GMA Network expands international presence

Television broadcast giant GMA Network Inc. announced Tuesday new partnerships with carriers serving markets in Singapore, the Middle East, and North Africa in line with plans to grow its international footprint.

GMA Network said in a statement the agreements signed with Dubai’s OSN and Singapore’s StarHub this month allowed it to launch new international channels targeting Filipinos living and working abroad.

For OSN, the largest pay-TV network in the Middle East and North Africa, GMA rolled out GMA Pinoy TV,  GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International.

GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV were also both launched in Singapore via StarHub.

GMA’s international channels are now available in 60 countries, including the United States, through partnerships with the biggest carriers in the international broadcast industry. In the latter part of 2015, GMA launched its broadcast services in Europe through LycaTV, covering over 16 European countries.

GMA said OSN subscribers could access the three GMA international channels by upgrading to the “Pinoy Plus Extra” package.  Meanwhile, GMA Pinoy TV and GMA on Demand will be available on StarHub TV and StarHub Go, while GMA Life TV will be available on StarHub TV.

The broadcast network added subscribers of OSN Pinoy Plus Extra and StarHub could also enjoy select Kapuso programs on-the-go through any Internet-enabled device.

Even with inroads in the international space, GMA’s core business is still focused on the domestic market. GMA chair and CEO Felipe Gozon said last month net income in 2015 likely doubled from the P1.01 billion it booked in 2014.

He said the company was expecting better earnings in 2016, which is an election year.