GMA Network secures top spot in Mega Manila TV ratings in Q1

GMA Network remained the leader in TV ratings in viewer-rich Mega Manila as of the first quarter of 2010, according to survey results from the more widely recognized TV ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen Philippines. GMA edged out the competition with an average audience share of 37.2 percent, or 1.3 percentage points higher than the competition’s 35.9 percent. During the quarter, GMA had 15 entries in the list of overall top 30 programs. GMA’s adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s Darna, with the Network superstar Marian Rivera as its main star, took the top notch on the list with an average household rating of 32.2 points. Six GMA-made programs made it to the top 10 list. Apart from Darna, other Telebabad (primetime) programs that made it to the top 10 include: the fantasy series The Last Prince, which stars promising actors Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal; the action-packed Panday Kids led by child actor Buboy Villar; the romantic comedy Full House top-billed by Richard Gutierrez and Heart Evangelista; the banner newscast 24 Oras, and television’s first reality sitcom, Pepito Manaloto. Pepito Manaloto, which is the brainchild of comic genius Michael V., piloted with an impressive 27.5% program rating last March 28, up by 11.3 points from Goin Bulilit’s 16.2%. Meanwhile, the latest bout of boxing's pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey beat all TV programs—including TV specials during the quarter—with 37.9 rating points. The main event registered a household rating of 49.7 percent and an audience share of 81.3 percent in Mega Manila. GMA programs launched during the quarter, including The Last Prince, First Time, Diva, Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita?, Gumapang Ka Lusak, Kandidato, and Wipeout, beat their ABS-CBN counterparts. GMA Network also kept its lead in another key area—Urban North/Central Luzon—where GMA led competition by 2.6 points in average channel ratings during the first quarter. GMA Network Chairman, President and CEO Felipe L. Gozon expressed confidence that the Network will be able to increase the gap in TV ratings in Mega Manila and other key markets in the coming months. “We are confident that we will be able to once again widen the lead in TV ratings as we are set to launch new shows that will surely excite our viewers," Gozon said. Among the programs set to launch on GMA Network in the coming months include the Barbie Forteza-starrer Pilyang Kerubin, Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Edition with host Richard Gutierrez, Heart Evangelista’s Langit sa Piling Mo, and a whole lot more. Based on AGB Nielsen’s 2010 TV household population projections, Mega Manila TV households now comprise 55% of the National Urban Philippines TV population and are generated from a bigger panel of 800 TV households. Urban North/Central Luzon, on the other hand, accounts for 21% of the National Urban Philippines TV population. AGB Nielsen supplies TV ratings data to 21 companies in the Philippines. GMA Network and two other media companies (ABS-CBN not included), plus twelve major advertising agencies and four regional clients subscribe to AGB Nielsen.—JV, GMANews.TV