GMA Network eyes P1 billion from international operations

MANILA, Philippines - Broadcast giant GMA Network Inc. is eyeing P1 billion in revenues from its international operations next year on the back of a growing subscriber base and the popularity of its programs.

In a press briefing yesterday, Joseph T. Francia, vice-president and head of operations at GMA International, said the network is optimistic it could hit P1 billion in revenues in 2010 as it continues to expand its operations overseas to tap a much wider clientele. “It would be a milestone if we hit P1 billion which I think we can,” Francia said, adding that revenues are seen to rise between 13 percent and 17 percent.

For this year, the company expects its international channels – GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV – to register gross revenues of P854 million or an increase of 49 percent from the previous year, mainly due to an expanded subscriber base.   

GMA International was the second largest revenue earner and net income contributor of GMA in 2008.  

By yearend, GMA’s international networks are projected to have a combined subscriber base of 341,000. Of the total, 235,000 are GMA Pinoy TV subscribers, representing a 13 percent growth over 2008 figures.

Both international channels are now being seen in the US, Canada, Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Australia, New Zealand,Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and many other countries

GMA Pinoy TV delivers most of GMA’s most popular news and public affairs and general entertainment programs that have made the broadcasting firm a leading TV station in Mega Manila.  

To further widen its reach, GMA will continue to expand operations particularly in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The network is looking at growing its presence in the US with particular focus on New York, Florida and New Jersey as it competes head on with perennial rival ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

“We‘ll give them a good fight in the international arena,” Francia said.

“The outlook for 2010 remains good, driven by the growing interest of more foreign carriers to distribute GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV – either on a bundled or a la carte basis – and by the continuously increasing number of subscribers. The goal is to continue its winning strategy and sustain growth on all key markets across the globe,” GMA said in a statement.