Poll ads drive GMA profit surge in H1

Listed media company GMA Network Inc. reported a more than threefold increase in net income to P2.0 billion in the first half of the year from P602 million last year, supported by strong advertising revenue and election-related placements during the May midterm polls.

In a stock exchange report on Wednesday, the company said consolidated revenues rose to P10.1 billion from P7.8 billion in the same period last year.

Advertising revenue reached P9.3 billion, alongside higher earnings from production services and other sources.

Operating expenses grew by 6 percent to P7.6 billion, driven by higher cash and non-cash production costs and administrative expenses.

The strong topline performance pushed earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization to P3.8 billion, up 91 percent from a year ago.

GMA Network said its performance was supported by continued nationwide ratings leadership in the first half, citing Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

The public affairs show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho was the most-watched program in Urban Philippines for the second quarter.

GMA Integrated News also led viewership on-air and online with its “Eleksyon 2025: The GMA Integrated News Coverage,” which the company said “earned the highest viewership… compared to the competition.”

To recall, the network launched new programs in June to sustain its growth.