GMA Network retains TV ratings lead nationwide in first quarter

MANILA, Philippines - GMA Network Inc. kept its TV ratings lead nationwide at the end of the first quarter, according to the latest survey by data firm AGB Nielsen.

Based on household data in National Urban Philippines, GMA garnered an average audience share of 33.7 percent or 1.9 points ahead of ABS-CBN’s 31.8 percent and 18.5 percent higher than TV5’s 15.2 percent.

In the whole of Luzon, which accounts for 77 percent of total television households nationwide, GMA logged an audience share of 37.2 percent as against ABS-CBN’s 26.8 percent and 17.1 percent of TV5.

In the viewer-rich Mega Manila area, which makes up 58 percent of the total televisions households in the the whole country, GMA posted a 13.1-point lead over ABS-CBN with 38.3 percent and 25.2 percent, respectively. TV5, on the other hand, claimed a 17.9 percent audience share.

In March, GMA tightened its grip on the number one spot on national free-to-air television amid competition brought by ABS-CBN and TV5, which ranked second and third, respectively. Based on National Urban Philippines full March household data covering March 27 to 31 overnight ratings, GMA clinched 34 percent in audience share, 2.2 percent higher than ABS-CBN’s 31.8 percent and 18.2 percent above TV5’s 15.8 percent.

Of the top 30 programs in National Urban Philippines, 17 programs were from GMA.

The Nielsen TV Audience Measurement is used by 21 companies including two other local TV networks, namely, TV5 and Solar Entertainment; Faulkner Media; CBN Asia; 13 advertising agencies and three regional clients.

On the other hand, ABS-CBN is the only local network reportedly subscribing to Kantar Media, formerly known as TNS.