Broadcast giant GMA Network continues to expand its presence in the digital space to grow its online audiences and adapt to TV viewers' viewing habits.
During the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting, GMA Network President and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. said "We continued to expand our presence in the digital space, more solidly establishing our relevance to the growing online audiences, particularly in the key social media platforms.”
“Through all our content-producing teams within the Network and its subsidiaries, we’ve expanded our content offerings, ramped up the volume of exclusive digital content, and implemented specific strategies to enhance audience growth while improving engagement and audience diversity," he added.
GMA Network’s digital online ad revenue, inclusive of its websites, grew 72 percent year-on-year as its official online channels on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok had 45.2 billion video views in 2023, a 38 percent increase from 2022.
The firm also reported a substantial uptick in subscribers and followers across its official social media platforms, reaching a combined total of 345.6 million at the end of 2023, a 17 percent increase from the preceding year.
In line with the evolving landscape of media consumption, GMA Network launched the Kapuso Stream in 2023. The platform allows Kapuso audiences to livestream the Network's programs in high definition across multiple internet-enabled devices, complementing its pervasive terrestrial TV reach and coverage.
The GMA Mobile App also saw a notable surge in downloads. By the end of 2023, it had accumulated 3.86 million downloads, a 17 percent increase from 2022's 3.28 million.
As for GMA’s international linear channel subscription business, several of its traditional carrier agreements are scheduled for renewal in the first semester of 2024. New agreements with notable IP-based subscription services are also in the pipeline.
GMA Network also continued to invest in complementary technologies. To enhance viewer experience, it launched the Standard Definition Full Height Anamorphic (SD-FHA) broadcast solution that brings a more immersive viewing experience in standard definition, regardless of the TV used.
All GMA Regional TV originating stations were also upgraded with full end-to-end Digital SD and HD capability.
In view of the rapid advancements in A.I. technology, the Network’s Post Production team has adopted an innovative, A.I.-driven video-image enhancement solution for select content. Further integration of A.I. in its operations is expected in 2024.
Meanwhile, GMA Pictures has five productions lined up for release in 2024 and early 2025. Co-productions of four other films are also underway for 2024.