Global Satellite Technology Services (formerly known as First United Broadcasting Corporation) is a broadcast radio and television company in the Philippines. Its original station FUBC TV-9 in Zamboanga was an affiliate of BBC from 1974 to 1986, ABS-CBN in 1986–1995 and GMA Network from 1995 until April 1996.[2][3]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mass media |
| Predecessor | First United Broadcasting Corporation (1977-2002) |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder |
|
| Headquarters |
|
Key people |
|
| Brands | G Sat One Media Network |
| Services | Television broadcasting, direct broadcast satellite |
| Owner | First Global Conglomerates |
| Website | www |
Currently, GSTS owns a satellite television service G Sat and a free-to-air/cable news channel One Media Network, which is also available in the company's UHF stations.
History
editEarly years
editFirst United Broadcasting Corporation was founded by Ma. Clara "Caling" L. Lobregat, Zamboanga City's first ever female city mayor, and Basilio "Bong" Apolinario II. It brought to Zamboanga City its first FM station and its first color television station in 1977. The television station, DXLA 9Alive, was characterized by 9 "lovely" ladies. This network has produced several media personalities such as Cathy Veloso Santillan (one of the original 9Alive Girls who became a broadcaster and NewsWatch anchor of RPN-9 in the early 1990s), Zamboanga City District II Congressman Erico Basilio "Erbie" Fabian and ABS-CBN Correspondent for Western Mindanao and former anchor Pal Marquez, all of whom began their careers as part of the channel's news division.
Later years
editIn 1995, its original TV station, VHF channel 9 in Zamboanga city was sold to GMA. Its FM station, DXLA-FM 99.5 MHz, and AM station, DXRH-AM 1080 kHz have moved to Basilan/ARMM. However, its present goal seems to reinvent itself in the UHF spectrum nationwide.
FUBC has reinvented its image and now operates one of the Philippines' Direct-To-Home (DTH) Satellite Networks called G Sat and one of the Philippines' all news channel in cable and now in terrestrial networks called Global News Network, which is currently known as One Media Network.
In 2003, a group of broadcast investors led by Global Destiny Cable (now Destiny Cable) then-executive Philip J. Chien acquired the franchise, ownership and management of FUBC.
In 2014, it partnered with Newtec to launch a broadband service called iGSat Satellite Broadband.[4]
In 2018, FUBC merged with Global Broadcasting and Multimedia Inc. into a single entity and changed its name to Global Satellite Technology Services Inc.
On July 30, 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11481 which renewed GSTS's license for another 25 years. The law granted GSTS a franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes, radio broadcasting stations and television stations, including digital television system, with the corresponding facilities such as relay stations, throughout the Philippines.[5]
On June 23, 2021, GSTS inaugurated its own Technical facilities and Earth station at the new First Global Technopark complex in Ulong Tubig, Barangay Maduya, Carmona, Cavite.[6][7]
In August 2023, Y2H Broadcasting Network Inc., a subsidiary of Yes2Health Inc. took over broadcast operations of GSTS-owned DXLA 99.5 FM in Zamboanga and began its test broadcast as 99.5 XFM Zamboanga. on November 12 of the same year, XFM Zamboanga was officially launched with a motorcade and the station held a grand opening of its studios and offices along Marquez Drive corner Estrada Street, Zamboanga City.[8] On June 29, 2024, a large explosion occurred in Marquez Drive, where XFM studios are based. Reports indicate that there are 5 people dead, and 21 more injured in the forementioned incident, as well as several nearby establishments and houses are also damaged. XFM Zamboanga took off-the-air for the time being for technical adjustments and the safety of its personnel.[9][10][11]
TV stations
editOwned and operated stations
editAnalog
edit| Branding | Callsign | Ch. # | Power kW | Station Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GNN TV-30 Ilocos Sur | DZWR-TV | TV-30 | 20 kW | Originating | Ilocos Sur |
Digital
edit| Branding | Callsign | Ch. # | Frequency | Power | Area of Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GNN TV-44 Baguio | DWFB-DTV | 44 | 653.143 MHz | 1,000 watts (5 kW ERP) | Baguio |
| GNN TV-48 Naga | DWFA-DTV | 48 | 677.143 MHz | 1 kW | Naga |
| GNN TV-45 Cebu | DYFA-DTV | 45 | 659.143 MHz | 1 kW | Cebu |
| GNN TV-41 Davao | DXOW-DTV | 41 | 635.143 MHz | 1 kW | Davao |
| GNN TV-43 Zamboanga | DXFA-DTV | 43 | 647.143 MHz | 1 kW | Zamboanga |
Digital affiliate stations
edit| Branding | Callsign | Ch. # | Frequency | Power | Owner | Area of Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GNN TV-45 Manila | DWVN-DTV | 45 | 659.143 MHz | 3,500 watts | Gateway UHF Television Broadcasting | Mega Manila |
| GNN TV-44 Pampanga | DWFU-DTV | 44 | 653.143 MHz | TBA | Infomax Media | Pampanga |
Radio stations
edit| Branding | Callsign | Frequency | Power (kW) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XFM Zamboanga[a] | DXLA | 99.5 MHz | 5 kW | Zamboanga City |
| Radyo Dansalan | — | 104.1 MHz | 1 kW | Marawi |
Affiliations
editNotes
edit- ^ Operated by Y2H Broadcasting Network, Inc.
References
edit- ^ "GSAT Direct-to-Home Satellite". Archived from the original on October 5, 2022.
- ^ Juris, The Corpus (July 6, 1995). "R.A. No. 8079: An Act Granting the First United Broadcasting Corp. (FUBC) a Franchise to Construct, Install, Operate and Maintain for Commercial Purposes Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations Anywhere in the Philippines, and for Other Purposes". The Corpus Juris. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ "Franchises of 2 broadcast firms renewed". Manila Bulletin. August 5, 2020. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "Satellite Connection Blog". ST Engineering iDirect. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ "Republic Act No. 11481 | GOVPH". July 30, 2020. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ "Bagong transmitter ng Hope Channel Philippines pinasinayaan kasabay ng bagong G Sat building, facility". Hope Channel North Philippines on Facebook. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
- ^ "Hope Channel Philippines Inaugurates New TV Transmitter". adventist.news. July 10, 2021. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ 99.5 XFM Zamboanga City Motorcade. Herbert MotoVlog 2022 YouTube Channel. November 12, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Bolledo, Jairo (June 29, 2024). "5 dead, 38 injured after firecracker warehouse exploded in Zamboanga City". RAPPLER. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ Unson, John. "Probe into Zamboanga firecrackers, pyrotechnics blasts ongoing". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ "Facebook". web.facebook.com. Retrieved June 30, 2024.