Viva Communications Explained

Viva Communications Inc.
Trade Name:Viva Entertainment Inc.
Type:Private
Industry:Conglomerate
Predecessors:-->
Successors:-->
Founder:
Hq Location:7/F East Tower, Tektite Towers,[1] Exchange Road
Hq Location City:Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Hq Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:
  • Vicente del Rosario Jr.
  • Vincent del Rosario
  • Valerie S. del Rosario
Brands:
Services:
Revenue: 4.9 million
Revenue Year:2023
Profit:-->
Profit Year:-->
Owners:-->
Num Employees:370
Num Employees Year:2023
Divisions:
  • Viva Artists Agency
  • Viva Digital
  • Viva Interactive
  • Viva Live
  • Viva Networks
  • Viva Sports
Subsid:

Viva Communications Inc., also known as Viva Entertainment Inc. and simply Viva (stylized in all caps)[2] is a Philippine multinational private conglomerate headquartered in Ortigas Center, Pasig. It was founded in 1981 by Vic del Rosario Jr. and his sister Tess Cruz.[3]

History

Viva Communications was founded on November 11, 1981, by Vic del Rosario Jr. and his sister Tess Cruz, originally incorporated as Viva Films, a film production studio located in New Manila, Quezon City to produce the films.[4] In 1988, the company established Viva Television, which was followed by Viva Records in 1986.[3]

In 1997, VCI established its own talent agency, Viva Artists Agency (VAA).[5]

In 1999, the company acquired Vintage Television (VTV) following the effects of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, making the Velez group being part of VCI. In February 2000, Vintage Television was renamed as Viva TV, a primetime sports and entertainment programming block on IBC, which ran until March 1, 2003.[6]

In 2013, Viva Communications acquired PSICOM Publishing Inc. from the Gabriel family, and later renamed as Viva PSICOM Publishing Corporation.[7]

In 2016, VCI established its food and beverage division, Viva International Food and Restaurants, with the grand opening of Botejyu restaurant in the Philippines, with its first store at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay.[8]

In 2019, Viva Communications joined the local-language film consortium Globalgate Entertainment, which is led by American mini-major film studio Lionsgate.[9]

On January 29, 2021, VCI launched its own video on demand streaming platform, Vivamax.[10]

On January 29, 2023, during the second anniversary of Vivamax, the company launched its second streaming platform, Viva Prime, later renamed Viva One in February.[11]

Divisions

Viva Communications Inc. (VCI)

Viva Music Group (VMG)

Viva Music Group Inc.
Trade Name:Viva Music Group
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Music
Predecessors:-->
Successors:-->
Hq Location:7/F East Tower, Tektite Towers, Exchange Road
Hq Location City:Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Hq Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Worldwide
Products:Music albums
Services:Music publishing
Profit:-->
Profit Year:-->
Owners:-->
Parent:Viva Communications
Divisions:

Viva Publishing Group Inc. (Viva Books)

Viva Publishing Group Inc.
Trade Name:Viva Books
Former Name:PSICOM Publishing Inc. (1990–2013)
Industry:Publishing
Predecessors:-->
Successors:-->
Founder:Arnel Jose Gabriel
Hq Location City:Quezon City, Metro Manila
Hq Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Worldwide
Profit:-->
Profit Year:-->
Owners:-->
Parent:Viva Communications (2013–present)
Divisions:
  • Viva PSICOM Publishing Corporation
  • Viva Starmometer Publishing Corporation
  • VRJ Books Publishing

Viva International Food and Restaurants Inc. (Viva Foods)

Viva International Food and Restaurants Inc.
Trade Name:Viva Foods
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Restaurant
Predecessors:-->
Successors:-->
Hq Location:7/F East Tower, Tektite Towers, Exchange Road
Hq Location City:Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Hq Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Philippines
Profit:-->
Profit Year:-->
Owners:-->
Parent:Viva Communications
Divisions:
  • Botejyu
  • Paper Moon Cake Boutique
  • Pepi Cubano
  • Yogorino
  • Wing Zone

Notable brands and subsidiaries

Viva Networks

Viva Networks
Type:Division
Founder:Vicente del Rosario Jr.
Location:7/F East Tower, Tektite Towers, Exchange Road
Location City:Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Television
Products:Pay television
Services:Television channels
Parent:Viva Communications

Viva Networks is the cable television division of Viva Communications, that was established in 2003. It operates cable channels, including PBO, Viva Cinema, Viva TV Plus, Tagalized Movie Channel and Celestial Movies Pinoy.

