GMA Network Inc. has booked over P7 billion worth of advertisement contracts this year and expects revenues to breach the P13-billion mark registered last year.
“By December of last year, we have already booked over P7 billion worth of ads for this year from 10 big advertisers. This is already more than half of our target revenues for 2011,” GMA Network chairman and chief executive Felipe Gozon told reporters at the sidelines of GMA News TV channel launch late Monday.
“For the first time, we started negotiating [for the following year’s ads] as early as November,” he said.
Ten advertisers with big volume accounts signed up with GMA in December last year, he said. He added that one major advertiser that boycotted the network went back and signed a bigger contract. He did not name the account.
Gozon said the network would again increase its advertising rates in March to make them at par with rival ABS-CBN Corp.
“I don’t want to sell any more ads below Channel 2’s price,” he said. “We are very optimistic with Channel 7. We have booked very good revenue figures for January and for the first few days of February,” he said.
Gozon said that Channel 7 had maintained a small lead in nationwide ratings and a comfortable lead in Mega Manila and Luzon.
GMA Network posted over P2.8 billion in net income last year, up 2 percent year-on-year but short of the company’s initial target of P3 billion. Revenues reached P13 billion in 2010.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
TV cover okayed for MJ's doc trial
Television cameras will be allowed to film the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor next month as long as they do not interfere with proceedings, a judge said on Monday.
Los Angeles Superior Court judge Michael Pastor also moved forward the date of Dr Conrad Murray's trial by four days to March 24, when jury selection will begin. The trial is expected to last about six weeks, lawyers for both sides say.
Murray has pleaded not guilty, and is free on bail. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted. Involuntary manslaughter is defined as unintentional killing without malice, and is a lesser charge than murder.
Pastor said he wanted the "absolute least intrusive placement" of a TV camera in the courtroom and he sought detailed proposals from local news crews. He also blocked cameras from broadcasting jury selection.
Chris Martin very upset over split
Chris Martin has been left heartbroken after his parents decided to end their 30-year marriage and sell the family home, according to reports.
The Coldplay singer’s mother Alison has left the marital home in Devon, west England to rent an apartment in London, while Martin’s father, Anthony, has started a new relationship.
The hitmaker, who is married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow, is said to be even more upset because his parents have put the house where he spent his childhood up for sale.
A source says, “One of the most upsetting aspects of the break-up has been their decision to sell their family home. He was less than one year old when his parents moved in, and the house holds a lot of memories for him.”
“Bulong”, Star Cinema’s horror comedy film, topped Philippine box-office
“Bulong”, Star Cinema’s horror comedy film, topped Philippine box-office last week with a haul of P33.25 million in first 5 days.
Starring Vhong Navarro and Angelica Panganiban, “Bulong” is Star Cinema’s opening salvo for 2011 and the first local mainstream movie to be screened this year after the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Star Cinema’s previous horror films earned higher in their first 5 days of showing. “Cinco” which was shown July last year had an opening gross of P38.59M while the MMFF entry “Dalaw” earned around P50 million. However, the P33.25 million opening weekend gross of “Bulong” is not bad at all.
“Bulong” bested 3 Hollywood movies which also debuted last week: The Rite (#3), Burlesque (#4) and the Warrior’s Way (#9). It was also the grand opening week of “Tangled” after its 3D debut last 2 weeks ago.
Melason, celebrated their first anniversary as a real-life couple
Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco, more popularly known as Melason, celebrated their first anniversary as a real-life couple on Tuesday, February 8.
In a short exclusive interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia after the “Happy Yipee Yehey!” press conference at the Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN the same day, Melai shared some of their anniversary plans for the day.
"Aalis kami ngayon dahil anniversary namin ngayon. Nag absent siya sa ‘Banana Split’ dahil mag-de-date kami. Ako rin after dito [presscon] go na ako, mag-bonding bonding," an excited Melai told Yahoo Southeast Asia.
They also have simple plans for Valentine’s Day but Melai chose not to divulge too many details.
Aside from her colorful love life, Melai also has a flourishing career. She and Jason will star in their new teleserye “Mana Po.” Melai is also part of ABS-CBN's noon time show “Happy Yipee Yehey!” and another Kapamilya program, “I Dare You” with Jericho Rosales and Iya Villana.
With all that's been happening in her life right now, has Melai realized how successful she has become since her “Pinoy Big Brother” days?
"Ni-register ko na talaga yun sa sarili ko dahil kahit hindi pa nag-re-register sinulat ko na talaga yun in ink. Mahalin mo lang at i-love mo lang [ang trabaho] dahil andiyan din naman si Jason inspirasyon mo. So wala namang problema," added Melai.
To give way to her hectic schedule, Melai left “Banana Split.” Melai said she was saddened by her exit from the daily gag because she had grown close to the program's staff and crew.
"Naiyak ako nung umalis ako sa ‘Banana Split’ dahil kailangan na umalis (dahil) marami na (akong shows)," she said.
“Happy Yipee Yehey!” will start to air on February 12 Saturday. The grand pilot episode will take place at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig.
ATTY. FELIPE GOZON TACKLES HIGHER DEMAND FOR NEWS
“Ang tingin namin maraming may gusto ng news talaga.”
This is what GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon said when asked why he thinks there is a need for an all-news channel like GMA News TV.
