DWDB-TV
Trademark
UnclaimedDWDB-TV is GMA Network's Metro Manila television station associated with the GTV service and operating on channel 27.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
DWDB-TV is a television station serving Metro Manila, Philippines, and the flagship terrestrial outlet associated with GTV, a secondary television service of GMA Network. The station is owned and operated by GMA Network, Inc. through Citynet Network Marketing and Productions, Inc. (CNMPI), a GMA subsidiary and licensee. Its studios are based at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City, while its transmission facilities are located at GMA's Tower of Power in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City. The site and frequency have supported several distinct services during the station's history, making DWDB-TV less a single-format channel than a long-running platform for GMA's changing strategies in Philippine free-to-air television. The station began broadcasting on August 27, 1995, as Citynet Television 27. GMA created Citynet as an independent UHF service that could concentrate on imported programming, particularly material from the United States, while the principal GMA Network service on channel 7 focused more heavily on locally produced shows. Citynet also developed a modest local-production capability, including Citynet Television News and the legal anthology Citycourt. Its news operation was organized within the broader GMA News and Public Affairs structure and involved cooperation with international business-news organizations. The schedule also included selected foreign dramas and music-oriented programming. The independent-station model became difficult to sustain amid high operating costs and competition from ABS-CBN-backed Studio 23. In 1999, the channel first adopted the interim EMC 27 identity, standing for Entertainment Music Channel, and then entered a partnership with STAR TV to become the Philippine carrier of Channel V Philippines. The Channel V arrangement began in December 1999 but ended on July 25, 2001. The termination followed changes in GMA's ownership relationships and competitive circumstances involving MTV Philippines. DWDB-TV subsequently spent periods off air and was used for relay and repeater functions rather than as a continuously branded independent network. Programming returned in 2004 as a relay of GMA-7 Manila. In November 2005, DWDB-TV became a repeater for DZOE-TV's QTV service under GMA's blocktime and programming agreement with ZOE Broadcasting Network. The UHF signal helped extend reception into parts of southern Metro Manila. The analog channel was later vacated as GMA prepared digital television tests. Beginning in February 2013, the frequency was used for GMA's ISDB-T digital trials, initially carrying simulcasts of GMA's main service and GMA News TV. GMA shifted its principal digital transmission to UHF channel 15 in May 2019. After GMA's agreement with ZOE ended, DWDB-TV was returned to analog service on June 4, 2019, as the Manila originating station for GMA News TV. This move preserved the channel's news service after its former channel 11 outlet became unavailable to GMA. GMA News TV was relaunched as GTV on February 22, 2021, expanding the format beyond news to include entertainment and sports while retaining a substantial news component. DWDB-TV's current service is distributed through GMA's digital transmission infrastructure, and its digital feed moved to a 16:9 widescreen presentation in February 2023.
History
DWDB-TV began operations in Quezon City on August 27, 1995, as Citynet Television 27. GMA Network designed the UHF station as an independent outlet that could carry imported programming while its main channel concentrated on Philippine-produced content. The station nevertheless developed some local programming, including Citynet Television News and Citycourt, a dramatic anthology based on notable Philippine court cases. Its news activities were connected to GMA News and Public Affairs and included cooperation with international business-news organizations. The independent Citynet model was not financially durable. High operating expenses and competition from Studio 23 placed pressure on the service, leading GMA to change the channel's identity and programming strategy. In 1999, it briefly operated as EMC 27, an entertainment-music channel, before becoming Channel V Philippines under a deal with STAR TV. The channel had already exposed Philippine viewers to selected international Channel V content, but the dedicated local service lasted only until July 25, 2001. The arrangement was affected by GMA's changing ownership situation and by competition involving MTV Philippines, which was connected to PLDT interests. After a period off air, DWDB-TV returned to use in 2004 as a relay of GMA-7 Manila. In November 2005, it became a repeater for QTV, GMA's secondary network operated through an agreement with ZOE Broadcasting Network. The UHF transmitter was particularly useful for reception in southern portions of Metro Manila. The analog channel was later vacated while GMA prepared digital broadcasting. GMA began digital tests on the frequency in February 2013 using the ISDB-T standard. The tests carried GMA's principal service and GMA News TV. In May 2019, GMA moved its primary digital assignment to UHF channel 15. At the same time, the end of GMA's agreement with ZOE required a new terrestrial outlet for GMA News TV. DWDB-TV resumed analog broadcasting on June 4, 2019, becoming the Manila originating station for GMA News TV. A short-lived overlap with the former channel occurred during the transition as the previous feed was gradually reduced and finally shut down. On February 22, 2021, GMA replaced the GMA News TV identity with GTV. The new service retained news programming but added a broader mixture of entertainment and sports. DWDB-TV remains associated with GTV's Metro Manila service and is also carried within GMA's digital terrestrial system. In February 2023, the digital feed adopted 16:9 widescreen video, ending the station's long reliance on the older 4:3 presentation.
