ABS-CBN Nets Close to PhP1 Billion for 1st Quarter of 2011

The consolidated net income of ABS-CBN Corporation registered P976 million for the first three months of the year ending March 31, 2011.

ABS-CBN delivered consolidated revenues of P6.6 billion from advertising and consumer sales, a 15% decline compared to a year ago. Less the revenues from political advocacies and advertisement from the first quarter of 2010, consolidated revenues in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 3% year-on-year.

ABS-CBN’s advertising revenues declined 21% or P1.0 billion to reach P4.0 billion. Minus the revenues from political advocacies and advertisement in the first quarter of 2010, advertising revenues in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 10% year-on-year. This increase is attributable to the rise in total advertising minutes sold and programmed rate increase that took effect in February 2011.

Consumer sales for the first quarter of 2011 amounted to P2.5 billion, posting a 5% decrease or P147 million less from a year ago, mainly from ABS-CBN Global. ABS-CBN Global revenues declined by 15% year on year in peso terms due to the decline in subscribers and the appreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar. Meanwhile, Sky Cable continues to contribute positively with revenues increasing by 6% to P1.0 billion. This is mostly driven by the increased take up of its broadband service subscriptions which increased by 31% year-on-year.

Total expenses declined by P721 million or 13% year-on-year to P4.7 billion partly due to the lower cost of sales and services and general and administrative expenses (GAEX).

Net income attributable to shareholders for the first quarter of 2011 is at P976 million, inclusive of the gain on sale of Sky Cable Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs), a 10% decline year-on-year. Removing the effects of this one-time gain in the first quarter of 2011 and P1.40 billion revenues generated from political advocacies and political advertisement in the first quarter of 2010, net income would have increased by 12% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) hit P2.1 billion, a 14% decline year-on-year. Stripping the one-time gain in the first quarter of 2011 and equally shaving the P1.40 billion revenues generated from political advocacies and political advertisement in the first quarter of 2010, EBITDA would have grown by 6% year-on-year

Capital expenditure and film and program rights acquisition for the first quarter of 2011 amounted to P886 million, P400 million or 82% higher than the level of spending from previous year. These are all programmed expenditures to increase the company’s capacity to produce additional shows.

ABS-CBN maintained its national audience share and ratings leadership with prime-time audience share averaging 41% in the first quarter of 2011, going by Kantar Media National TV Ratings’ figures.

For the period January to March 2011, all six of ABS-CBN’s primetime week-day shows were in the Top 6: the Top 6: Emil Cruz Jr.’s Mara Clara, Pablo S. Gomez’s Mutya, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, Noah, TV Patrol and Imortal. The same trend was repeated in the week-end where ABS-CBN’s primetime week-end shows also dominated the top programs: Pilipinas Got Talent (Saturday and Sunday edition), Wansapanataym : Ulo, Kokak, Family Tree, and Buhawi Jack, Maalaala Mo Kaya…, Rated K Handa Na Ba Kayo?, and Goin’ Bulilit.

Primetime programs launched in the first quarter of 2011—Mutya and Pilipinas Got Talent—enjoyed national program ratings in the 30s, and audience share in the high 40s.

ABS-CBN Global’s overall viewer count decreased by 3% year-on-year, driven by the decline in subscriber growth in the Middle East, Europe and Japan. Double digit subscriber growth continued to be experienced in Canada, and mid-to-high single digit subscriber growth in Asia-Pacific and Australia.

ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. released five films in the first three months of this year, two more than the same period in 2010. Three of them–Ang Tanging Ina Mo Last Na To, Dalaw and Catch Me I’m in Love–topped P100 million in box office receipts, earning blockbuster status by local standards.

Charlene Gonzales Jealous of Aga Muhlach - Angel Locsin Love Scene?

Did the steamy love scenes of veteran actor Aga Muhlach and sultry actress Angel Locsin in the film "In The Name of Love" make actress-host Charlene Gonzales feel envious?

In an interview with Push.com.ph, the beauty queen-turned-actress vehemently denied the issue.

"No, no... From the moment I met Aga, magkaibigan na kami and ito na 'yung trabaho niya. I understand dahil pareho 'yung industriya that we go around. So sa akin, ok lang 'yun," she said.

Instead, Gonzales lauded the entire film.

"And I understand na kasama lahat 'yun sa work. It was beautifully done, very nice. I would say that it’s a masterpiece... Hindi ko sinasabi ito dahil nandito 'yung asawa ko, but it’s really one of the best movies I’ve seen," she said.