To explain this, Gozon used TV5's “Willing Willie” and GMA 7's “24 Oras” as an example. “24 Oras” airs during the first hour and half of the Willie Revillame-hosted game show.
“We maintained ‘24 Oras.’ And as you know, ‘24 Oras’ is winning over ‘Willing Willie.’ Eh, news yan. So there are people who prefer to watch the news, yung talagang pinaniniwalaan at may credibility,” he told members of the media during the GMA News TV trade launch at the A. Venue Events Hall on Monday, February 7.
Gozon added, “From the beginning, miske na namigay ng kotse si Willie, talo pa rin. Nagbigay ng house and lot, talo pa rin.”
But more than the demand for news, Gozon said GMA News TV serves “to make a possible contribution to the bottomline” of the network's income and to create a possible international channel.
“Ang basis nyan e we are very strong in news and public affairs. Nagkataong hindi kumikita itong QTV. So this is our effort to convert QTV into something that we think will be a winner and in order to create a new international channel. Ang tingin namin yung mga Filipinos abroad are hungry for more frequent news from the Philippines,” he explained.
More than just news
GMA News TV, however, will be more than just an all-news channel. The revamped free-to-air VHF channel will also feature a number of lifestyle and reality shows, as well as a showbiz-oriented talk show.
For instance, the channel will have a make-over show titled “Fashbook,” hosted by Solenn Heusaff and a reality show titled “The Smiths,” featuring the family of rock legend Joey “Pepe” Smith. Kapuso actress Rhian Ramos, meanwhile, will host “Spotlight: The Showbiz Newscast.”
Other lifestyle shows include Ramon Bautista's “(May) Tamang Balita,” Drew Arellano's “Weekend Getaway,” and Tonipet Gaba's “Pop Talk,” among others.
“There will be public affairs, there will be lifestyle. Ang mawawala dyan yung mga drama. Mga soap, wala na. Channel 7 lang yun,” Gozon explained. Although Q Channel 11 aired lifestyle shows, Gozon said the GMA News TV lifestyle programs will be “more serious.”
The network's main fare, of course, will be their news programs.
Jessica Soho will lead the channel's flagship news telecast, “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.” She will also headline “Brigada,” a modern reiteration of the 90s news magazine show “Brigada Siete.”
Mike Enriquez's dzBB morning radio program will also have a live simulcast on GMA News TV. Renowned documentarist Kara David and GMA News online editor Howie Severino will host the network's morning news show, “News to Go.” Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism's Malou Mangahas, meanwhile, will headline “Investigative Documentaries,” together with Newsbreak's Marites Vitug and PCIJ's Ed Lingao, among others.
This is what GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon said when asked why he thinks there is a need for an all-news channel like GMA News TV.
To explain this, Gozon used TV5's “Willing Willie” and GMA 7's “24 Oras” as an example. “24 Oras” airs during the first hour and half of the Willie Revillame-hosted game show.
“We maintained ‘24 Oras.’ And as you know, ‘24 Oras’ is winning over ‘Willing Willie.’ Eh, news yan. So there are people who prefer to watch the news, yung talagang pinaniniwalaan at may credibility,” he told members of the media during the GMA News TV trade launch at the A. Venue Events Hall on Monday, February 7.
Gozon added, “From the beginning, miske na namigay ng kotse si Willie, talo pa rin. Nagbigay ng house and lot, talo pa rin.”
But more than the demand for news, Gozon said GMA News TV serves “to make a possible contribution to the bottomline” of the network's income and to create a possible international channel.
“Ang basis nyan e we are very strong in news and public affairs. Nagkataong hindi kumikita itong QTV. So this is our effort to convert QTV into something that we think will be a winner and in order to create a new international channel. Ang tingin namin yung mga Filipinos abroad are hungry for more frequent news from the Philippines,” he explained.
More than just news
GMA News TV, however, will be more than just an all-news channel. The revamped free-to-air VHF channel will also feature a number of lifestyle and reality shows, as well as a showbiz-oriented talk show.
For instance, the channel will have a make-over show titled “Fashbook,” hosted by Solenn Heusaff and a reality show titled “The Smiths,” featuring the family of rock legend Joey “Pepe” Smith. Kapuso actress Rhian Ramos, meanwhile, will host “Spotlight: The Showbiz Newscast.”
Other lifestyle shows include Ramon Bautista's “(May) Tamang Balita,” Drew Arellano's “Weekend Getaway,” and Tonipet Gaba's “Pop Talk,” among others.
“There will be public affairs, there will be lifestyle. Ang mawawala dyan yung mga drama. Mga soap, wala na. Channel 7 lang yun,” Gozon explained. Although Q Channel 11 aired lifestyle shows, Gozon said the GMA News TV lifestyle programs will be “more serious.”
The network's main fare, of course, will be their news programs.
Jessica Soho will lead the channel's flagship news telecast, “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.” She will also headline “Brigada,” a modern reiteration of the 90s news magazine show “Brigada Siete.”
Mike Enriquez's dzBB morning radio program will also have a live simulcast on GMA News TV. Renowned documentarist Kara David and GMA News online editor Howie Severino will host the network's morning news show, “News to Go.” Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism's Malou Mangahas, meanwhile, will headline “Investigative Documentaries,” together with Newsbreak's Marites Vitug and PCIJ's Ed Lingao, among others.
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