GMA Network enters Australia, NZ markets

GMA Network has launched its international TV channels GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV, together with its radio stations DWLS FM and DZBB AM, in Australia and New Zealand through UBI World TV.

Dubbed ‘UBI Pinoy’, the service was officially launched in Sydney on June 25 attended by Philippine diplomats, Filipino-Australian community leaders and leading personalities in Australian and New Zealand media and businesses. The New Zealand launch, on the other hand, was held earlier at the official Philippine Independence Day celebration hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Wellington.

GMA Pinoy TV is the network’s first international channel which airs most of the current top-rating programs from the Philippines. Aside from Australia and New Zealand, it is also available in the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Guam, Saipan, Papua New Guinea, 16 countries in the Middle East, 11 countries in North Africa, 49 countries in Europe, and the British Indian Ocean Territory of Diego Garcia.

At present, GMA Pinoy TV has 175,000 subscribers or about one million viewers on direct-to-home (DTH) cable and IPTV systems worldwide.

Launched just this year, GMA Life TV, on the other hand, is the network’s second international channel. More than just providing mainstream entertainment, GMA Life TV engages viewers with its exciting line-up of heart-warming and innovative programs that feature the Filipinos’ lifestyle and interests. It is now available in Japan, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, 16 countries in the Middle East, 11 countries in North Africa, and 49 countries in Europe.

The international channels are expected to hit the 200,000 subscriber mark by yearend as more subscribers are expected to come from the new territories that have launched GMA’s foreign channels this year, including Hong Kong, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as other areas where the channels are to launch this year.