TV5 sees 2013 as a “stronger year” and will spend P6 billion to launch new programs and complete its newest studio center in Mandaluyong City.

 “I think we should do better this year. Better programming, better talents and better revenues,” said Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of TV5 operator ABC Development Corp. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

The network will spend P6 billion this year to launch new programs and complete a state-of-the-art Media Center.

“Coming off our strong performance in the last quarter of 2012, specifically in Visayas and Mindanao, we are looking at a more competitive, more energetic, more innovative TV5 this coming year. We continue to build on our success with a wider and clearer broadcast coverage across the country and we want to duplicate these in our overseas operations as well” Pangilinan said.

He was referring to TV5’s strong finish in fourth quarter of 2012 where it overtook GMA Network in six viewer-rich metro cities, where a total of four million viewers reside, according to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s all-week overnight data.

“Beyond geography, we’re taking TV5 one step ahead toward becoming a full media venture,” Pangilinan added.

The network’s current 19 TV and five radio stations around the country cover 88.6 percent of the national urban population, and is poised to reach 100-percent target by the end of this year. TV 5 global channels Kapatid TV5 and AksyonTV International, through its affiliate Pilipinas Global Network Ltd., also reach overseas Filipinos in 79 countries and territories in four continents and bring them closer to home.