GMA REGIONAL NEWS CLAIMS LEADERSHIP IN CEBU, DAVAO, ILO-ILO AND DAGUPAN!

Broadcast giant GMA Network Inc.’s expansion in key provinces has started to pay dividends after recent surveys showed the network was gaining ground in key urban centers outside Metro Manila—areas once dominated by rival ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

In a statement, GMA said its news and public affairs programs in Cebu, Dagupan, Davao and Iloilo led ratings for the month of October and the first two weeks of November.

MAGPAKAILAN MAN DEBUT FAILS TO OVERPOWER MMK IN MEGA MANILA!

November 17, Saturday

Morning:

Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko (GMA-7) 1.5%; Pinoy MD: Mga Doktor ng Bayan (GMA-7) 3.2%; Salamat Dok (ABS-CBN) 1.7%; Handy Manny (TV5) 0.8%; Jungle Junction (TV5) 2.2%

The Looney Tunes Show (GMA-7) 4.5%; Kabuhayang Swak Na Swak (ABS-CBN) 2.8%; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV5) 2.8%

GLOBE TO EXTEND TENDER OFFER TO ACQUIRE DEBTS OF ABS-CBN'S SISTER COMPANY!

MANILA, Philippines—Ayala-led Globe Telecom is extending its early tender offer period to buy Bayan Telecommunications obligations from the smaller telco’s creditors, in line with moves for the two firms’ impending merger.

ABS-CBN 9-MONTH PROFIT SURPASSED FULL YEAR TARGET!

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Corp. has upgraded its full-year net income target to P1.6 billion from P1.3 billion, after nine-month earnings breached the previous goal.

"We're looking at a minimum target of P1.6 billion. We already hit our target of P1.3 billion," Ronaldo Valdueza, chief finance officer, said in a briefing on Wednesday.

Profits of the firm already reached P1.55 billion in the first three quarters of the year.

The level is 31% below the P2.24 billion net income recorded in the same period last year but excluding the P825 million one-time gain in 2011, earnings in the current year actually went up by 10%.

So far, revenues have been weak in October until the first week of November, Valdueza said.

LOPEZ: WE ARE NOT SELLING ABS-CBN TO GLOBE!

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Corp. may be talking to Globe Telecom Inc. about forming a partnership but the TV network is not willing to be bought up.

“ABS is not for sale,” ABS-CBN chief financial officer Ronaldo P. Valdueza told Rappler, echoing the message of chairman Gabby Lopez at a stockholders' meeting earlier in the day on November 15.

9-MONTH PROFIT OF ABS-CBN'S PARENT COMPANY JUMPS 76%!

MANILA, Philippines – Earnings of Lopez Holdings Corp. nearly doubled in the first 9 months of 2012 from a year ago, due to a one-time gain from the sale of shares in a utility company and the strong performance of its media unit.

In a statement released by the company on Thursday, November 15, Lopez Holdings stated its net income attributable to equity holders of the parent for the January to September period rose 76% to P6.185 billion from P3.513 million last year.

MASTER CHEF DEBUTS STRONGLY IN MEGA MANILA!

November 12, Monday

Morning:

Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 5%; Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 4.2%; Good Morning Club (TV5) 1.2%; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (TV5) 3.2%

Nay-1-1 (GMA-7) 5.1%; Doraemon Adventures Presents (GMA-7) 6.6%; Kris TV (ABS-CBN) 7%; Fish Hooks (TV5) 4.4%; Phineas and Ferb (TV5) 4.9%

EAT BULAGA REMAINS INFERIOR TO PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH MY HEART IN MEGA MANILA!

Here are the comparative Rating Points of ABS-CBN, TV5, and GMA-7 programs from November 5 to 12, 2012 based on the overnight ratings of AGB Nielsen Phils among Mega Manila households:

November 5, Monday

Morning:

Unang Hirit (GMA-7) 5%; Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 3.9%; Good Morning Club (TV5) 1.3%; Mickey Mouse Club House (TV5) 3%

TV5 CONDUCTS COST CUTTING MEASURES TO TRIM LOSSES!

MANILA, Philippines - A top official of TV5 said they hope that cost-cutting measures this 2012 will bear fruit and allow the country’s third-largest media group to trim its losses.

TV5 president Ray Epinosa said the broadcasting firm has been implementing cost-cutting measures that will hopefully narrow down losses which doubled to P4 billion in 2011 from P2 billion in 2010.

“We’re obviously becoming more cost conscious in the sense that we keep revisiting our cost programming grid to find out the optimal but inexpensive way,” he said in a recent interview.

ATTY. GOZON ADMITS DESIRE TO RE-OPEN MERGER TALKS WITH PLDT!

MANILA - The chairman of GMA Network Inc on Wednesday said he is open to reviving talks for a buyout by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

"It is up to them. But if they want to revive, we are ready to revive.  If tomorrow, MVP comes back and offers a better price, we will entertain that," Felipe Gozon said on the sidelines of the GMA7's third-quarter briefing.

GMA NETWORK'S Q3 NET INCOME INCHED 9%!

Broadcaster GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) reported strong financial results for the third quarter owing to increased advertising sales across its major revenue platforms.

Consolidated gross revenues for the third quarter of 2012 reached P3.822 billion, reflecting a 13-percent growth from P3.384 billion a year earlier, while net income rose 9 percent to P573 million from P525 million.

OBAMA DEFEATS ROMNEY! WINS RE-ELECTION!

President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

With results in from most states, America's first black president has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.

Mr Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a well-funded challenge by Mr Romney.

GLOBE IN TALKS WITH ABS-CBN SISTER COMPANY FOR POSSIBLE BUYOUT!

GLOBE Telecom Inc. on Monday confirmed it met with creditors of debt-ridden Bayan Telecommunications Inc. to discuss how both can effectively compete in the lucrative but competitive telco sector.

“We wish to confirm that Globe has met with some  creditors of Bayan in relation to our ongoing exploratory discussions with Bayan that will enable both companies to become more competitive in the current business environment,” said Globe chief financial officer Albert de Larrazabal in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Monday.