GMA Network’s top-rating flagship newscast 24 Oras marks a significant milestone in the broadcast industry as it celebrates its 20th year on Philippine television this March.
Airing weeknights at 6:30 p.m., 24 Oras is anchored by award-winning broadcast journalists Mel Tiangco, Vicky Morales, and Emil Sumangil.
They are joined by segment hosts Iya Villana-Arellano (“Chika Minute”), Kim Atienza (“#KuyaKimAnoNa”), and Martin Javier (“Game Changer”), as well as the rest of the GMA Integrated News team, which brings reports from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as from other parts of the world.
In the past two decades, GMA Integrated News’s flagship newscast has shaped the news landscape of Philippine TV with its top-notch delivery of news and information to viewers and netizens. It continues to provide the public with information and public service through its news reports, special features, and exclusive stories and interviews.
“As 24 Oras celebrates two decades of delivering the news with integrity and dedication, the men and women of GMA Integrated News remain steadfast and true to our mission and calling: ‘Mas malaking misyon, mas malawak na paglilingkod sa bayan!’ Amid the changing times, 24 Oras will continue to strive to be the ‘News Authority ng Filipino,” says Senior Vice President for Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.
Looking Back
To kick off the newscast’s anniversary celebration, 24 Oras took viewers on a trip down memory lane on March 15, beginning with the program’s first broadcast airing date exactly 20 years ago.
As one of the pioneer anchors, Mel shared how nervous she was when she found out she was to work with the late Mike Enriquez for the network’s newest newscast.
“Naku! Nung nalaman ko na si Mike Enriquez ang magiging ka-partner ko, hala! Kumakabog, kabog, kabog!” she recalls.
Both Mel and Mike were previously at the helm of two separate newscasts back then: Mel for Frontpage: Ulat ni Mel Tiangco and Mike for the late-night newscast Saksi.
The idea to have Mel and Mike lead a new news program came from GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon.
“Ako talaga ang nakaisip niyan. Sinuggest ko ‘yun at sa awa ng Panginoon tinanggap naman ng manonood, nagustuhan. That’s one of the reasons why 24 Oras was number 1,” shares Gozon.
Such was the enormous challenge of making this newscast work back then.
“Mike Enriquez na, Mel Tiangco pa. So kailangan tapatan natin ng sipag at ng husay sa pagbibigay ng content para sa mga kababayan natin dahil nandun na yung mga credible sa industriya,” admits GMA Integrated News Assistant Vice President of News Cluster 1 Tonio Magsumbol.
24 Oras’ TV debut could not have come at a more crucial time in history. 2020 was a year of significant transition in Philippine history. Filipinos were to elect their next set of leaders, beginning with the most important position of all—the presidency.
The newscast stood its ground to be unbiased and nonpartisan since day one.
“Kahit sino ang presidente, objective tayo at neutral. Hindi naman tayo kumikiling kahit kanino at naiintindihan naman na kahit sino ang maging presidente, naiintindihan nila,” says Gozon. “Sapagkat ang balita kailangan credible lalong lalo na sa panahon ngayon napakaraming fake news. ‘Yan ang ating trademark at ‘yan ang ating minemaintain. Totoo ‘yan, hindi tagline lang.”
Philippines’ top evening newscast
Amid the changes and challenges in the TV news landscape, 24 Oras remains the Filipinos’ top choice of evening newscast, even taking over other programs in primetime.
It is the Philippines’ number one TV program of 2023 in Total Philippines (combined Urban and Rural) according to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement (TAM). From January to December 2023, 24 Oras tallied a combined people rating of 14.7 percent across GMA, GTV, I Heart Movies, and Pinoy Hits channels.