Pinoy Box Office

See main article: Pinoy Box Office.

Viva Cinema

See main article: Viva Cinema.

Viva TV Plus

Viva TV Plus (formerly known as Viva TV) is a Philippine international television channel owned by Viva Communications, that was launched in 2005. The channel broadcasts 24/7.

Halo Halo Radio

Ultimate Entertainment Inc.
Type:Subsidiary
Location City:Cebu City, Cebu
Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Philippines
Industry:Media
Services:Radio broadcasting
Products:Halo-Halo Radio
Parent:Viva Communications
Network Name:Halo-Halo Radio
Country:Philippines
Available:Nationwide
Network Type:Broadcast FM radio network (Contemporary MOR, Music)
Owner:Viva Communications
Parent:Ultimate Entertainment Inc.

Halo Halo Radio is a brand name for Viva's radio stations. It was launched as Oomph! Radio before the end of 2014 following the acquisition of Ultimate Entertainment and its FM stations (but spun-off its concert/theatrical production arm and became Ultimate Shows, which remained owned by the Manalang family), thus it is Viva's new venture into radio broadcasting. Its format playlist consisted of local and international songs.

In May 2016, Viva Live briefly dropped the Oomph! Radio brand and went to an independent branding among stations by adding 70s, 80s and 90s music to its playlist, despite retaining its format and the Ultimate Radio name. In July 2016, however, Viva Live brought back the Oomph! Radio brand and its Top 40/OPM format. In February 2017, the Oomph! Radio brand was dropped permanently due to management decision.

In May 2017, Oomph! Radio was relaunched as Halo Halo Radio, an all-OPM station. With this launch, Halo Halo Radio became the de facto provincial counterpart of Manila-based Pinas FM 95.5 (a radio station of Tagalog: [[Iglesia ni Cristo]]|italic=no's for-profit broadcast arm Eagle Broadcasting Corporation), the country's first all OPM radio station.

Halo Halo Radio stations

Branding Callsign Frequency Power (kW) Coverage
Halo Halo 105.1 CebuDYUR 105.1 MHz 10 kW Cebu City
DXUR 97.1 MHz 10 kW Davao City
Halo Halo 103.5 ZamboangaDXUE 103.5 MHz 10 kW

Viva Video

Viva Video Inc.
Trade Name:Viva Video
Former Name:Viva Home Entertainment (1994–1998)
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Home entertainment
Predecessors:-->
Successors:-->
Hq Location:7/F East Tower, Tektite Towers, Exchange Road
Hq Location City:Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Hq Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Worldwide
Products:Home video releases
Profit:-->
Profit Year:-->
Owners:-->
Parent:Viva Communications

Viva Video Inc. (formerly Viva Home Entertainment, doing business as Viva Video) is the exclusive distributor of video products for local and international studios in the Philippines. Viva Video is the home video affiliate of Viva Communications Inc.

Viva Video is the home video and DVD distribution arm of Viva Communications with the exclusive distributor of video products including films and television series.

The company releases titles from the film and television library of Viva Films, as well as programs from other Viva Entertainment companies. Currently, they also serve as the distributor for television and/or movie product licensed by Nickeloedeon, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, 20th Century Studios Home Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Big Idea Productions (makers of VeggieTales DVDs), Turner Entertainment Co., Cookie Jar Entertainment (partnership with DIC Entertainment from 1994 until 2008), Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (since 2014, distribution of Disney material had shifted to Magnavision Home Video), Skyfilms, Nine Network (makers of Hi-5 DVDs), Summit Entertainment, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Sesame Workshop (makers of Sesame Street), HIT Entertainment, and MGA Entertainment internationally for the Philippine market, and local products from Viva Films, Star Cinema, GMA Pictures, APT Entertainment, OctoArts Films, Regal Entertainment, Solar Entertainment, Cignal TV#Cignal Entertainment, FPJ Productions and Pioneer Films.

Viva Video holds licenses for:

Local

International

Video City

Video City
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video rental
Predecessors:-->
Successors:-->
Founder:Vicente del Rosario Jr.
Fate:Closed
Hq Location City:Quezon City, Metro Manila
Hq Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Philippines
Products:Home video rentals
Profit:-->
Profit Year:-->
Owners:-->
Parent:Viva Communications

Video City was the video retail affiliate of Viva Video, the home video unit of Viva Communications, Inc. As of 2015, all of the stores in the country are closed.

