News all the way
GMA Network chair and CEO Felipe Gozon said the creation of GMA News TV (GNTV), an all-news channel to
Q11 starting Feb. 28, “is our effort to convert loss into profit.”
“This is to transform Q into something that we think will be a winner,” he told writers on Monday night during GNTV launch held at the A Venue Events Hall in Makati City. The plan to reformat of Q11, which is known for its
lifestyle programming, started in July 2010, said Go- zon.
The decision to switch formats, Gozon explained, was spurred by the observation that “Pinoys abroad are hungry for more news from the Philippines. We feel we are very strong in our news and public affairs programs so this where we will concentrate.”
GMA 7 vice president for public affairs Nessa Vandellon now GNTV channel head.
The programs
Anchors of the various programs are the following: Mike Enriquez, “Dobol B Sa News TV,” a simulcast of his morning show on dzBB; Howie Severino and Kara David, “News Go”; Arnold Clavio, “Balita Pilipinas”; Jessica Soho, “State the Nation With Jessica”; Vicky Morales, “Good News”;
Mel Tiangco, “Powerhouse”; Ivan Mayrina and Connie Sison, “On Call”; Winnie Monsod, “Bawal ang Pasaway Kay Mareng Winnie”; Malou Mangahas with Sheila Coronel, Marites Vitug, Florian Balmes and Ed Lingao on “Investigative Documentaries.”
“Brigada,” a GMA 7 news magazine program in 1990s which produced some of the biggest names in broadcast journalism today, returns to TV with Soho as mentor younger reporters.
Other shows include “(May) Tamang Balita,” “Best Men,” “I Juander,” “Pop Talk,” “Fashbook,” “Weekend Getaway,” “The Main Event,” “Spotlight: The Showbiz Newscast,” “Front Row,” “Reel Time” and “Game!”
As an added twist, rock icon Pepe Smith, with children Sonya and Bebop, introduced their reality program “The Smiths.”
GMA 7 SVP for news and public affairs Marissa Flores said she welcomes this opportunity to “expand the delivery of serbisyong totoo with more airtime for news and with public affairs programming now on early prime time.”
Also present that night were GMA 7 president and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., among other officers.