GMA-7 Is Finally Adapting 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Format
Flat-screen TV viewers with 16:9 widescreen panels can enjoy their favorite Kapuso programs in a wider scope.
All GMA Channels
The format will be made available across GMA and GTV, as well as on their digital sub-channels Heart of Asia, Hallypop, I Heart Movies, and Pinoy Hits.
Meanwhile, the exprience is also implemented on network’s overseas channels via GMA international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV.
“Recognizing that a majority of TV homes in the country have already shifted to wider flat-screen TVs from the traditional box-type, and more importantly that our viewers deserve the best that we can offer, GMA will now provide its viewers with a true widescreen viewing experience for all its TV channels. The 16:9 widescreen format allows content creators of GMA to provide better storytelling which translates to a more immersive viewing experience for our audiences. Through a higher spatial resolution, there is more freedom in composition and visual expression,” shares GMA Network's First Vice President and Head of Post Production Paul Ticzon.
“GMA Network budgeted over P139M in capital expenditure for the acquisition of attendant electronics equipment that facilitate the 16:9 widescreen format delivery through our existing analog and digital terrestrial broadcast network nationwide, as well as re-distribution partners here and abroad. The 16:9 widescreen format can display 33 % more distinct picture information than what we are used to seeing with the traditional screen format. We have chosen to utilize the full height anamorphic process or FHA to make this possible,” adds GMA Network's Senior Vice President and Head of Engineering Group Elvis Ancheta.
It is there but not yet implemented
Some of it’s viewers started to notice the change of aspect ratio first on clips and full episodes uploaded such as Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, 24 Oras, Encantadia on YouTube and other social media accounts as early as 2016. Since then, it has been a nice-to-have request to broadcast in this format on their free-to-air analog and digital channels.
On the other hand, network’s known rivals such as TV5, A2Z (block time with ABS CBN) has been producing shows in 16:9 format (especially the now-defunct ABS-CBN which has their 16:9 format as early as 2016), and is still currently broadcasting in 16:9, letterboxed format, which makes the shows more compressed-looking on widescreen-format TV.
Other TV networks such as CNN Philippines, NET25, OnePH, PTV, SMNI and others has already updated the 16:9 format, while some of them are now broadcasting in either 720i HD or 1080p Full HD format.
Rumors has said that the network is gearing towards HD format in May 2023, according to a source.
Analog Shut Off Delays
While first-world country is already working to adapt on a higher resolution 4K UHD and 8K broadcast, the Philippine’s National Telecommunications Commission will further delays the analog shut off to paved way to supposed to be upgraded TV experience and further allocation of microwave spectrum to telcos.
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