GMA Network facts for kids
Logo used since October 27, 2002
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| Type |
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|---|---|
| Country | Philippines |
| Affiliates | List of GMA Network stations |
| Headquarters | GMA Network Center, EDSA corner Timog Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Filipino (main) English (secondary) |
| Picture format | 16:9 480i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | GMA Network Inc. |
| Key people | |
| Sister channels |
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| History | |
| Founded | March 1, 1950 |
| Launched |
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| Founder | Robert "Uncle Bob" Stewart |
| Former names |
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| Links | |
| Webcast | Live streaming (Philippine users only) |
GMA Network is a big television network in the Philippines. It's also known as GMA or the Kapuso Network. The word "Kapuso" comes from the heart-shaped part of their logo. GMA Network started as "Republic Broadcasting System" (RBS). Its main office is in Quezon City, and it has many stations all over the country.
GMA's first TV broadcast was on October 29, 1961. This was almost ten years after its radio station, DZBB, started. GMA Network was also the first TV network in the Philippines to broadcast in a wide-screen format. Today, GMA's main TV station is DZBB-TV (GMA-7 Manila). It broadcasts on Channel 7 for older TVs and Channel 15 for newer digital TVs. People often call it "Channel 7" or "siete" (Spanish for "seven"). GMA also has channels like GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV for Filipinos living outside the Philippines.
Contents
History of GMA Network
Starting in the 1950s and 1960s
GMA Network began with a radio station called DZBB. It started broadcasting on March 1, 1950. An American reporter named Robert "Uncle Bob" Stewart owned it. In 1961, Stewart started RBS TV Channel 7, which was the fourth TV station in the Philippines. At first, RBS mostly showed foreign programs. Later, it started making its own shows for Filipino viewers. Some early shows were Uncle Bob's Lucky Seven Club for kids and News at Seven. In 1963, RBS opened its first provincial TV station in Cebu.
Changes in the 1970s
In 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law. This meant he had special powers and closed many media companies, including RBS. RBS was allowed to broadcast again later, but with many rules. Because of these rules and financial problems, Robert Stewart had to sell most of his company. In 1974, three Filipinos – Gilberto Duavit Sr., Menardo Jimenez, and Felipe Gozon – took over. The station then changed its name to GMA Radio-Television Arts. GMA stood for "Greater Manila Area" at that time, which was its main broadcast area. After the new owners took over, GMA started broadcasting in color.
Growth in the 1980s
During martial law, GMA was the only local network to broadcast the funeral of Senator Ninoy Aquino in 1983. In 1984, the daughter of Ferdinand Marcos tried to take over GMA, but the network leaders stopped it. GMA also played a big part in the events leading up to the People Power Revolution in 1986. They were the first to interview Corazon Aquino when she said she wanted to run for president. They also reported when Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile left the Marcos government. After the revolution, other TV stations that were closed, like ABS-CBN, reopened. In 1987, GMA was the first VHF TV network in the Philippines to broadcast in full stereo sound. In 1988, they built the Tower of Power in Quezon City, which was the tallest man-made structure in the country.
Expansion in the 1990s
In 1992, the Philippine Congress allowed GMA to operate for another 25 years. GMA then aimed to reach viewers worldwide. Its programs were seen across the Philippines and in other parts of Southeast Asia. They also started airing in many American cities. GMA was the official broadcaster for the 1995 World Youth Day when Pope John Paul II visited. Popular TV shows like Eat Bulaga! and Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! also started airing on GMA. The network also launched a new channel called Citynet 27 and new shows like Bubble Gang and Saksi.
In 1994, GMA started its own film company, Cinemax Studios, which later became GMA Pictures. In 1998, they produced José Rizal, a movie about a national hero. It was the most expensive Filipino film at the time and won many awards. In 1996, GMA officially changed its company name to GMA Network Inc., and the acronym 'GMA' now meant Global Media Arts. In 1999, GMA was the first Philippine broadcaster to win a Peabody Award for its investigative reporting.
The 2000s and New Identity
In 2000, Felipe Gozon became the President and CEO of GMA Network. On October 27, 2002, GMA Network showed its new logo and slogan during the show SOP. This is the heart-shaped logo known as "Kapuso" that you see today. In 2003, Saksi won a Gold Medal at the New York Television Festival, which was a first for a Filipino news program. In 2004, GMA launched popular shows like 24 Oras (a newscast), Mulawin (a fantasy series), and Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (a magazine show).
