GMA Network widens Mega Manila ratings in October

MANILA, Philippines - GMA Network Inc. further widened its TV ratings lead in October over chief rival ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. in viewer-rich Metro Manila area, according to the latest Nielsen TV Audience Measurement survey.

The survey showed GMA chalked up 37.4 points in audience share in Mega Manila, or 8.7 points higher than ABS-CBN’s 28.7 points. Its TV audience ratings have been steadily rising since August, the survey noted

The broadcast firm also saw its ratings rise in Urban Luzon, notching 35.9 points or an increase of 4.7 percentage points from ABS-CBN’s 31.2 points. Urban Luzon comprises 77 percent of the total television households nationwide. From a 0.4-point lead in audience share in July, GMA’s lead climbed 2.4 points in August and three points in September.

GMA said 14 of its shows occupied the list of the 25 most-watched programs on television in Metro Manila, with seven of its primetime offerings making it to the top 10.

In the nine months ending September this year, GMA posted net earnings of P2.27 billion, up six percent on the back of an eight percent increase in revenues to P10.88 billion.

The growth in GMA’s top line was backed by the accumulation of airtime revenues from media platforms and subscription revenues from international operations, which overtook last year’s performance.

Revenues from flagship station Channel 7 rose seven percent to P9.26 while UHF station QTV Channel II registered a 10 percent hike in revenues to P346 million.