• GMA News TV to become a digital channel.
• The Kapuso network is also planning to release a DTT device next year. 

GMA Network Incorporated is set to convert GMA News TV into a digital channel by next year.

It started 13 years ago as QTV, which was primarily featured international dramas and lifestyle programs that aimed towards women. It has become a part of the partnership between GMA Network and religious broadcaster, ZOE Broadcasting Network.

On March 18, 2007, QTV introduced a new logo which brands the network simply as Q.

It was discontinued in February 2011 in preparation for the launch of GMA News TV. Its programming now consists of news, public affairs and sports programming produced by GMA News and Public Affairs. Entertainment, lifestyle, cooking shows, talk shows, local and foreign dramas, travel, and foreign animated series were part of the lineup as well.

As soon as the network is turned into a digital channel, it is said that a big part of the news programs, produced by GMA News TV will transfer to online platforms.

As all analog channels will be switched off by 2023, channels are starting to convert to the digital platform, which includes ABS-CBN, GMA Network, UNTV, PTV, TV5, CNN Philippines, and Light Network, among others.

GMA Digital TV Device.

It has been going around that the Kapuso network is planning to release their own Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) device sometime next year. The said DTT is currently under “final testing” and is targeted to be launched at the first quarter of 2019.

• Jay Sonza states his opinion about current journalists in the ‘big 3’ television networks
• Netizens react to his bold statement

Veteran newscaster and talk show host Jay Sonza names reporters who have “no ethics” and “no depth”.

In a Facebook post, the newscaster a handful of journalists whom he considers shallow and disrespectful.

Among these are GMA Network newscasters like Joseph Morong, Kara David, Joel Zobel, and Arnold Clavio; ABS-CBN newscasters like Alvin Elchico, Zen Hernandez, Karen Davila, and one other host at ANC; TV5‘s Ed Lingao, Lourd de Veyra, and one other newscaster.

“SAD NOTE. Karamihan ng mga bagong sibol na mga reporter/anchor sa radyo at telebisyon ngayon ay walang mga modo (walay batasan/ala lang asin), bastos at may pinag-aralang nasabi pero walang breeding at mababaw o walang depth o hindi aral sa mga isyu.

illustrative examples (i.e.): JOSEPH MORONG/kara david/joel zobel/arnold clavio (gma); ALVIN ELCHICO/zen hernandez/KAREN DAVILA at isa pang lady host sa anc (abs-cbn); ed lingao/LOURD DE VERA/isang hindi kilalang news reader na babae (tv5); at marami pang iba”

Netizens react to Sonza’s bold statement.

“Totoo po lahat yan sir Jay
Naaalala ko parati ko pinapanood ang Mel And Jay pero ngayon wala ng kwenta ang mga balita. Kaya i stopped watching news”

“Oy ngayon nyo lang ba nahalata sir jay eh ng umupo si digong d n sila nagla undagaga sa kakahanap ng mali ni digong para headline nila si kara ano pat naging anak sya ni randy david idagdag pa natin si winnie monsod bawal daw ang pasaway pero numero unong pasaway ang matandang lente nya”

“tingin ko dapat may gawin ang station mismo dito. sila ang dapat dumisiplina sa mga empleyado nilang lumalabag sa code of ethics, kung meron pa nga ba sa news media.”

Jay Sonza is currently the station manager of the terrestrial television station UNTV 37.

“Una sa lahat, hindi ito ordinaryong kampanya ng boycott.
I-binoycott po kasi nila ang UNTV na nag-iisang Public Service Channel ng Pilipinas.

Inalis din nila sa kanilang TV hotel programming ang isang istasyong nagkakawanggawa at sampung taon nang kumakalinga sa mga dukha, naaapi at itinatakwil ng lipunan.

Sa ginawa ng Sofitel, hindi ba malinaw na pangmamata, panghahamak sa isang istasyong bagamat maliit ay may puso sa kapwa tao nito.

Kaya kung naniniwala ka sa panawagang ito ng UNTV CEO and Chairman na si Kuya Daniel Razon, tara na! Ngayon na!

Kaya po sa lahat ng naniniwala sa kampanyang ito, tara na sa Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, at i-post po natin ito. Ibuhos ang ating hinaing at pagbatikos. SOBRA NA! TAMA NA!”

Translation

“First of all, this is not just an ordinary boycott campaign. They (Sofitel) were the first to boycott UNTV, the only Public Service Channel in the Philippines.

They even removed in their TV hotel programming a station that helps the poor and needy for almost ten years.

Because of what Sofitel did, isn’t this a clear indication of underestimation and disdain of small stations that have a heart for the people.

If you believe in this call by UNTV CEO and Chairman Bro Daniel Razon, let’s go! Now!

For those who believe in this campaign, let’s go to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and post this. Let’s spill out our complaint and admonition. It’s enough! Stop this!”

A few hours ago, this was posted by UNTV – Your Public Service Channel Facebook Fan page. Immediately, the post received numerous likes, shares, and different reactions from the social media users.

UNTV claims that Sofitel boycotted them first. According to them, the five-star luxury resort hotel also removed the only station that helps the poor and those that were treated badly by the society. The station is very disappointed by what the hotel did to small channels like them that have a heart for other people.

Through their post, UNTV CEO and Chairman Daniel Razon encourages the public to support the Sofitel boycott campaign by spreading the word and posting the “No To Sofitel” campaign photo and using the hashtags #NotoSofitel #BoycottSofitelPH, SOBRA NA! TAMA NA!

As of writing, the boycott campaign post gained 738 likes, 1,716 shares, and 241 comments

Reference:

• UNTV – Your Public Service ChannelFacebook Post; https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=929182000440547&set=a.272191939472893.87098.187059061319515&type=1