GMA to sell telenovelas in new Asian marts

GMA Network Inc., through subsidiary GMA Worldwide Inc., is looking to sell its television soap operas or telenovelas to new markets in Asia as part of efforts to further boost profitability and widen the company’s presence in the global arena.

An official of GMA said the company is currently in talks with a Singaporean firm for the entry of GMA’s locally-produced soap operas in China. GMA is also holding negotiations with a Malaysian company for the syndication of the top-rating telenovela Mulawin in Cambodia.

Last year, GMA sold its locally-produced programs in Malaysia and the Middle East. The series were dubbed in Bahasa. One drama series Kahit Kailan, will be aired this May over TV3, one of the major free-TV stations in Malaysia.

The entry of Korean, Chinese and Mexican series in local television has opened the door for the network to counter-export its series in the global market.

GMA earlier signed a syndication deal with Nora Eastern Corp. for the satellite broadcast of the network’s locally-produced shows in the Middle East.

The company recently launched its international operations in Japan and Guam last month via direct-to-home (DTH) satellite. The network’s locally-produced shows can now be seen through GMA Pinoy TV, the platform for most of GMA’s most popular news and public affairs and general entertainment programs.

GMA said plans are under way to offer its programs in North America and Australia where an estimated 30,000 Filipino households are considered potential subscribers.

GMA has spent about $4 million to upgrade its facilities in preparation for its international channel operations.

The network is now debt-free after it fully settled a P1.9-billion five-year loan using internally-generated funds. It paid more than P543 million in principal and interest last Feb. 28.

The loan, drawn in 2000, was used by GMA to upgrade its facilities and infrastructure and improve its production capabilities.

GMA chairman president and chief executive officer Felipe Gozon earlier said the company does not need to go public at this time because it has enough financial resources to sustain its expansion projects.

For this year, GMA has earmarked P600 million for its capital expenditures, excluding requirements for the international channel and Channel 11.

Citynet, a subsidiary of GMA, earlier entered into a co-production and blocktime agreement with Zoe Broadcasting Network which owns Channel 11. This would provide GMA with a new platform to showcase more innovative shows.

GMA plans to build two state-of-the art studios within its compound that will house more programs including huge variety shows.