GMA Network investing over P1B in second phase of digitization project

Media giant GMA Network Inc. said Friday it is investing over P1 billion to complete the second phase of its digitization project.

The second phase of the project encompasses the production, post-production, content management and distribution of GMA and GMA News TV’s programs, the network said in a statement.

This will start commissioning the Digital Terrestrial Transmitters that now provide superior digital TV signal reach, enabling the viewership of Kapuso programs through digital-enabled TV sets and set-top boxes in various areas in the country, including Mega Manila, North Central Luzon, Cebu, and Davao.

The media company is also slated to complete the upgrade of its Electronic Field Production capabilities to further improve its High Definition (HD) image capture to Full 2K/4K HD, elevating GMA Network’s output to true global standards.

In anticipation, the requisite enhancements to the Network’s Media Asset Management and Broadcast Automation Systems have already been completed, the company said.

Post Production is likewise implementing full equipment and software upgrades coupled with increased storage and color grading capabilities to optimally process high-end 2K and 4K HD formats.

GMA’s Field News Gathering capabilities are being similarly upgraded to enable the transmission and delivery of HD-captured remote live events to GMA Network’s Technical Operations Center as they happen.

Parallel to upgrading the media asset management system is the commissioning of a new News Automation System (NAS) designed to provide the country’s most trusted news organization with even greater speed and agility in bringing viewers up-to-date news and information through the network’s eight news programs—Unang Hirit, 24 Oras, 24 Oras Weekend, Saksi, News To Go, Balitanghali, Quick Response Team, and State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

“All these state-of-the-art upgrades are part of GMA Network’s ongoing digitization project to bring world class programming to our viewers here and abroad. We are excited to unveil more innovative offerings that will not only maintain our position as the country’s leading broadcast network but will also revolutionize TV viewing experience in the Philippines,” GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon said. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News