ABS-CBN, most preferred network for news and entertainment in March

More Filipino households in the country prefer watching ABS-CBN’s news and entertainment programs.

This is according to data from Kantar Media for March that showed nine out of the top ten most watched programs nationwide were produced by ABS-CBN. The Kapamilya Network also scored an average audience share of 46% among urban and rural homes in the country, a 12-point lead over GMA’s audience share of 34%.

“FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” is still the most watched entertainment program, hitting an average national TV rating of 39.9%. Filipinos are still hooked on the series’ action-packed plot that not only teaches them good values but also promotes crime awareness.

When it comes to news, primetime newscast “TV Patrol” remains as the most watched news program in the country with an average national TV rating of 30.7% versus “24 Oras,” which only recorded 19.8%. More Filipinos tune in to the timely and relevant stories delivered by “TV Patrol” led by anchors Noli De Castro, Bernadette Sembrano, and Ted Failon.

Korina Sanchez’s “Rated K,” meanwhile, topped all current affairs programs with an average national TV rating of 24.1%.

Primetime Bida teleseryes “My Dear Heart” (28.7%), “Wildflower” (21%), and “A Love to Last” (17.9%) also made it to the top 10 as they continue to captivate viewers with different stories about love and family. Heart’s family keeps holding on to their faith that their little angel will soon get well in “My Dear Heart,” Ivy carries on with her quest to seek justice for her parents and save Poblacion Ardiente from the ruling oligarch family in “Wildflower,” and Anton and Andeng continue to fight for their love in hopes of winning the hearts of their respective families.

Viewers also watched the heartwarming and inspiring stories of Filipinos overcoming struggles in “MMK” (31.1%) as well as the relevant dramatization of real-life cases that teach them their legal rights in “Ipaglaban Mo” (19.8%).

The values-laden and modern fantasy stories brought by “Wansapanataym” is also a hit, especially among young viewers, as it garnered an average national TV rating of 36.8%.
ABS-CBN’s comedy and talent-variety shows “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” (35.6%), “Home Sweetie Home” (26.3%), “It’s Showtime (Saturday)” (23.8%), and “Goin Bulilit” (22.5%) did not get left behind as they continue to provide bonding opportunities for the family.
ABS-CBN once again ruled primetime (6PM-12MN), where it scored an average audience share of 50% compared to GMA’s 33%. The primetime block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.

ABS-CBN also beat GMA in March in other areas. More viewers tuned in to the Kapamilya network in Total Balance Luzon with an average national audience share of 47% versus GMA’s 35%, in Total Luzon with 42% versus GMA’s 36%, in Total Visayas with 53% versus GMA’s 29%, and in Total Mindanao with 55% versus GMA’s 30%.

ABS-CBN, GMA continue to claim ratings leadership

Rivals ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. both claimed to have won the nationwide television (TV) ratings game in March.

In a statement yesterday, ABS-CBN said it remained the leader in nationwide TV ratings through its 46 percent audience share compared to GMA’s 34 percent, based on data from Kantar Media.

Kantar Media’s data was based on a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

ABS-CBN said it ruled the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 a.m.) with an average audience share of 50 percent, compared to GMA’s 33 percent in March.

The primetime block is the most important part of the day as this is when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put bulk of their advertising budget.

Aside from primetime, ABS-CBN also had more viewers in the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 noon) with an audience share of 39 percent versus GMA’s 33 percent, in the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.) with 47 percent versus GMA’s 34 percent, and in the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) with 45 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent.

ABS-CBN said it was also the winner in Total Balance Luzon where it recorded an average audience share of 47 percent compared to GMA’s 35 percent, as well as in Total Luzon with 42 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent, in Total Visayas with 53 percent versus GMA’s 29 percent, and in Total Mindanao with 55 percent versus GMA’s 30 percent.

Of the 10 most watched programs in March, nine were from ABS-CBN, with “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” topping the list, followed by “Langit Lupa,” “The Better Half,” “The Greatest Love,” “Wansapanataym,” “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids,” “MMK,” “I Can Do That,” “TV Patrol,” “Wildflower,” “My Dear Heart,” “A Love to Last,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” “Bandila,” “Home Sweetie Home,” “Rated K,” and “It’s Showtime (Saturday).”

Meanwhile, GMA said it was ahead of competition based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s National Urban Television Audience Measurement with a 41.7 percent people audience share, higher than ABS-CBN’s 36.3 percent.

Based on National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) data, seven out of the top 10 programs were on GMA.

GMA ruled across all day parts in NUTAM including the hotly contested primetime block.

Primetime telefantasya series “Encantadia” remains to be the most watched program nationwide bagging the top spot. Also among the top five of the list are Kapuso programs “Magpakailanman” and “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”

Also included in the list of top programs nationwide were “Destined To Be Yours,” “Pepito Manaloto,” “24 Oras,” “Hay Bahay,” “Meant To Be,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Tsuperhero,” “Ika-6 na Utos,” “Legally Blind,” “Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa,” “24 Oras Weekend,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Sunday PinaSaya,” “Full House Tonight” and “Case Solved.”

The Kapuso Network also dominated competition in Urban Luzon.

The network's media website, www.abs-cbn.com, breached three billion page views and averaged 40.3 million monthly users in March, becoming the biggest local website in the country. It also ranked fourth after global giants Facebook, YouTube, and Google, according to web traffic data and analytics site Alexa.

As March, ABS-CBN TVplus has sold 2.6 million boxes nationwide, highlighting the network's shift to digital services.

The top five most watched programs on iWant TV last month were "A Love to Last," "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,' "Wildflower," "The Greatest Love," and "Love in the Moonlight."

The company reported consolidated revenue of P41.6 billion for 2016, bringing its net income to P3.5 billion, 39 percent higher than the P2.5 billion reported in 2015.