GMA sees strong market reception to mobile DTT

MANILA, Philippines — GMA Network Inc. expects strong appetite for the new mobile digital terrestrial television (DTT) receiver it will launch on Sunday despite challenges, the ongoing pandemic may pose.

GMA New Media Inc. president and COO Dennis Caharian said in a virtual briefing the company aims to sell as many GMA Now units as possible, with an initial target of 500,000 to one million in its first year.

GMA Now is a plug-and-play dongle that allows users to watch TV on the go for free, with the addition of exclusive interactive features.

“It really depends on a lot of things. Hopefully you understand also that people are being told to stay indoors. While we’re available online, it’s also a question of less people making purchases,” Caharian said.

“It doesn’t help also that a significant portion of our target market is the younger set, the very age being asked to actually stay at home. But definitely, we are confident that with the amount of smartphones out there, the propagation of this product will be encouraging,” he said.

GMA Now will be available on Android smartphones, but officials said its manufacturer is now on the prototyping stage of a version that could cater to iOS devices.

The product is also set to be available soon for iPhone users.

Priced at P649, GMA Now enables Android smartphones to receive clear and live digital TV broadcast of free-to-air channels available in an area.

Its service coverage currently includes portions of Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Baguio City, Pangasinan, Batangas, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and Cagayan de Oro.