Battle of networks: GMA, ABS-CBN both claiming leadership in ratings war

RIVAL broadcasters GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. claimed separately on Tuesday that they led the ratings war in different areas, with the latter asserting dominance across the Philippines, while the former claimed dominance in its bailiwick areas in the Greater Manila Area.

Citing data from Neilsen TV Audience Measurement, the Gozon-led network said it beat its main competitor by a hairline difference with a 31.8-percent average audience share in Urban Luzon versus its rival’s 31.7-percent share.

In Mega Manila, it scored an average of 32.4 percent, a 3.3-point difference versus the Lopez-led network’s 29.1 percent.

Urban Luzon accounts for 72 percent of all all urban TV viewers in the country, while Mega Manila represents 60 percent of all urban households in the Philippines.

GMA, likewise, led the afternoon block at 33.3 percent versus its competitor’s 32.2 percent; and the evening block, where it recorded an average audience share of 33.9 percent versus the competitor’s 33.4 percent.

Cementing its spot as the highest-rating show in Urban Luzon's top programs list was Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS). The award-winning magazine program likewise ranked number one in National Urban Philippines.

Joining KMJS as the Network's ratings drivers for the month were 24 Oras, Sahaya, Magpakailanman, Studio 7, Daddy's Gurl, Pepito Manaloto, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, StarStruck and The Better Woman.

Completing the list of most-watched Kapuso shows were Love You Two, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Amazing Earth, The Boobay and Tekla Show, Unang Hirit, Mars Pa More, Eat Bulaga, 24 Oras Weekend, Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko, Tadhana, Bihag, Prima Donnas, Dahil sa Pag-ibig, Wowowin, Wish Ko Lang and Imbestigador.

In a separate statement, ABS-CBN said it continued to be the No. 1 network in the country with an average national audience share of 45 percent versus GMA’s 31-percent share in August, citing data from Kantar Media.

The Lopez-led entertainment and multimedia conglomerate also claimed leadership in Metro Manila and Mega Manila, where it scored an average audience share of 41 percent and 36 percent, respectively, against GMA’s 25 percent and 31-percent share.

ABS-CBN also attracted more viewers than GMA in other areas. It won the ratings game in Total Luzon with an average total-day audience share of 41 percent, versus GMA’s 34 percent; in Total Visayas with 55 percent versus GMA’s 24 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 52 percent, versus GMA’s 28 percent.

ABS-CBN also claimed it fared better against GMA in all time blocks. In the morning block it scored an average share of 39 percent versus its rival’s 29 percent; while maintaining its lead in the noontime block at 46 percent versus the competition’s 32 percent, and the afternoon block at 47 percent versus its rival’s 33 percent.

It also sustained a 48-percent share in the prime-time block versus GMA’s 31-percent share.

Nine ABS-CBN shows occupied the top 10 most-watched programs in August with “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” keeping its number 1 spot with 35.8 percent ratings.

ABS-CBN also claimed the lead in the noontime segment with It’s Showtime which, ABS-CBN said, had regained the top slot from Eat Bulaga, which airs on GMA.

ABS-CBN said It’s Showtime had an audience share of 34.2 percent against Eat Bulaga’s 31.2 percent.

Eat Bulaga, a long-running show, saw its ratings in 2019 bolstered to new records due to the popular segments Juan for All, All for Juan, Kalyeserye, Little Miss Philippines, That’s My Boy, Feeling Pogi, and Rush 4 Win Philippines: Slippery Stairs.

New reality-talent show The Voice Kids, The General's Daughter, the recently concluded drama series Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa and Hiwaga ng Kambat, Maalaala Mo Kaya, the recently-concluded Pinoy Big Brother: Otso, new reality show I Can See Your Voice, Gandang Gabi Vice, Tonight with Boy Abunda, Bandila, TV Patrol, Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet, Rated K, Umagang Kay Ganda, Magandang Buhay, Nang Ngumiti ang Langit, Kadenang Ginto, SOCO, Kuha Mo, Los Bastardos and new drama series The Killer Bride were also part of the top 10, data showed.

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.

GMA bases its claims to leadership from Nielsen data, which has a nationwide sample size of 3,500 urban and rural homes.

The Lopez-led network sources its data from Kantar Media, which uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/04/battle-of-networks-gma-abs-cbn-both-claiming-leadership-in-ratings-war/