GMA Network launches int'l channels in more areas in North America, Middle East

CEBU, Philippines - Just by the first half of 2012, GMA Network, Inc. widened its global reach with the launching of its international channels namely GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International thru key channel carriers in the regions of North America and the Middle East.

In February, GMA News TV International - the international counterpart of the country's number one news channel, GMA News TV - was launched in the Middle East via Etisalat. GMA News TV International, first seen overseas in the third quarter of 2011, is now offered in more places with high concentration of global Pinoys.

GMA Pinoy TV - the flagship international channel of GMA Network - also further strengthened its presence in North America in March via Shaw Cablesystems G.P. Shaw is one of the largest cable television providers in Canada.

With these launches, GMA Pinoy TV subscribers now total 306,000, or over two million viewers worldwide.

GMA Life TV - the second international channel of GMA Network known for its lifestyle programs with Pinoy flavor - is also now seen via Bell TV. The channel was included in Bell TV's lineup just last June 21, and is expected to increase its worldwide viewership of one million as new subscribers are added to its current roster reaching up to 118,000.

Joseph T. Francia, Vice President and Head of Operations for GMA International, says that the launches are part of the Network's continuous efforts to bring more and more Filipinos abroad closer to home. "We at GMA International are driven by our desire to bring the best in entertainment and news programs from the Philippines to more of our kababayans all over the globe. By extending to them the Kapuso brand of international television programming, we are certain that they will definitely feel closer to home, and are grateful to our channel carriers for partnering with us in this endeavor."

By September, GMA International aims to make GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International available in Malaysia via ABN, and GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International in Canada via Telus.