GMA Network, one of the largest TV stations in the country, reportedly seen a decline in sales of its merchandise for the third straight year.
According to Bilyonaryo, GMA7’s merchandise sales dropped 36% to Php199 million in 2024, from Php312 million in 2023, pointing to weak demand for GMA Affordabox, which dragged down the overall revenue for its merchandise.
The Buy 1 GMA Affordabox, Get 1 GMA Now bundle costs only Php799, making the GMA Now originally worth Php599 for free, essentially paying only for the flagship gadget. However, the bid to boost its sales did not materialize as expected.
The Affordabox is GMA’s digital TV receiver, which is attached to an analog TV to receive a higher-quality digital TV broadcast. At the same time, the GMA One is a mobile digital TV receiver that attaches to your Android phone, allowing you to watch live TV on the go for free.
Despite selling over three million units of the Affordabox, nearly a third of its sales occurred during its first year, right after its rival, ABS-CBN, lost its franchise.
Besides the demand for the item, the Affordabox is a one-time purchase, so there are no repeat customers.
The rise of online streaming of GMA shows on YouTube means people watch less on TVs and may opt to use mobile devices instead. The declining price of digital TV in the market may have also contributed to the drop in sales of its merchandise.