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| (Image Source: Asian Business Review) |
In today's hyper-connected world, broadcasting remains a powerful force. From captivating series to live sporting events, broadcasters, industry partners, and vendors wield the magic of technology to entertain, educate, and inform audiences on a massive scale. Behind the scenes, the drive to constantly innovate and improve the viewing experience is fierce. In celebration of these exceptional industry players, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ (APB+) Awards 2024 concluded with a dazzling awards dinner held last May 30, 2024 at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in Singapore.
The prestigious event presented by Asian Business Review recognized outstanding achievements and innovative projects pushing the boundaries of broadcasting technology, digitalisation, and engineering across the Asia-Pacific region. It was a night of celebration for the region's most forward-thinking broadcasters and industry partners. The winning projects showcased the incredible advancements in the broadcasting landscape, highlighting how technology is being leveraged to create compelling experiences for audiences across multiple platforms. A distinguished panel of judges consisting of industry leaders Kiran Karunakaran (Partner, Singapore, Bain & Company), Wilson Chow (Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry Leader and China Artificial Intelligence Leader, PwC), and Pattaraphan Paiboon (Partner, Thailand, Baker McKenzie), evaluated the nominations and selected the winners. Leading among the companies that scored huge wins for the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2024 is the country's largest and leading broadcast media company GMA Network with three awards in the following categories: “Series Production - Philippines", "Technology Animation - Philippines" and “Set Design Enabling Special Effects - Philippines" in its efforts to embrace digital advancements in the Philippine broadcast industry.
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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
GMA Integrated News' (GMAIN) flagship newscast "24 Oras'' won the "Series Production - Philippines'' award for "Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima", a series of special reports that investigated the effects of climate change, shed light on the impact of extreme weather conditions, deforestation, and the displacement of communities and, at the same time, showcased tales of resilience and innovation in adapting to the threat of climate change. Earning the award for "Technology Animation - Philippines" was the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sports Series Project of GMAIN's Social Media Team and GMA New Media Inc. (GMA NMI). The winning entry featured the country's first-ever AI presenters, Maia and Marco, who bring the biggest news on NCAA Season 99 as well as updates on local and international sports featuring Filipino athletes on the social media platforms of GMAIN, GMA Sports, and GMA Synergy. Meanwhile, the Philippines' longest-running morning show Unang Hirit (UH) won the "Set Design Enabling Special Effects - Philippines" for its world-class studio that combines aesthetics and function with innovative elements. Unveiled in October last year, the winning studio set was designed by the U.S.-based company FX Design Group, which is known for its use of cutting-edge technology in projects for some of the world's top broadcasters. It was constructed with the help of Script2010, the in-house construction arm of GMA Network, and GMA's Engineering Department, which has been responsible for the creation of GMA's studios over the years. “This win from Asia Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2024 cements GMAIN's foothold as the news authority of Filipinos, bringing timely and relevant stories including the defining issue of our time, effects of climate change, to a much larger audience across the Philippines and overseas while fearlessly trailblazing the use of technology," says GMA Network Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso. "We are very proud of our 'Unang Hirit' team as they continue to find ways to delight audiences and innovate on the show after 25 years on the air; this newest set is our most beautiful ever and we are very grateful for the recognition from the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Awards," shares GMA Network First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa S. Valdellon.
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN News’ innovative digital projects took home two awards - Patrol Ng Pilipino as the recipient of the Digital Transformation Award and ABS-CBN Digital News Gathering Team’s almost 15-hour livestream coverage of the 2024 Feast of the Black Nazarene bagging the Live Event Streaming Award. Patrol Ng Pilipino is a pioneering digital platform that enables ABS-CBN News reporters to tell relevant stories in vertical video formats to reach more audiences on social media. With over 150,000 followers and 2 million likes on its Tiktok channel as well as regular videos posted on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Threads over a year since its launch, Patrol ng Pilipino paved the way for other digital video products from ABS-CBN's News Gathering arm. On the other hand, the #Nazareno2024 livestream became the most-watched live stream in the Philippines for the day and was also tapped by other organizations like the People’s Television Network, TV Maria, and the Quiapo Church. “It’s been an incredibly tough few years…so I’m dedicating this one to all the incredible journalists who have proven that they are tougher. For my colleagues in ABS-CBN News, the reporters, remote broadcast specialists and interns most especially, who have shown us gumption and grit against the grind and spirited storytelling in the name of service. This is proof that we’re not just here to break news. But also to break boundaries in how news stories are told,” said ABS-CBN News Chief of Reporters Jeff Canoy during his acceptance speech.
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| ABS-CBN News Science Editor and Patrol Ng Pilipino Team Lead Anjo Bagaoisan and Chief of Reporters Jeff Canoy accepting the awards won by ABS-CBN in Asia Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2024 (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Anjo Bagaoisan, the Patrol ng Pilipino’s team lead and ABS-CBN News science editor, also honored the men and women behind the news organization’s daily operations, saying, “You can’t keep good men and women, excellent men and women down. Despite our limited resources and reach, our team strove to find ways to still do what they do best, and this marathon digital livestream of the biggest religious event in the Philippines embodies that." For ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs Head Francis Toral, the achievements are proof of the company’s commitment to serve audiences with news and public service in new formats. “It’s been an amazing transformation for the ABS-CBN News team. We have been able to optimize our traditional news and current affairs programs, and venture into a new terrain on digital — offering content that reaches new and more audiences. We are also keeping true to our mission of public service by providing relevant news and information on all platforms and devices, wherever our audience is,” said Toral.
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| Cignal TV Inc. Vice President and Head of Network Engineering and Operations Erwin Galang accepting the Sports Broadcasting Award at Asia Pacific Broadcasting Awards+ 2024 for Pilipinas Live with Quickplay APAC Sales Lead Jim Vin (Image Source: Philstar.com/TV5 Network Inc./Asian Business Review) |
On the strength of its unparalleled live and on-demand coverage, Cignal TV was able to nab a Sports Broadcasting award for its sports streaming platform Pilipinas Live. With a focus on innovative and compelling sports viewing via multi-screen camera angles, interactive chats for users, and the fan stream that immerses the audience in the live events, Pilipinas Live has delivered comprehensive coverage for local leagues including the PBA, UAAP, PVL, Spikers’ Turf, and MPBL. Since its inception in 2023, Pilipinas Live has also provided Filipinos with on-demand coverage for international leagues and events such as Japan’s B.League, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, and the Volleyball Nations League 2024. Among the biggest properties Pilipinas Live is set to bring closer to Pinoys is the upcoming 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, which the country will host. “We would like to thank APB+ for this honor. This award means we are well on our way towards ensuring that Filipinos from all over the world can support their favorite sports teams,” said Cignal TV Inc. First Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Gerard L. Milan. “We are pleased to be awarded by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+. Last year it was Cignal Play, then this year it’s Pilipinas Live. We are grateful for this chance to contribute to the development of Philippine sports,” said Cignal TV Inc. Vice President and Head of Network Engineering and Operations Erwin Galang who formally received the award for Pilipinas Live.
Rounding off the APB+ winners slate for the Philippines is Aliw Broadcasting Corporation taking home the New TV Channel award for Aliw Channel 23, which was launched last year in partnership with 90 Degrees North Inc. Aside from the Philippines, other APB+ awardees hail from Japan, India, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and New Zealand.