- 2023
Digital feed adopts 16:9
[1]The station's digital presentation changes from 4:3 to 16:9 widescreen.
- 2021
GTV launches
[1]GMA News TV is replaced by the broader GTV service on February 22.
- 2019
Digital assignment moves to channel 15
[1]GMA transfers its primary digital transmission to UHF channel 15, while channel 27 is prepared for analog GMA News TV service.
- 2013
Digital test broadcasting begins
[1]GMA starts ISDB-T digital tests using DWDB-TV's UHF channel 27 frequency.
- 2005
Becomes a QTV repeater
[1]The station begins repeating the QTV service under GMA's arrangement with ZOE Broadcasting Network.
- 2004
Relay operations resume
[1]DWDB-TV returns to programming as a relay of GMA-7 Manila.
- 2001
Channel V Philippines ends
[1]The local Channel V service signs off, leaving the frequency without its previous branded music-channel operation.
- 1999
Transition to EMC 27 and Channel V Philippines
[1]The station moves away from the Citynet independent-service model, first adopting EMC 27 and then becoming Channel V Philippines.
- 1995
Citynet Television 27 launches
[1]DWDB-TV begins broadcasting as an independent GMA-operated UHF station focused largely on imported programming.
Products and positioning
A GMA-operated Metro Manila broadcast platform whose identity has shifted from an independent UHF station to music, relay, news, and now a broader news-and-entertainment service under the GTV brand.
Television network service · 1995
Citynet Television 27
The station's original identity, launched in 1995 as GMA's independent UHF service. Citynet emphasized imported programming while also carrying a limited selection of locally produced news and public-affairs content.
Music television service · 1999
Channel V Philippines
A locally operated music channel carried by DWDB-TV under GMA's agreement with STAR TV. It replaced the short-lived EMC 27 identity and provided music-video and VJ-led programming before ending in 2001.
News television service · 2019
GMA News TV Manila
DWDB-TV became the Manila originating outlet for GMA News TV in June 2019 after the network's channel 11 arrangement with ZOE ended. The service combined national news, public-affairs programming, and selected general-interest content.
Free-to-air television service · 2021
GTV Manila
The current service associated with DWDB-TV, launched in 2021 as the successor to GMA News TV. GTV uses a broader programming mix covering news, entertainment, and sports, while preserving a significant news presence.
Brand decisions
2021
Relaunch of the service as GTVStrategyBackground
GMA sought a broader identity after operating the channel primarily as a news service.
Action taken
GMA replaced GMA News TV with GTV, combining news with entertainment and sports programming.
Aftermath
DWDB-TV continued as the Metro Manila outlet associated with the expanded GTV format.
2019
Reallocation of channel 27 for GMA News TVStrategyBackground
GMA's blocktime agreement with ZOE Broadcasting Network was ending, removing GMA News TV from its established channel 11 outlet.
Action taken
GMA shifted its primary digital transmission to channel 15 and returned DWDB-TV's channel 27 frequency to analog service for GMA News TV.
Aftermath
DWDB-TV became GMA News TV's originating Manila station from June 4, 2019, until the service was replaced by GTV.
2013
Launch of digital television testsProduct launchBackground
GMA began preparing for digital terrestrial broadcasting using the ISDB-T standard.
Action taken
The network used DWDB-TV's UHF channel 27 frequency for test transmissions carrying GMA and GMA News TV feeds.
Aftermath
The digital service was later moved to UHF channel 15, which became GMA's primary digital assignment.
1999
Shift from Citynet to music programmingStrategyBackground
The independent Citynet model faced high operating costs and strong competition from Studio 23.
Action taken
GMA repositioned DWDB-TV first as EMC 27 and then as Channel V Philippines through a STAR TV partnership.
Aftermath
The music-channel strategy lasted until Channel V Philippines ended in 2001.
Sources2 sources
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