TV networks each claim ratings lead in January 2019

MANILA, Philippines — TV network rivals ABS-CBN and GMA have kicked off the year on a high note, each claiming to have won the nationwide ratings battle in January.

In their respective statements, ABS-CBN said it opened the new year as the most watched TV network nationwide, while GMA said it continued to be the viewers’ top choice last month following its ratings success in 2018.

Using data from multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media, ABS-CBN said it recorded an average audience share of 45 percent in January versus GMA’s 30 percent.

Meanwhile, GMA said it posted an average total day people audience share of 37.8 percent last month compared to ABS-CBN’s 35.9 percent based on data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

ABS-CBN said it won in urban and rural homes across the country, with an average audience share of 44 percent in Metro Manila versus GMA’s 23 percent.

The “kapamilya” network also reported higher viewership in Mega Manila with 37 percent compared to GMA’s 28 percent.

ABS-CBN also claimed to have huge leads over its rival in total Luzon with 40 percent, in total Visayas with 54 percent, and in Mindanao with 55 percent.

 “Nine of the top 10 most watched programs in January came from ABS-CBN, led by perennial top-rater FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” ABS-CBN said.

GMA, for its part, said it was consistently at the forefront of the ratings game last month in the viewer-rich areas of urban Luzon and mega Manila, which respectively account for 72 and 60 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

GMA reported an average total day people audience share of 41.9 percent in Urban Luzon versus ABS-CBN’s 30.1 percent.

In mega Manila, the network said it tallied an average total day people audience share of 43.7 percent, versus the competition’s 26.8 percent.

“Kapuso shows likewise ruled in Nielsen’s NUTAM list of top-rating programs for January with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho reigning supreme in the highly-coveted number one spot,” GMA said.