Viva Sports

Viva Sports is a sports division of Viva Communications that was launched in 1996 showcases the previous boxing fights of Manny Pacquiao as Blow By Blow aired on IBC 13 & Viva Boxing Greats on RPN 9 & also the throwback episodes of a basketball coverage of PBA and a billiards game of Efren Bata Reyes, Dennis Orcollo, Antonio Gabica and Francisco Bustamante.

Viva Artists Agency

Viva Artists Agency Inc.
Trade Name:Viva Artists Agency
Type:Division
Founder:7/F East Tower, Tektite Towers, Exchange Road
Location City:Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Location Country:Philippines
Area Served:Philippines
Industry:Talent agency
Products:Music and entertainment
Services:Talent management
Parent:Viva Communications

Viva Artists Agency Inc. (VAA) is a talent agency owned by Viva Communications that was founded in 1997. The agency is currently headed by Veronique del Rosario-Corpus.

Vivamax

Vivamax
Type:OTT video on demand streaming platform
Location:7/F East Tower, Tektite Towers, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Country Of Origin:Philippines
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Entertainment
Owner:Viva Communications
Parent:Viva Digital
Advertising:Yes
Registration:Required
Language:Filipino
Current Status:Active

Vivamax (stylized in lowercase) is a Philippine pornographic subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned and operated by Viva Communications, that was launched on January 29, 2021. The service mainly distributes television series and films produced by Viva.

Vivamax is one of the major video on demand streaming service in the world, along with Netflix, Viu, Viki, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Max, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video and iWantTFC.

Viva One

Former Name:Viva Prime (2023)
Viva One
Type:OTT video on demand streaming platform
Location:7/F East Tower, Tektite Towers, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila
Country Of Origin:Philippines
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Entertainment
Owner:Viva Communications
Parent:Viva Digital
Advertising:Yes
Registration:Required
Language:Filipino
Current Status:Active

Viva One (formerly Viva Prime) is a Philippine subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned and operated by Viva Communications, that was launched on January 29, 2023. It is the second video on demand streaming service of the company after Vivamax.

Viva-Psicom Publishing

Viva PSICOM Publishing Corporation (Viva PSICOM) is a publishing company jointly owned by Viva Communications and the Gabriel family. It was founded in 1990 by Arnel Jose Gabriel as a small desktop publisher, which later evolved into publishing the first Filipino wholly owned trade newspaper, the now-defunct Philippine IT Update.

The company, then known as PSICOM, rose to fame through the Diary ng Panget tetralogy authored by HaveYouSeenThisGirL.

In August 2013, Viva Communications acquired 50% of the company stocks, and it was later renamed as Viva-Psicom.

Products

Magazines
Horror
Books by well-known authors
Wattpad
Japanese manga
Other genres

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Gabinete. Jojo. Past and present stars ng Viva, binigyang pugay sa pamamagitan ng Wall of Fame. January 27, 2024. PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc.. November 11, 2021. Filipino, English.
  2. Web site: Tomada . Nathalie . November 11, 2021 . Viva celebrates 40 years, plans to go public . July 7, 2022 . Philstar.com.
  3. Web site: About Viva Communications. viva.com.ph. February 5, 2024.
  4. Book: CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Volume VIII - Philippine Film. 1994. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 971-8546-23-5. 335. September 17, 2022.
  5. Web site: Viva Artists Agency. vivaartistsagency.ph. February 7, 2016. February 5, 2024.
  6. Web site:
    1. FlashBackFriday: Viva TV on IBC-13 (2000–2003)
    . Facebook. February 11, 2021. February 4, 2024.
  7. Web site: Different publishers in the Philippines. WordPress.com. February 7, 2016. February 4, 2024.
  8. Web site: Botejyu in SM MOA. primer.com.ph. May 8, 2018. February 4, 2024.
  9. Web site: Lionsgate's GlobalGate Adds Philippines' Viva Communications. Variety. Dave McNary. Dave McNary. March 13, 2019. February 4, 2024.
  10. News: Pingol. Anna. Viva to launch VIVAMAX, the country's biggest Filipino streaming platform. February 4, 2024. Pikapika.ph. September 17, 2020. English, Filipino.
  11. Web site: Viva Prime, pang-GP na streaming platform na Viva, ilulunsad sa January 2023. December 21, 2022. February 5, 2024. PEP.ph . tl.