When asked for her favorite part in the film, the host of "The Buzz" revealed: “Gusto ko 'yung confrontation scene. 'Yung eksena ni Aga with his kuya and his son. Ayoko naman sabihin lahat ng mga moments kasi there's a lot of shining moments in the movie and kung sasabihin ko baka ma-spoil naman 'yung mga moviegoers."

"I’m sure you’d come out inspired and mas lalo ka maniniwala sa pag-ibig," she ended.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Piolo Pascual to Launch First Digital Album

Piolo Pascual’s “Decades” albums have a little brother--a hot, new, collectible prepaid digital album card dubbed as “Decades Acoustic.”

The digital album features 4 songs from his “Decades” album series, which have been reworked into acoustic versions. These 4 songs are “To Be With You,” “Truly Madly, Deeply,” “Terminal,” and the current single “It’s Sad To Belong.”

The first of its kind in the Philippines, the digital album card is actually a scratch card that unlocks exclusive content which can be redeemed from Star Records’ redemption site, www.starmusic.ph.

In addition to the 4 tracks, the card is loaded with exclusive “Decades” wallpapers and lyric sheets that have never been released digitally before.

“Decades Acoustic” digital album cards will be available at Astrovision stores starting on May 28.

The album is also available online via e-pins which will be sold at Load Central, Digital Martian, and V-mobile starting May 18.

Individual tracks, on the other hand, can be purchased from www.starrecords.ph.

Other prepaid digital album cards to watch for are Juris’ Korean-produced album, “If, You and Me,” Vincent Bueno’s album, “The Austrian Idol,” the Star Power 5’s “Soundcheck” album, and “TV Themes” vols. 1, 2 and 3, featuring favorite theme songs for Kapamilya TV shows.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Coco Martin is Judy Ann Santos' New Leading Man

The stars are aligned for independent actor and prime time star Coco Martin.

In addition to his lead role in “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin,” which is hitting top ratings on the prime time block, Martin is still hitting big marks in his film career.

The actor will be the new leading man of Judy Ann Santos in her comeback movie slated to be released later this year.

Martin is overwhelmed with news of the project as he said he never thought his dream of working with the soap opera queen would come true.

“Bata pa lang ako pinapanood ko na si Ms Judy Ann... in ‘Esperanza,’ ‘Kristala,” he said.

The film boasts of a strong supporting cast as well, with the likes of Gina Pareño and Maja Salvador joining Santos and Martin.

Meanwhile, Martin is receiving nods from the country's prestigious Urian Awards yet again as he is nominated for his role in the film “Noy.”

This nomination comes after winning as Urian's Best Supporting Actor several years back for “Serbis" and being nominated in the Best Actor category for “Kinatay.”

Martin will also be awarded as Actor of the Decade at this year's Urian Awards, a recognition that caught even the actor himself by surprise.

"Since 2009, tuloy tuloy ang blessings talaga... Feeling ko nasa tamang landas ako ngayon. Gusto ko dito lang ako," he said.

Martin added that this is another feather in his cap, especially since he is relatively a newcomer in the industry.

He is wholeheartedly thankful for the support of his fans and colleagues, saying it is a great privilege to be able to continue his passion in life.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Former GMA7 Talent Bryan Termulo Wants to be a Kapamilya

Bryan Termulo, ang dating GMA 7 talent, 2007 Pinoy Pop Superstar finalist, at 2010 WCOPA silver and bronze medalist, took up basic acting workshop on ABS-CBN.

"Last October, at nag-last siya nung February of this year lang. Now I'm waiting for my call na lang," saad niya. "Before nga, parang ipi-present na ako kay Mr. M [Johnny Manahan, chairman emeritus ng Star Magic] nung last month yata or two months ago. Kaso ang problema, pictorial ng Lifeline. E, nauna itong Lifeline na natanguan ko, eto ang ginawa kong priority. Sabi ko na lang sa Star Magic, ita-try kong humabol. Ipi-present na raw ako kay Mr. M. Gusto ko talagang maging part ng Kapamilya Network. Na-late ako, so sinabi ko na lang sa kanila na pasensiya na kasi may prior project akong pinuntahan. Tinext naman nila ako at in-assure nila na irire-sked raw nila yun, ipa-follow up ko na lang. So, I'm still waiting."

Maliban sa pagiging kabado, excited raw si Bryan sa naiisip na pagpasok niya sa Kapamilya. Handa na raw siya sa kung anumang intrigang haharapin niya dito.

Source: www.pep.ph