In 2005, GMA's subsidiary Citynet partnered with ZOE Broadcasting Network. This led to the creation of QTV, which later became GMA News TV, and is now known as GTV. In 2006, GMA's public affairs program Debate with Mare at Pare won a bronze medal at the New York Television Festival. GMA also received praise for its coverage of the Wowowee stampede. In April 2006, GMA founder Robert Stewart passed away. GMA also supported and documented Filipino climber Romi Garduce's successful climb of Mount Everest. The network started making local versions of popular foreign shows, like Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition and the telenovela Marimar. In 2008 and 2009, GMA produced many new shows, including adaptations of Filipino comics like Dyesebel and Darna. Their evening newscast 24 Oras won two awards at the New York Television Festival.
The 2010s and Digital Shift
In the early 2010s, GMA Network launched many new shows, including The Last Prince, Pepito Manaloto, and Endless Love. Their long-running shows SiS and SOP were replaced by Diz Iz It! and Party Pilipinas. In 2011, they released more dramas like Nita Negrita and the historical drama Amaya.
In 2012, GMA Network signed a deal with Fox International Channels. This allowed GMA's shows and movies, like Encantadia and José Rizal, to be shown on FOX cable channels. Also in 2012, GMA Films' movie The Road was shown in theaters across North America and Canada, which was a first for a Filipino film.
In 2014, GMA Network was in talks to sell some shares to San Miguel Corporation president Ramon S. Ang, but the deal did not go through. In the same year, GMA won another Peabody Award for its coverage of Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Supertyphoon Yolanda). In 2015, GMA made some changes to its regional TV stations to improve operations.
In 2016, GMA Network launched more new shows, including Wish I May, Dear Uge, and a new version of Encantadia. On April 21, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law that renewed GMA Network's license to operate for another 25 years. On March 9, 2018, GMA Network launched its new slogan, "Buong Puso Para Sa Kapuso" (meaning "Wholehearted for the One in Heart"). In August 2018, GMA's regional stations in Iloilo and Bacolod were upgraded. On December 14, 2018, GMA Network's founding chairman, Atty. Gilberto M. Duavit Sr., passed away. In February 2019, the network announced it would invest ₱1 billion for the second phase of its digital TV project.
Recent Years: The 2020s
On January 1, 2020, GMA Network began celebrating its 70th anniversary. They revealed new shows like All-Out Sundays and a Filipino version of the Korean drama Descendants of the Sun. On March 14, 2020, GMA Network stopped producing new shows temporarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. They rebroadcast old shows instead. Production of new shows resumed on August 24, 2020.
On April 5, 2022, GMA Network made a deal with ABS-CBN Corporation to show Star Cinema films on GMA channels. On November 11, 2022, GMA Network worked with ABS-CBN, Dreamscape, and Viu to create a drama series called Unbreak My Heart, which aired from May to November 2023.
On February 27, 2023, GMA Network, along with its other channels like GTV, started broadcasting in anamorphic widescreen (16:9) format. This was a big change after more than 61 years of using the standard-definition (4:3) format. On December 9, 2023, Atty. Felipe L. Gozon retired as CEO of GMA Network Inc. Gilberto Duavit Jr. took over as CEO, while Gozon remained as the Chairman and an Adviser. On June 28, 2024, GMA Network launched a new slogan, "Isa sa Puso ng Pilipino" (meaning "One of the Heart of Filipino").
In January 2025, Weng dela Peña became the new voiceover for GMA Network, replacing Al Torres. A study also showed that GMA's viewing share was very high, raising some questions about its dominance in Philippine television.
Digital Television Technology
In February 2013, GMA Network started testing ISDB-T International, which is a standard for digital television. In October 2013, the government decided that ISDB-T would be the official standard for digital TV in the Philippines. In May 2015, GMA Network announced it would spend money to roll out its digital TV service. They planned to make special devices called dongles for people to watch digital TV. A study in May 2015 showed that GMA had good digital TV signals in many areas of Metro Manila.
