ABS-CBN, GMA dominate TV ratings anew

MANILA, Philippines — TV network rivals ABS-CBN and GMA both claimed to dominate the nationwide ratings battle in 2018.

ABS-CBN said more Filipinos preferred watching its programs as it topped all TV networks in urban and rural areas nationwide last year, while GMA said it capped off another successful year by continuing to lead in nationwide ratings throughout 2018.

Citing data from multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media, ABS-CBN said it gained an average audience share of 45 percent for the whole year against GMA’s 32 percent.

GMA, on the other hand, said the network tallied 40.8 percent total day people audience share from January to December 2018 compared to ABS-CBN’s 37.5 percent based on Nielsen’s National Urban Television Audience Measurement.

Last year, ABS-CBN said it was the network of choice by Filipinos in Metro Manila, where it scored an average audience share of 42 percent versus GMA’s 26 percent.

The network said it also started gaining ground last year in Mega Manila and capped off the year by registering an average audience share of 36 percent versus GMA’s 34 percent.

ABS-CBN also reported huge ratings leads in other territories, including Luzon (40 percent), Visayas (53 percent), and Mindanao (52 percent).

“Aside from radio and television, ABS-CBN has also become the leader in the local music, film, cable TV, and publishing industries and is also the pioneer of digital television in the country,” the media giant said.

GMA, for its part, said it was the most watched station in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila last year, winning across all day parts including the hotly contested primetime block.