TV Maria, celebrates its 15 years of broadcasting this year 2021, as the Philippines also celebrates the 500 years of Christianity in the nation. TV Maria was created to fulfill the vision of being the Filipino Catholic TV Channel. And it has served this purpose not only within the Philippine archipelago but has also reached many Filipinos across the globe.
January 1, 2006, TV Maria started its first broadcast over Dream Satellite through the kindness of Mr. Antonio Cojuangco and has been graced with a TV channel dedicated to bring daily inspiration and spiritual nourishment to viewers nationwide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the help of its different program contributors such as Communication Foundation for Asia, Family Rosary Crusade, Jesuit Communications and Amanu-Men of Light, to mention some.
Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio took charge of the planning and construction of the facility within the Caritas Manila compound in Pandacan, Manila. In commemoration of one of its founder, the studio was named after Fr. James Reuter, SJ.
Thereafter, TV Maria launched a partnership deal with Sky Cable channel 210, Destiny Cable channel 96 and Cignal channel 188 which offered a wider reach. With the fast growing viewership on digital terrestrial television in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces TV Maria also became available in Rajah Broadcasting Network (RJTV), paving the way to air on Digital boxes like ABS-CBN TV Plus and GMA Affordabox and other provincial cable providers like Leal Cable Television Network, Cable Star, Cotabato Cable and Calapan Cable to name a few.
Not only did the TV channel maximized its presence on TV, it also gained significant viewership over the internet as it continues to expand its reach to Filipinos locally and worldwide through social media like Facebook and YouTube. It became a go-to page for Church events gaining 300, 000 plus followers and 70, 000 plus subscribers. TV Maria further strengthened its nationwide TV viewership since the beginning of 2020, with a noticeable use of broadcasting, hence, became one of the influential medium for evangelization as it continues to uplift the audience with its programs especially in these trying times.
As the Filipino Catholic television channel intensifies to the challenge of broadcasting Catholic productions, TV Maria constantly delivers daily masses and programs that would inspire and enrich the Filipino faithful’s spiritual life. Truly, the TV station continues to serve the nation by staying to its mission to lead people to the fullness of life.
Sharing viewer’s comments from celebrating its 15th year programming: “Love this channel and I am hooked on it.”, said Baby Benson of NCR. “Our family always include TV Maria in our daily routine. To tell you, TV Maria made me learn to pray more than before”, Eadric Aldrich Jose Espiritu added. “Salamat po sa inyong pag brodcast ng mass para po sa kagaya kong may kapansanan at sa kasama k sa bhay n senior. Salamat po”, Susan Gutierrez ended.
TV Maria Foundation Philippines, Inc., or simply TV Maria, is a non-profit, non-stock organization, owned and managed by the Archdiocese of Manila through the guidance of then Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, DD. who recognized the importance of developing the means to reach out to the Filipino faithful through TV and the internet. The station started out by gathering productions from different Catholic media organizations including Catholic schools. It became the platform for broadcast of Catholic productions the promoted faith, values and morals.
The Filipino Catholic TV channel is a solid proof in utilizing all the available resources and opportunities that come its way by God’s grace, remaining true to what they uphold as media evangelizers; “We have the stories. We have the heart and passion to proclaim and share these stories. We just need to be where the people are.”
To know more about TV Maria, visit www.tvmaria.ph. (Kathlynne Diaz/TV Maria)
