GMA Network is following the route that ABS-CBN has proven to be fruitful.
With the ABS-CBN shutdown and subsequent rejection of their franchise by the 70 Cayetano-led Congressmen, ABS-CBN left with no choice but to find ways to continue broadcasting.
While the company is deprived of the privilege to broadcast on free TV, ABS-CBN still managed to reach their loyal audience through different platforms no one could have ever imagined becoming successful.
Digital Platform.
Following their broadcast shutdown in May, ABS-CBN tapped the digital space and launched the now successful digital platform, Kapamilya Online Live.
Most of its well-loved ABS-CBN programs are now streaming via the platform that made ABS-CBN Entertainment the Number One Youtube Channel in Southeast Asia.
GMA Network on their part followed suit and launched GETS or GMA Entertainment Shows Online.
Just like Kapamilya Online Live, GETS also featured on-demand 24/7 streaming of Kapuso shows. The channel, however, didn’t pick up much like KOL mainly because GMA Network is still airing on free TV.
On-demand Streaming App.
With the success of their digital platform, ABS-CBN did not rest and did re-brand their on-demand streaming app iWant to iWantTFC, where favorite Kapamilya shows are also shown via live-stream. GMA Network saw the opportunity, also decided to launch their GMA Network App.
But the biggest and unprecedented move that ABS-CBN did which GMA Network has followed is the collaboration with other TV Networks to simulcast their programs.
TV simulcast.
In October, ABS-CBN through a block-time deal with Zoe Broadcasting has brought to life A2Z Channel 11, which simulcast ABS-CBN programs from morning till night. Since online streaming and cable viewing still reach a limited audience compared to free TV, ABS-CBN’s simulcast through A2Z helped reach a fairly wider audience.
But since A2Z also has limited stations to reach a much wider audience nationwide, ABS-CBN broke barriers with its much-welcomed collaboration with former rival TV5.
In January, ABS-CBN and TV5 changed the landscape of television when they started to simulcast the airing of ASAP Natin ‘To and FPJ Da King.
With the success of the initial deal, TV5 and ABS-CBN then broaden the tie-up when it also carried ABS-CBN’s primetime teleseryes which started on March 8.
The success of ABS-CBN’s multiple channel broadcast gave GMA Network the lead and started doing the same.
Last Monday, March 15, Kapuso network’s latest teledrama First Yaya made its premier in three channels, GMA Network, GTV, and Heart of Asia. Indeed, it was a success as the pilot episode topped the rating board with a combined rating of 23%.
GMA Network is said to be not stopping with First Yaya as it also planned to simulcast its Sunday musical variety show All Out Sunday (AOS) also on GTV in the coming weeks.
