecycle by creating new products. Your network has started to explore all of these," Gozon said. In 2012, GMA Network posted gross revenues of P13.93 billion, while net income was P1.617 billion, Gozon added. Consolidated revenues increased by 14 percent from subsidiaries Dignify Inc., GMA Records, GMA Films, GMA Worldwide, and Alta Productions. The network also brought to the small screen a wide array of programs, rose to the challenges of a multi-screen environment, and expanded its reach locally and internationally. From mid-2012 to early 2013, GMA Network expanded its reach by inaugurating three originating stations in Ilocos Sur, Naga and Cagayan de Oro. GMA News TV remained the top news and public affairs channel in the country while DzBB and DWLS remained in the No. 2 spot in their respective categories. In terms of ratings, Gozon said GMA led in NUTAM TV ratings at 34.4 percent—ahead by 10.8 percent in Urban Luzon and 13.4 percent in Mega Manila, versus competitor ABS-CBN—based on an AGB Nielsen survey. — VS, GMA News