Channel V loses GMA distribution in the Philippines

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

Sign In

Trouble signing in?

Reset Password: Click here

Contact Customer Support at

Customerservice@campaignasia.com