ABS-CBN, GMA dispute lead in TV ratings

MANILA, Philippines — TV network giant ABS-CBN claimed nationwide ratings lead last month, while rival network GMA said it ruled Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.

ABS-CBN yesterday said it kept a solid grip on its position as the most-watched TV network in the country as data from Kantar Media in September revealed it posted a national TV rating of 45 percent versus  ’s 31 percent.

The network said Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

ABS-CBN said it continued to top urban areas, with a commanding 41 percent share in Metro Manila compared to GMA’s 25 percent, and 36 percent over GMA’s 32 percent in Mega Manila.

It said it also dominated the rural areas, winning in Total Luzon with 41 percent, Total Visayas with 57 percent, and Total Mindanao with 51 percent.

GMA, meanwhile, said it firmly held the top spot in the TV ratings competition in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila last month based on the latest data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

GMA said it recorded an average of 31.7 percent total day people audience share compared to ABS-CBN’s 30.7 percent in Urban Luzon, a viewer-rich area which accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country.

The network said it also won in Mega Manila, which accounts for 60 percent of all urban viewers in the country, with a 31.7 percent average total day people audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 28.1 percent.

GMA said more shows from the network also made it to Mega Manila’s top programs list with 18 out of the top 30 shows.