Leading video software provider Synamedia announced that GMA Network, Inc., a major broadcaster in Asia Pacific, has deployed PowerVu to move distribution of its global GMA Pinoy TV service from satellite to the cloud. This migration has already resulted in a better viewing experience for subscribers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with improved reliability and latency.

By using PowerVu to distribute its content over AWS cloud, GMA has lowered operating costs, removed complexity, and created new monetisation opportunities. And, by moving to cloud distribution, GMA has eliminated the threat of disruption to its subscribers’ viewing experience from 5G spectrum interference with satellite downlink.

In partnership with AWS, Synamedia overcame one of GMA’s major challenges: like many operators in Asia Pacific, GMA has struggled to get video into the cloud reliably due to internet connectivity issues. By deploying Synamedia virtual Digital Content Manager (vDCM), GMA benefited from a secure gateway for reliable video delivery into the cloud.

GMA had to accelerate its strategy of moving distribution to IP when one of the satellite providers in the Middle East shut down its service in March 2023. Synamedia deployed PowerVu in under six hours and transitioned GMA’s services to cloud-based distribution, ensuring continuous broadcasting. With the transition to IP cloud connectivity, GMA can easily scale and extend distribution to overseas Filipinos – known as “Pinoys” globally.

GMA Pinoy TV is GMA’s flagship international channel, bringing the best of Filipino entertainment and news to Global Filipinos in over 100 countries through partnerships with major pay-TV operators on cable, direct-to-home, IPTV and OTT distribution platforms.

Joseph Francia, First Vice President and Head of International Operations at GMA said, “GMA Pinoy TV is committed to provide exceptional content to the Global Filipino audience. With Synamedia’s PowerVu cloud-based distribution solution, we hope to further elevate the viewing experience of our audience in the Middle East and North Africa.”

Allan Cruz, Assistant Vice President and Head of Facilities Management Division at GMA added, “Synamedia has a reputation in the industry for reliability and excellent customer service and we have seen this first-hand as we transition our content delivery in MENA to IP and the cloud. The team went above and beyond to ensure we could go live in record time.”

Marc Baillavoine, CTO of Video Network at Synamedia, commented, “GMA has a loyal subscriber base around the world who rely on GMA Pinoy TV to keep up with news and entertainment from home. Using our PowerVu cloud-based distribution solution, GMA has overcome many persistent industry issues and is now reaping the benefits of reduced operating costs, business agility and scalability to extend its distribution globally while enhancing the viewer experience.”