GMA News TV has a content priotization problem

“Oras-oras alam ko.”

That was the main battlecry for GMA Network’s first foray into the news station wars, GMA News TV. On February 28, 2011, the said channel was first launched via ZOE TV on channel 11 — ultimately replacing QTV.

The Kapuso network envisioned the channel as a place for news-hungry audience that wants to know the latest news and developments from all around the world, every hour, on the hour.

At launch, GMA executives have made it clear: it won’t be their version of rivals ANC and then-DZMM TeleRadyo. Instead, it would have a mix of news and public affairs, entertainment, and sporting programs in the lineup.

Initially, it wasn’t much of a problem as non-news related programs only take up off-peak timeslots, and the channel still interrupted regular broadcast quite swiftly when needed. A proof would be its broadcast of the 2011 Sendai Earthquake that ran through much of its afternoon block.

But over the years, the channel has been swinging like a pendulum by either switching to a predominantly news-oriented channel or a generic general entertainment station.

The From The Tube blog has repeatedly raised concerns over the network’s questionable programming decisions in the past few years. Circumstances include the network deliberately snubbing previous State of the Nation Addresses by neither simulcasting, nor airing a complementary coverage; the insistence of airing entertainment programs; and even signing off at night rather than providing a 24 hour service that its rivals offer.

Changes during the COVID-19 crisis

During the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, GNTV proved that they can be worthy of the title as a true-blooded news channel. As a provisional measure, they began simulcasting sister DZBB programs in lieu of all station-produced shows, including newscasts. They also went further by adding simulcasts of GMA flagship newscasts “Saksi” and “24 Oras” and provincial programs care of GMA Regional TV.

But, everything changed for the worst yet again when the government-imposed restrictions were slowly relaxed.

Dubbed foreign dramas and lifestyle programs began filling up the channel’s broadcast schedule, especially on weekends. This was further exacerbated when GMA News TV resumed regular programming last September 21. This time, Dobol B sa News TV was severely cut back to mornings again, with movie blocks and more foreign dramas replacing their former timeblocks in the afternoon. Original GNTV newscasts were even at the verge of being permanently cancelled, if not for employees calling out the management and the alleged reversal of their retrenchment helped bring back those shows.

Now, programs that should’ve been placed on either the mothership or sister digital channel Heart of Asia are still polluting the channel’s airwaves. Asian dramas, movies, and even anime and cartoons, GMA News TV have all of those.

Typhoon Rolly

During the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly, the network was put on the hot seat. The apparent illegitimacy of GMA News TV to be classified as a “news channel” has been called out by many netizens, particularly on Twitter. Many questioned the decision of GNTV to greenlight entertainment shows, rather than suspending regular programming to give way to a special coverage.

https://twitter.com/pattiechoo/status/1322840210736967680?s=19

In the spirit of fair reporting, however, it should be noted that News TV did air Dobol B sa News TV until 9:00 am, short news bulletins throughout the day, and the hook-up of the NDRRMC press conference from PTV.

The buzz surrounding the backlash can be traced from the response that GMA News reporter Tina Panganiban-Perez gave to a tweet by Goyo Larrazabal on Saturday evening. Larrazabal lamented about the gravity of ABS-CBN’s loss of franchise and its usefulness in disseminating information in times of calamity.

Perez later replied to the tweet with a cold shoulder by stating “[w]e have updates.”

The tweet has since gained a thousand of quote retweets and replies, most of which were counterarguments from other users and several rebuttals using the issue at hand.

This negative publicity and questionable programming moves came at a very wrong time. GMA is now the de facto largest network on terrestrial television with the absence of rival ABS-CBN in most markets. News TV could’ve played a much vital role in the continuous stream of information during the typhoon’s onslaught, especially in areas where reliable internet connection and pay TV are near to inaccessible.

If GMA News TV would not immediately fix the issues and/or reformat amid the negative light they’re getting, the Kapuso network should formally consider renaming or closing down the channel. A news channel, after all, does not snub newsworthy events in favor of lame movies and dramas. Instead, it’s always on top of their priority no matter what.