GMA Network stretches nationwide ratings lead

MANILA, Philippines - GMA Network has stretched its lead in nationwide TV ratings for the month of April, according to data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Based on the April ratings data, GMA posted an average total day household audience share of 35.5 points in National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), ahead of main rival ABS-CBN’s 29.4 points and TV5’s 15 points. 

Using an estimate of five viewers per household, GMA’s margins translate to more than one million viewers over ABS-CBN and almost 3.6 million viewers over TV5 nationwide, Nielsen said.

In total urban Luzon, which comprises 77 percent of total urban television households nationwide, GMA recorded double-digit margins over its competitors for the period. GMA registered 39.2 household audience share points, 13.8 points ahead of ABS-CBN’s 25.4 points and 24.8 points ahead of TV5’s 14.4.

Converted to viewers, GMA had over 1.8 million and over 3.3 million viewer advantage over ABS-CBN and TV5, respectively, in the said area.

In its bailiwick Mega Manila, which makes up 59 percent of total urban television households nationwide, GMA hit 40.3 audience share points, posting double-digit point-wide margins over ABS-CBN’s 24.1 points and TV5’s 15.1 points. 

GMA’s margins translate to over 1.7 million and over 2.7 million viewers over ABS-CBN and TV5, respectively.

GMA’s programming also managed six and eight entries in the lists of overall top 10 programs in Total Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, respectively. GMA’s Holy Week slate was also a commendable winner nationwide.

GMA hit P1.7 billion in net income in 2011 amid cutbacks in the advertising budget of top multinationals in 2011. ABS-CBN, meanwhile, excluding the one-time gain on sale of Sky Cable worth P1.1 billion, managed only P1.3 billion.

GMA subscribes to the Nielsen TV Audience Measurement along with 21 companies including two other local networks, namely, TV5 and Solar Entertainment; Faulkner Media; CBN Asia; 14 advertising agencies and three regional clients.