Since September 2013, some of GMA's shows have been made in high-definition (HD) quality. This was to get ready for the switch to digital TV. In December 2016, GMA announced it would spend more money to start its digital TV project, including buying new transmitters. In June 2020, GMA released its own digital TV box called the GMA Affordabox. It costs less than ₱1000 and can play multimedia, record videos, and has an emergency alert feature. In December 2020, they also released GMA Now, a mobile dongle for Android smartphones. It costs ₱649 and has extra features like video on demand and games. On May 15, 2019, GMA Network started its digital test broadcast on UHF Channel 15, which is its permanent digital frequency.
Who Owns GMA Network?
GMA Network is owned by three main families: the Gozon, Duavit, and Jimenez families. The company's shares are held by different groups, including Group Management & Development Inc., FLG Management & Development Corp., M.A. Jimenez Enterprises, GMA Holdings Inc., and Television International Corp. GMA Holdings, Inc. is jointly owned by Felipe L. Gozon, Gilberto Duavit, Jr., and Joel Marcelo Jimenez.
GMA Network's Identity and Slogans
Network Identity Over Time
GMA Network has changed its name and identity several times since it started:
- RBS TV Channel 7 (1961–1974): This was the first name when Robert Stewart launched the TV station.
- GMA Radio-Television Arts (1974–1992): The name changed after new owners took over, focusing on the "Greater Manila Area."
- GMA Rainbow Satellite Network (1992–1995): This name was used when the network launched its satellite to reach more areas.
- GMA Network (1995–2002): The name was simplified to GMA Network.
- GMA Network (Kapuso Network, 2002–present): This is the current name and identity, with the heart-shaped "Kapuso" logo. This change helped GMA connect more with Filipino viewers.
Logos and Slogans
GMA Network has used different logos throughout its history. In the 1970s and 1980s, they used a "Circle 7" logo. In the 1980s, their slogan was "Where You Belong." In 1992, they became the "Rainbow Network" with a rainbow symbol. In 2002, they introduced their current "Kapuso" logo, which is a colorful, stylized heart. This logo is now very well-known in the Philippines.
GMA Network's main secondary slogan is "Kapuso ng Bawat Pilipino" ("One in Heart with Every Filipino"). Another slogan is "Kapuso, Anumang Kulay ng Buhay" ("One in Heart, in Every Colors of Life"). The news and public affairs department uses the slogan "Serbisyong Totoo" ("True Service"), which is one of the longest-running news slogans. In 2018, the network introduced "Buong Puso para sa Kapuso" ("Wholehearted for the One in Heart"). In 2020, for its 70th anniversary, they used "Buong Puso para sa Pilipino" ("Wholehearted for the Filipino"). In 2024, they unveiled a new slogan, "Isa sa Puso ng Pilipino" ("One with the Heart of Filipino").
GMA Network's Programs
GMA Network shows many different types of programs. These include news, public affairs, local dramas, soap operas, anime, variety shows, musical shows, cartoons, children's shows, talk shows, reality programs, sports, and movies. Most of these shows are filmed or broadcast live from their studios in Metro Manila. GMA Network broadcasts for many hours each day. They have prime-time shows in the evenings and news programs like Unang Hirit, 24 Oras, and Saksi. They also air the noontime variety show It's Showtime, which is produced by ABS-CBN Studios.
TV Show Competition
Competition between GMA Network and its rival, ABS-CBN, became strong in 2004. GMA's reality show Extra Challenge and fantasy series Mulawin became very popular. In September 2004, GMA Network became the top-rated network in Mega Manila. In 2005, GMA produced Mars Ravelo's Darna, a show based on a classic Filipino comic character. It had very high ratings, reaching 47.7 percent for its first episode. Other fantasy shows like Encantadia also did very well. GMA also showed local versions of popular Korean TV series like Stairway to Heaven and Full House.
In 2007, GMA Network produced the local version of the Mexican TV series MariMar. Its first episode got a 52.6 percent rating, which was the highest for a soap opera in GMA's history. A survey in 2006 showed that many viewers in Metro Manila found GMA Network more trustworthy than its competitors. GMA Network often leads in ratings in Mega Manila and Luzon, where most TV households are located. In 2011, GMA Network continued to lead in national TV ratings. They had a 33.2 percent audience share, higher than ABS-CBN's 31.8 percent and TV5's 14.9 percent.
Images for kids
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Logo used since October 27, 2002
