GMA Network reinforces leadership in nationwide ratings

Broadcast giant GMA Network Inc. (GMA) maintained its hold on nationwide ratings for October, based on data from ratings service provider Neilsen TV Audience Measurement, the network’s Corporate Communications office announced Tuesday. According to full October data (October 23 to 31 based on overnight readings) nationwide, the network had an average of 35.3 total day (6 a.m. to 12 midnight) household audience share points. The score is 5.8 points above ABS-CBN’s 29.5 and 18.5 points above TV5’s 16.8 points. Given an average of five viewers for every household, the lead would mean that GMA had about 1.1 million more viewers nationwide compared to ABS-CBN and 3.4 million more viewers than TV5 in October. Ratings growth The report also showed that GMA was the only television station that saw its ratings grow across all time blocks in the country’s key areas compared to the prior month. Meanwhile, competing station ABS-CBN saw a drop in nationwide ratings performance in all day parts — morning, afternoon, and prime time. TV5, in contrast, saw no substantial month-on-month improvement in its ratings. GMA fared the best in the afternoon block, posting a double-digit advantage over competitors. The network also had 14 entries in the Top 30 programs of the National urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM). “Eat Bulaga", the country’s longest-running noontime show, ranked third in the list and was the only daytime program in the top five. In contrast, ABS-CBN’s Happy Yipee Yehey! was not on the list. Urban Luzon, Mega Manila results In the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, GMA likewise had good ratings performance from daytime until prime time. Urban Luzon and Mega Manila comprise 77 percent and 58 percent, respectively, of total television households nationwide. GMA registered 38.9 share points in Urban Luzon, taking a huge lead over ABS-CBN’s 25 points and TV5’s 17.8 points. The points translated into two more million viewers over ABS-CBN and three million more viewers over TV5. Eighteen GMA programs were included in the Top 30 programs in Urban Luzon. GMA’s “Eat Bulaga," “Munting Heredera," and “Amaya" were in the top three. Other Kapuso programs that made it into the list were “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," “24 Oras," “Iglot," “Pepito Manaloto" and “Time of My Life." For Mega Manila, meanwhile, GMA recorded the highest ratings in total day household audience share points with 39.8, compared to ABS-CBN’s 23.2 points and TV5’s 18.8 points. In Mega Manila, GMA had 1.8 million more viewers than ABS-CBN, and 2.3 million more viewers than TV5. Again, 18 programs from GMA made it into the Top 30 in Mega Manila. Eat Bulaga, Munting Heredera, and Amaya were still at the top three while Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Iglot, Time of My Life, 24 Oras and Pepito Manaloto made it to the top 10. Nielsen TV Audience Measurement is also used by 21 companies, including two other local networks — TV5 and Solar Entertainment. Other clients include Faulkner Media, CBN Asia, 13 advertising agencies and three regional clients. Rival ABS-CBN is the only local TV network that subscribes to Kantar Media. GMA’s Corporate Communications Office noted that in Mega Manila, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement has a sample size of 800 homes in contrast to Kantar Media's 770 homes. Nationwide, Nielsen has a total sample size of 2,005 homes while Kantar Media has 1,370. — BC/VS, GMA News