GMA is Asia’s ‘Terrestial Channel of the Year’ Options

[EJI]

GMA is Asia’s ‘Terrestial Channel of the Year’

By ISah V. Red
I don’t know how ABS-CBN feels about the recent feat of rival network GMA. The network was just named Terrestial Channel of the Year at the Asian Television Awards held at the National University of Singapore on Dec. 1.

Not only it was the first time GMA has won the award, but it was also the first time that a Philippine TV channel has won the award.

ABS-CBN, in its 16 years of dominance in local television, had never been accorded this recognition. I wonder why.

Anyway, no less than GMA Network president and CEO Felipe L. Gozon was there to accept the honors.

GMA also won in four other categories and received “high commendations” in six others.

It’s no mean feat to best 14 other countries in the awards, including Japan, India, South Korea, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam. But GMA just did.

From about 1,500 entries received from 129 companies in these countries to vie for awards in 33 categories, 10 of GMA-7’s programs and talents were recognized and given high commendations. Michael V won the Best Comedy Performance by an Actor, while Nonie Buencamino bagged the Best Drama Performance by an Actor for his stint in Magpakailanman: “Till the End of Time.” I-Witness (“Buto’t Balat”) won Best Social Awareness Program, and the Eat...Bulaga! Silver Special won Best Entertainment (On-Off/Annual) Special.

Meanwhile, Reporter’s Notebook (“Backdoor” and “Child Hit Man”), I-Witness (“Missing in Aceh”), Pinoy Abroad (“Pinoy Boxers”), 24 Oras: “Camp Bagong Diwa Siege,” Encantadia, and Lorna Tolentino were also given high commendations. They were also finalists in their respective categories. Ten out of the 11 finalists from the Philippines were from GMA-7.

The numerous international recognitions that GMA-7 continues to receive prove that the Kapuso Network truly is going global. As GMA continues to soar as the no. 1 network in the country, it makes bigger efforts to further its lead in the industry and reach out to more viewers, not only in the country but in other parts of the world as well. With GMA Pinoy TV now well on its way to conquering the globe and with QTV Channel 11 having successfully secured the no. 3 spot in Mega Manila, the Kapuso Network now also ventures into a different territory as it co-produces an Asian drama with Korea.

GMA Films recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea’s IBA Media Co. Ltd., represented by CEO Hwang Young Chul, and Joong Ang Ilbo Co. Ltd. to co-produce a Korean drama series. The companies plan to air the telenovela simultaneously in different parts of Asia, including Korea, Taiwan (GTV), Japan (Fuji TV), and the Philippines (through GMA-7). They hope to implement the plan by the middle of March 2006. In the meantime, location hunting in the country would begin on Dec. 15 and mid-January.

[mrkapawutzis]

GMA Films recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea’s IBA Media Co. Ltd., represented by CEO Hwang Young Chul, and Joong Ang Ilbo Co. Ltd. to co-produce a Korean drama series. The companies plan to air the telenovela simultaneously in different parts of Asia, including Korea, Taiwan (GTV), Japan (Fuji TV), and the Philippines (through GMA-7). They hope to implement the plan by the middle of March 2006. In the meantime, location hunting in the country would begin on Dec. 15 and mid-January.

Good for GMA. But the above quote was the most interesting part of the article (for me at least). When they say "location hunting in the country" I wonder if they're referring to the Philippines or to Korea, it seems to indicate the former.

[cuteangelika]

Go! Kapuso magpakailanman!