ABS-CBN, GMA claim TV ratings lead in November

MANILA, Philippines — Broadcast giant ABS-CBN claimed to be the most-watched network nationwide last month, while rival network GMA said it maintained TV ratings leadership in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.

ABS-CBN said it kept a tight hold of viewers nationwide in November, with data from Kantar Media showing it earned a TV audience share of 42 percent versus GMA’s 30 percent.

ABS-CBN 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.

Using data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA for its part said it posted an average of 33.3 percent total day people audience share in Urban Luzon compared to its rival’s 29.6 percent.

GMA said the viewer-rich area accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country.

ABS-CBN, however, said it led Total Luzon with 38 percent over GMA’s 32 percent. It also claimed to have dominated Total Visayas with 52 percent and Total Mindanao with 47 percent versus its rival’s 23 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

In Mega Manila, GMA said it recorded 33.9 percent average total day people audience share as compared to ABS-CBN’s 27 percent.

It said the network’s shows took 18 spots out of the top 30 shows in the said area, which accounts for 60 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

On the contrary, ABS-CBN said it ruled Mega Manila with a share of 34 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent.

ABS-CBN said it also took the lead in Metro Manila, where it earned 40 percent of the audience share versus its rival’s 26 percent.

Both networks are undertaking steps to be ahead when it comes to digital transformation.  

ABS-CBN in 2015 launched its digital terrestrial television service through the TVplus digital box. This was followed by the launch last June a mobile version of ABS-CBN TVplus in the form of a dongle, called the ABS-CBN TVplus Go.

GMA Network, for its part, signed in January a technology, content, and distribution agreement with PLDT and Smart Communications which involves the launch of game-changing innovations that will power the TV network’s digital transformation.