GMA Network (Greater Manila Area Radio and Television Arts) is one of the two leading television networks in the Philippines. It is a network of 46 VHF stations. It can also be heard on the airwaves through 26 radio stations throughout the country, including dzBB-AM and dWLS-FM in Manila; and dySS-AM and dyRT-FM in Cebu.
"Kapuso Mo, Anumang Kulay ng Buhay" (One in Heart, Regardless of the Colors of Life), GMA delights its viewers with rib-tickling comedies, heartwarming dramas, action-packed animated series, value-laden educational and feel good true story programs, and comprehensive, balanced, and credible news and public affairs reports. By constantly innovating its programs, GMA has set trends in the broadcast industry -- viewers can participate in polls, interact with other viewers on-air, and send feedback through text messaging in several GMA programs.
History
American war correspondent Robert Stewart tinkered sent his first radio transmission through AM airwaves dzbb back in 1950. Kwentong Kutsero, the precursor of today's political satires, also rose to popularity, as did the amateur show Tawag ng Tanghalan. The station distinguished itself as well for being the first to use the telephone for live on-the-spot interviews.
The Stewarts started RBS Channel 7 on October 29, 1961.
For five years, RBS tottered on the brink of bankruptcy. But help was just around the corner. “Dancetime with Chito” pulled in audience and advertisers. On the station's seventh year, a good friend from the United States who was selling canned shows gave him some on the cheap. Combat, Mission Impossible, 77 Sunset Strip, The Untouchables and Ben Casey define TV viewing in the Philippines in the 1960s.
The 1970s the triumvirate of Gilberto M. Duavit, Menardo R. Jimenez and Felipe L. Gozon, reworked the station's poor image as a home for re-runs and kiddie shows. One major change was the shift from Republic Broadcasting System to GMA-Radio Television Arts.
The network converted the country's viewers into one huge Filipino household. They tuned in regularly to foreign hits like Charlie's Angels, Little House on the Prairie, Starsky and Hutch, Eight is Enough, Chips and Three's Company. The station ID said it all: "Where You Belong".
This period marked the station's winning streak on the local scene. In the international scene, GMA bested other contenders in the New York Festivals. GMA had proven that local shows didn't have to be run-of-the-mill to win over the public.
Trailblazing came about in the form clustering programs. Among them was Worry-Free Kid-TV, a series of child-friendly programs attuned to Filipino values and sensibilities. It was also about turning info-TV traditionally confined to government stations into entrepreneurial shows like Negosiyete and the agricultural show Agrisiyete.
GMA ventured into media-related businesses, among them RGMA, a nationwide satellite of radio stations; GMA Films, a film production company; GMA Worldwide, its international marketing arm; Alta Productions, a multimedia company involved in pre- and post-production; and Infiniti Music, its music recording arm now known as GMA Records.
The station likewise fleshed out its motto of "In the Service of Man, For the Glory of God," through the GMA Foundation (which, in 2002, became GMA Kapuso Foundation). The Foundation reached out to underprivileged children, their families and other communities in need.
The Kapuso Network
On its 52th year, GMA Channel 7 launches its new corporate equity "Kapuso mo, anumang kulay ng buhay" (One in Heart, Regardless of the Colors of Life). Under its Kapuso campaign, GMA made drastic changes in its programming, making it fresh and interesting for the viewing public.
ABS-CBN Channel 2, GMA's biggest rival in network ratings, is the perennial over-all Number One station until 2004, when GMA dislodged ABS-CBN in the Number One Spot. Currently, GMA Channel 7 is in its expansion project throughout the country, revival of GMA Films, and setting up of an international channel dubbed "GMA Pinoy TV".
See also
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