GMA Network Inc. conceded the rating war to ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. and promised to “regain superiority,” especially in Mega Manila.
“In a way we are glad that the ratings of ABS-CBN woke us up, we just have to regain superiority,” GMA Network chairman, president and chief executive Felipe Gozon told reporters late Friday.
GMA Channel 7 and ABS-CBN Channel 2 engaged in a tight race in audience share in May and June, with the Lopez-led TV network grabbing a slight the lead in the national, Mega Manila and Metro Manila ratings.
“We began to recognize that we have to do something, we need to start all over again,” Gozon said, adding that GMA Network was now “on the road to the superiority that we want on them, so we can brag again.”
“We have regained the momentum,” he said, referring to Channel 7’s widening lead in Mega Manila and Luzon ratings in the first two weeks of July.
Meanwhile, Gozon said GMA Network was now ready for the country’s transition to digital TV. He estimated the additional investments for fully switching off from analog TV at less than P500 million.
“The equipment we buy are all digital ready,” he said, adding that GMA Network could switch off in less than two months once ordered by the government.
The National Telecommunications Commission has chosen Japan’s integrated services digital broadcasting technology for the country’s transition from analog to digital TV.
