GMA Network Inc. on Friday finally launched its own affordable digital television device for only P888. 

Felipe L. Gozon,  chairman and chief executive of GMA sad its own digital terrestrial television (DTT) receiver “GMA Affordabox” was specifically developed to be made accessible to millions of Filipino households.

“In celebration of this milestone of reaching seven colorful decades in the industry, we are more than grateful for the Filipinos’ continued trust in GMA Network as we reaffirm our commitment to deliver excellence in news and entertainment,” Gozon added. 

The device features a multimedia player and a personal video recorder, including nationwide emergency warning broadcast system (EWBS).

GMA Affordabox costs P888 and no monthly fees, cheaper by nearly half compared to the P1,499 TVPlus of rival ABS-CBN Corp.

Rival ABS-CBN launched its digital set top box in 2015 and now sold 8.9 million device as of end 2019.

“GMA Affordabox stays true to its name as we make it available in the market at an affordable price, without compromising quality,” Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., president and chief operating officer of GMA said. 

“GMA Network has teamed up with the best product developers and engineers to give you a device built with additional features and high-quality materials at an accessible price,’ he added. 

The device is available in areas where GMA’s digital signal such as  Metro Manila, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao del Norte.

“Aside from providing superior digital reception, we also wanted Filipino homes to enjoy additional features that are built to suit their lifestyle,” Regie C. Bautista, GMA  Chief Risk Officer and First Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning and Concurrent Head for Program Support said. 

With a sleek black metal casing that is set to endure years of TV viewing, GMA Affordabox provides superior digital reception as well as additional features that will take the users’ entertainment experience to a whole new level. 

It comes with a built-in multimedia player that makes it an all-around digital file access device allowing users to play compatible video files, view photos, and even listen to music using a USB drive.

GMA posted a net income of P2.63 billion last year, up by 14 percent from P2.32 billion in 2018. 

The broadcasting network reported  a consolidated revenue of P16.49 billon last year, up 8 percent from P15.23 billion in 2018.

GMA said advertising revenues remained its lifeblood with P15.17 billion, up 10 percent from P13.83 billion in 2018. 

In 2019, GMA recored 35.5 percent total day people audience share, in Urban Luzon, which accounted for 72 percent of all urban viewers in the country — outscoring rival ABS-CBN’s 30.4 percent.

In the morning slot, GMA won against ABS-CBN with 28.1 percent and 25.8 percent, respectively. While in the afternoon slot, GMA posted 36.7 percent versus ABS CBN’s 30.9 percent. 

GMA further toppled its competitor in the evening block with 37.7 percent while ABS-CBN only got 31.9 percent. 

In Mega Manila, which accounted for 60 percent of all urban viewers in the country, GMA posted 36.5 parent today day people audience share compared to ABS-CBN’s 27.9 percent based on official data from January to December.