The switch is on
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
If you’re a Skycable subscriber and an NBA fan, you’ll be glad to know switching to Global Destiny for your daily dose of pro hoops is now as easy as surfing channels on your remote.
That’s the word from Solar Sports vice president for marketing Jude Turcuato who predicts the exodus from Skycable to Global Destiny will change the complexion of the cable network wars within two or three months.
Turcuato estimates Skycable and Global Destiny dominating close to 80 percent of the Metro Manila subscribers market. Skycable leads the race with Global Destiny a close second, he notes. But Turcuato expects a tied ball game within the first quarter as more and more viewers make the switch because of Solar’s solid content in Global Destiny.
Solar pulled out of Skycable at the turn of the year, bringing BTV, Solar Sports and Jack TV to Global Destiny in a transfer that is particularly significant in the Metro Manila market.
“Solar continues to be the most widely distributed cable channel in the country, more than even HBO,” says Turcuato. “Solar has between 450 to 500 cable affiliates all over the Philippines and Global Destiny is just one of them. Of course, we know Skycable and Global Destiny are the two biggest cable providers around, like PLDT and Globe in telecommunications and ABS-CBN and GMA in free-to-air TV. Switching from Skycable to Global Destiny is a matter of preference and I think the market that matters most to us at Solar is making the switch.”
Turcuato says with BTV, Solar Sports and Jack TV moving out of Skycable, the sports block in Global Destiny is suddenly formidable and unbeatable.
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“Now, Global Destiny offers NBA everyday on BTV, ESPN, Star Sports, Eurosport and World Wrestling Entertainment on Jack,” continues Turcuato. “Then, Solar is bringing in PGA Golf, the NFL, the Z Gorres-Vic Darchinyan title eliminator fight, the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight for the WBC superfeatherweight championship, Eurocup soccer, the Philippine 9-Ball Open and of course, the Beijing Olympics. You won’t get any of that on Skycable.”
Curiously, Turcuato recalls that some seven or eight years ago, when Star Sports left Skycable, it was Solar that came to the rescue by bringing the NBA to the ABS-CBN cable network.
“Subscribers were switching out of Skycable at the rate of 300 a day for at least a month until Solar stopped the bleeding,” remembers Turcuato. “It’s ironic that now, Solar is leading the charge out of Skycable and we’re anticipating a switch of a much higher rate than 300 a day. Global Destiny is prepared to handle the switch with more cable guys, trucks and wiring equipment.”
Turcuato says Global Destiny will not carry the Skycable staples of ANC, Balls, Lifestyle and Cinema One but counters with CNBC, Fox News, Philippine Box Office, the Al Jazeera network, Discovery Travel and Living and Disney playhouse.
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“Some of Global Destiny’s channels like Disney playhouse and Fox News are available through platinum or more expensive subscriptions with Skycable,” says Turcuato. “But there’s a major difference in price. The basic Global Destiny monthly rate is P450 while Skycable is P770 and platinum subscribers pay over P1,000. Even if you’re not an NBA or sports fan, you’ll make the switch because it just makes more economic sense. But if you’re an NBA or sports fan, it’s obviously a great deal.”
Turcuato says his father-in-law’s golfmates in Makati are now linked to Global Destiny because of Solar’s PGA rights. And since ESPN isn’t covering the NFL this season, Global Destiny has become the exclusive home of American pro football, too.
Even the popular “Jay Leno Show” – where Pacquiao is scheduled to appear in drumming up interest for the Marquez rematch – is now exclusive to Global Destiny because its home is Jack TV.
Clearly, the key is the NBA. It’s destiny that interest in the NBA today is sky-high, what with the unpredictable season. According to Turcuato, Solar’s commitment in terms of ratings and market reach to the NBA remains as strong as ever, if not even stronger, with the switch from Skycable to Global Destiny.
Turcuato says Global Destiny has put up a direct hotline, 894-5714, to support the trunkline of 810-2828 so every subscriber is attended to without delay. Joining the bandwagon to Global Destiny couldn’t be easier.
Posted by bossingvic on PinoyExchange.