More than half of Metro Manila homes are now watching television via digital terrestrial television technology, according to the latest surveys conducted by Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations.
The two poll groups conducted surveys in March, which showed that 51 percent of Pulse Asia respondents and 56 percent of SWS respondents in Metro Manila owned a DTT box, which provides a better TV viewing experience and more choices in terms of programs and channels.
The surveys also found that 16 percent (Pulse Asia) and 17 percent (SWS) of households nationwide had a DTT box.
Results showed that more consumers were making the big switch from analog to DTT. ABS-CBN reported that it sold a total of 5 million ABS-CBN TVplus boxes as of May 3.
ABS-CBN Tvplus, which was launched in 2015, enables viewers to enjoy clearer picture and audio quality, affordable pay-per-view services and free exclusive channels without any monthly and installation fee.
With the robust sales of ABS-CBN TVplus driving the rise in DTT penetration, ABS-CBN is ahead of other broadcast companies in supporting the government’s mandate for the full shift from analog to DTT by 2023.
ABS-CBN TVplus expanded its signal coverage in the country to reach residents in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Tarlac, Benguet, Cavite, Metro Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod and Davao.
Meanwhile, GMA Network Inc. said it would spend about P700 million to roll out its DTT service by June this year.
“GMA’s digital signal is now available in Mega Manila up to parts of Tarlac. We will reach Mindanao by end June this year. When our digitization project ißs completed, we will cover 83 percent of the Philippines with our digital signal,” GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon said.
“ [We are] waiting for the official partnership [with a telco] because the soon to be partner will immediately distribute the device. The target initial release as agreed will be one million,” Gozon said.
Gozon said GMA’s device would be smaller and cheaper than rival ABS-CBN Corp’s TVplus.