Channel V loses GMA distribution in the Philippines

<p>MANILA: Channel V has lost the majority of its Philippine </p><p>distribution after Philippines Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) pulled the </p><p>plug on the music broadcaster. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Channel V has since 1999 been broadcasting via UHF Channel 27, which is </p><p>owned by GMA Network, the country's second-largest terrestrial </p><p>station. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, the deal turned sour in February when PLDT purchased a </p><p>controlling stake in GMA, which made Channel V superflous because PLDT </p><p>also owned another terrestrial network, the Nation Broadcasting </p><p>Corporations, which has a deal with rival regional music network, MTV </p><p>Networks Asia. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>As a result, Channel V's potential reach has plummeted from around 2.3 </p><p>million households to just 300,000 homes as it now only has distribution </p><p>through cable networks. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>While the move has strengthened MTV's play, Channel V has moved to try </p><p>to step up penetration through pay-cable TV channels. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Talks with PLDT on a new arrangement fell through because we felt that </p><p>to continue would not make financial sense," a source said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We're now going to a situation where every single viewer is paying to </p><p>watch Channel V, and our interim measure is to significantly boost our </p><p>viewership through cable," the source added. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>