GMA Network is ready for digital broadcasting – GMA's Gozon

GMA Network Inc. is ready to take in the Japanese standard in digital television once government issues the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on migrating from analog TV, its top official said Wednesday.

 

"We have long been preparing for this eventuality... We are ready for the digitization of broadcast media," chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon said during the company's annual stockholders' meeting in Quezon City.

 

"We are in the process of exploring business models to maximize both the technological and economic potentials of digitization of our broadcasting services," he added.

 

In November 2013, Malacañang announced the Philippines will adopt the Japanese ISDB-T (Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial) digital television standard when it migrates from analog to digital terrestrial television in 2015.

 

President Benigno Aquino III first mentioned his inclination to adopt ISDB-T during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Brunei last month.

 

"Our stockholders can be confident that your network will not lag behind these technological developments as we continue to build our brand with strong values, principles and purpose," Gozon said.

 

Asked how soon the company could migrate to digital TV, the GMA Network chief said, "You have to be ready when it comes," referring to the IRR for the shift toward ISDB-T from analog.

 

But the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) has yet to issue the IRR, Gozon said.

 

"Hanggang ngayon wala pang IRR ang NTC. Ang ginawa lang nila is to decide na Japanese standard, but that's a big step. [By the time IRR is out], we are going to be ready," he told reporters after the stockholders' meeting.

 

"Even without details [of the IRR], we are already doing our thing. In fact lahat ng cameras, studio... digital na. Lahat ng pwedeng digital, dinigitize na namin," he added.

 

However, the issue broadcast companies is facing is how to profit from digital TV migration.

 

"Ang hindi kami ready ay kung anong business model [ang gagamitin]. Diyan nagkakatalo... How do you make money out of this digitization," Gozon said.

 

Under the digital TV migration, consumers would have to shell out $10-11 or P437.28 to P481 to own a set-top box.

 

But as the digital TV adoption is just around the corner, Gozon said the network will stick to broadcast media instead of diversifying the business.

 

"At the moment, kailangan related sa broadcasting. We are building our capability. Mahirap pumasok [sa ibang business] tapos lugi ka lang," he said.

 

During the meeting, Gozon said the challenge is how content is delivered across different platforms.

 

"The focus now is serving the diverse needs of our audiences by providing products and services that are tailor-fit to their unique lifestyles and wants," he said.

 

"Indeed, it is tough to synergize diversity with uniqueness but that is what the broadcast landscape requires us to do now," he added.

 

Gozon said GMA will focus on developing programs for both local and international viewers and expanding signal and reach in the country and abroad. 

 

GMA News Online is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMA New Media Inc., the new media arm of GMA Network Inc. – VS, GMA News