ABS-CBN, GMA Network both claim supremacy in TV ratings in Oct

MANILA, Philippines - The two biggest broadcasting companies in the country again claimed supremacy over the airwaves last month, citing data from different survey groups.

ABS-CBN Corp. has swept primetime TV viewership among Philippine households last October with an average national audience share of 42 percent versus rival GMA Network’s 30 percent, dominating four other key territories in the country, according to Kantar Media data.

GMA, on the other hand, said it has reinforced its leadership in nationwide ratings last month, according to data provided by ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Based on full October data (Oct. 23-31 based on overnight readings) nationwide, GMA disclosed that it posted an average of 35.3 total day (6 a.m.-12 m.n.) household audience share points, or an impressive 5.8-point lead over ABS-CBN’s 29.5; and a whopping 18.5-point margin over third-ranked TV5’s 16.8 points.

Using the assumption that there are five viewers per household, GMA’s lead would mean that it had about 1.1 million more viewers from all over the country than ABS-CBN; and 3.4 million more viewers than TV5 in October.  

In fact, GMA said it was the only television station that grew its ratings record across all timeblocks in the country’s key areas in October relative to September.

GMA pointed out that in contrast, competitor ABS-CBN dropped its nationwide ratings performance in all day parts — morning, afternoon, and primetime. TV5, on the other hand, showed no substantial month-on-month improvement in its ratings performance.

GMA’s strong win nationwide was most pronounced in the afternoon block, where it posted a double-digit advantage over its competitors in October.

GMA had 14 entries in the list of overall top 30 programs in National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM). Longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga, which ranked third on the list, was the only daytime program that made it to the top five. ABS-CBN’s counterpart program, Happy Yipee Yehey!, was nowhere in the said list.

Similarly, in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon (which comprises 77 percent of total television households nationwide) and Mega Manila (which comprises 58 percent of total television households nationwide), GMA registered impressive ratings performance from daytime until primetime in October.

In Urban Luzon, GMA finished the month with 38.9 share points, dominating ABS-CBN’s 25 points and TV5’s 17.8 points.

GMA’s lead over ABS-CBN translates to almost two million more viewers. Over TV5, GMA had about three million more viewers.

There were 18 GMA programs that made it to the list of overall top 30 programs in Urban Luzon: Eat Bulaga, Munting Heredera and Amaya garnered the top three spots. Other Kapuso programs that made it to the top 10 list were Kapuso Mo , Jessica Soho, 24 Oras, Iglot, Pepito Manaloto and Time of My Life.

In Mega Manila, GMA posted its highest margins in total day household audience share points with 39.8 as against ABS-CBN’s 23.2 points and TV5’s 18.8. In this bailiwick, GMA had 1.8 million more viewers than ABS-CBN; and 2.3 million more viewers than TV5.

There were also 18 GMA programs that made it to the top 30 programs in Mega Manila. Eat Bulaga, Munting Heredera, and Amaya were still the top three frontrunners. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Iglot, Time of My Life, 24 Oras and Pepito Manaloto likewise made it to the top 10 list.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN announced that it ruled the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 m.n.), when viewing levels peak and advertisers make most of their ad placements, in Metro Manila with an audience share of 35 percent as against GMA’s 33 percent as well as in Balance Luzon (areas in Luzon outside Mega Manila) with 44 percent compared to 30 percent.

In the Visayas and Mindanao, ABS-CBN widens its lead further. Sixty percent of Filipinos watch ABS-CBN shows in the Visayas as against only 19 percent who tune in to GMA. ABS-CBN’s lead further increased in Mindanao with a 61-percent audience share as against GMA’s 14 percent. 

ABS-CBN’s top caliber weekday and weekend programs, as well as one-time specials and launches, filled 14 out of the top 15 most watched programs during the month.

“100 Days to Heaven” continues to be the number one program among Filipino homes in the country with an average national TV rating of 32.4 percent, followed by weeknight tearjerker and first advocacy series “Budoy” with 27.9 percent.

“TV Patrol,” the country’s undisputed number one newscast, came in third place with an average TV rating of 27.1 percent, consistently beating rival “24 Oras,” which lagged behind at 20th spot with 18.8 percent.

Recently concluded talent-reality show “Pilipinas Got Talent,” which had the Maasinhon Trio as its third grand winner, ended on high note with an average national TV rating of 24.5 percent. Its final results night garnered an average national TV rating of 32 percent and even trended on Twitter worldwide.

Meanwhile, Kuya’s return on television via “Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited: The Big Fiesta” also made a strong entrance to the top 10 by instantly placing ninth during its launch with an average national TV rating of 22.9 percent.

Other Kapamilya shows in the top 15 are “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (26.5 percent), “My Binondo Girl” (25.8 percent), “Rated K” (25.5 percent), “Top Rank Live” (25.4 percent), “Junior Masterchef Pinoy Edition” (22.7 percent), “Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited Weekend” (22.4 percent), “Wansapanataym” (22.1 percent, “Maria La Del Barrio” (21.2 percent), and “Nasaan Ka Elisa?” (21 percent).