UNLIKE GMA-7, TV5 IS NOT THREATENED BY PTV'S REVIVAL!

MANILA, Philippines - The head of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), which owns the country’s third largest television network, is cool to the proposed bill filed at the Senate seeking to revive the state-owned People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV).

PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said the government-run network needs to earn money to sustain its operations through the proposed law that would allow it to compete with private television companies for advertising and commercial interests.

ePLDT TO INVEST P6 BILLION TO DEVELOP TV5 AND CIGNAL!

MANILA, Philippines - After the failed talks to seal a deal with GMA Network, the second biggest media network in the country, the group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan will be pouring more funds into the third biggest, TV5.

This was confirmed by Napoleon Nazareno, the president of TV5 affiliate and Pangilinan-led Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), to reporters in a Makati City .

AFTER FAILED TALKS WITH PLDT, GMA7 WAITING FOR A BUY OUT OFFER FROM SAN MIGUEL GROUP!

MANILA - (UPDATED 6:59 p.m.) The chairman of GMA Network Inc said any move by San Miguel Corp to invest in the broadcast company will be quick, describing the food-and-beverage conglomerate's president as "anything but torpe."

But San Miguel top honcho Ramon S. Ang has yet to make an offer, let alone send a "dinner" invitation or "love letter," GMA7 chairman Felipe Gozon told reporters.

"Wala maski love letter. Hindi ako iniimbita for dinner. Si Ramon aggressive yan. Ramon Ang is anything but torpe," Gozon said, when asked if the San Miguel executive made a move to acquire the network after GMA7 and the group of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co terminated negotiations.

GMA7 OPPOSES BILL TO ALLOW PTV4 TO SELL AIRTIME!

MANILA - GMA Network Inc is opposing a bill that would allow state-owned People’s Television Network (PTV) to sell airtime and earn advertising revenue.

Felipe L. Gozon, GMA7 chairman, told reporters that Senate Bill No. 3316, or An Act Amending the Charter of the People's Television Network, is "very, very unfair" because unlike private broadcast companies, PTV4 enjoys state subsidy.

CHARO SANTOS-CONCIO APPOINTED AS ABS-CBN'S NEW CEO!

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Corp. on Tuesday announced the appointment of Charo Santos-Concio as the media conglomerate's new chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2013.

The new position will be in addition to Concio's current designation as the company's president and chief content officer, the firm said in a statement.

Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez, who assumed post as chairman and CEO in 1996, will remain as chairman of the company.

Concio was promoted as ABS-CBN President in 2008, after serving as the company's Head for Channel 2 in 2006, Executive Vice President in 1998, Senior Vice President of TV Production in 1996, Vice President of Production Operations in 1991, and Director for Programs in 1989.

WILTIME BIGTIME SUFFERS DROP IN AD AIRTIME MINUTES!

According to a filing by ABC Development Corp, the operator of  TV5,  Wiltime Bigtime, its flagship program that airs during the evening primetime slot of 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., registered a 1-percent decline in ad airtime minutes for the first nine months of 2012, making TV5 the only station among the so-called “Big Three” to suffer a decline in this time slot during the period.

TV5'S NET LOSS SURGED TO P2.8B IN THE 1ST HALF!

MANILA, Philippines—Losses of television network TV5 continued to accelerate as of the first half of 2012 as the country’s third-biggest broadcast firm ramped up spending to be more competitive with industry leaders.

According to official documents filed by its parent, ABC Development Corp., the company lost P1.37 billion at the end of the first quarter and an additional P1.46 billion at the end of the second quarter. All told, TV5’s losses for the first half of 2012 amounted to P2.83 billion, raising the possibility that the network would exceed the P4.1-billion net loss it reported for 2011.

GMA NETWORK TO SPEND P100 MILLION FOR THE 2013 ELECTION COVERAGE!

Gozon said GMA is accelerating its election spending for next year programmed at about P100 million. 

“We have programmed more than P100 million. It is earmarked for next year but we need to be prepared. We need to buy the necessary facilities and equipment,” he said. 

GMA NETWORK EXPECTS TO POST P2.3 B ANNUAL PROFIT IN 2012!

GMA Network Inc. is seen posting a net income of “below P2.8 billion” by year end, its chairman said on Wednesday. 

If achieved, the broadcasting firm will book a higher profit than last year’s P1.715 billion.

“Our profit will be below P2.8 billion, definitely higher than last year because we are doing very well this year,” said GMA Chairman Felipe Gozon in an interview during the TV network’s digital trade launch.