Heart of Asia Channel
Heart of Asia Channel, known on-air as Heart of Asia, is a Philippine free-to-air television channel owned by GMA Network Inc. The channel was on test broadcast from June 12–28, 2020; and was officially launched on June 29, 2020. It operates Mondays to Fridays from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM and Saturdays and Sundays from 6:00 AM to 12:00 MN. Overview. Background. Heart of Asia channel's name is inspired by and similar to the programming block of the same title, which airs Filipino-dubbed "Asianovelas" (a local term for dramas produced in  Asian countries) from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey. It airs well-loved Asian dramas and movies that also air on its sister channels, GMA and GTV (formerly QTV/Q and GMA News TV), mixed with local dramas that were formerly broadcast on GMA, as well as local and foreign movies. Plans. In 2019, GMA Network, Inc. has announced its plans to invest for its second phase its transition to digital television, including partnering with South Korean entertainment company JungoTV and Philippine conglomerate PLDT-Smart to distribute content in across all its channels. In preparation of releasing  a self-patented digital television box named GMA Affordabox, and as part of its 70th founding anniversary, GMA Network launched a new channel, Heart of Asia, which its plans to include in their digital channel lineup of DZBB-DTV Channel 15. Launch. On June 7, 2020, GMA Network aired an announcement advising audiences to re-scan their digital TV boxes on June 12, 2020, to receive their new lineup which includes GMA, GMA News TV and Heart of Asia Channel. The channel plans to air dramas shown on GMA Network's "Heart of Asia" and "FantaSeries" programming blocks, as well  as GMA-produced drama programs previously aired on cable/satellite channel Fox Filipino, jointly run with Fox Networks Group, and also airing movies with multiple blocks to separate every themes of films. Heart of Asia Channel first aired on June 12, 2020, in a "Test Broadcast". It airs provisional programs while airing promotional plugs for the upcoming programs with its assigned blocks. The channel was launched on June 29 to a regular programming. Development. In December 2020, Heart of Asia Channel launched its first Christmas station ID entitled ""Punong Puno ng Puso Ang Pasko"" sung by Anthony Rosaldo and Hannah  Precillas. The two also performed the ""Heart of Summer"" as its first Summer station ID launched in March 2021. In May 2021, the Heart of Asia Channel launched its official Twitter and Facebook pages on social media platforms. On June 12, 2021, Heart of Asia Channel celebrate its first anniversary with a new slogan ""Heart of Asia, ang Nasa Puso ng Bawat Pilipino."" A movie block "Asian CineMix" was also added on June 7, interim replaced by "ATINovelas" block (took a short hiatus). On July 5, 2021, the "ATINovelas" block returned with "Temptation of Wife" and then July 19 with  Because of You and "Adarna". At the same time, "Asian CineMix" movie block were moved to Sunday timeslot replacing "Screams on Screen". On December 17, 2021, Heart of Asia Channel launched its 2nd Christmas station ID entitled "Love Wins Ngayong Pasko" performed by the same artists. On January 10, 2022, Heart of Asia Channel stopped airing simulcasts of GMA Telebabad programs, reverting back its normal program schedule, the first after 10 months. On March 14, 2022, Heart of Asia Channel's first exclusive Asianovela offering on premiere telecast entitled "Princess Weiyoung", a 2016 Chinese historical drama, aired for the first  time on Philippine Digital Free TV. On April 2, 2022, Heart of Asia Channel's began airing telenovelas all over the world entitled "Heart of the World" block. It airs every Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons, the first offering is a Spanish-language American telenovela, "La Doña". Programming. Heart of Asia programs are divided into various programming blocks: Ratings. According to GMA Network's CEO and Chairman Felipe L. Gozon, the Heart of Asia channel ranked fifth in the ratings scoreboard, garnering a 4.9% audience share during the first quarter of 2021.