AGB report says ABS-CBN also contacted panel homes during promos – GMA Network

GMA Network said that according to AGB Nielsen’s Data Review on the panel intervention issue released on January 15, 2008, ABS-CBN also contacted metered homes during their promotional activities in the Visayas and Mindanao. Based on the audit findings of AGB Nielsen, ABS-CBN’s promotional activities included offering 300 pesos cash monthly as well as groceries in exchange for loyal viewing of ABS-CBN shows. ABS-CBN, according to the AGB report, also entered panel homes to “check signal clarity in exchange for gift offering." GMA Network said it was even stated in the AGB report that, “A panel home member was being persistently asked that the AGB Nielsen meter be showed to them (ABS-CBN representative). The panel home member refused." AGB Nielsen said that they have excluded the exposed panels from the official ratings data and that viewing levels did not significantly change after the exclusion of the said panels. “Channels shares with respect to ABS-CBN, GMA and other channels remain after the comparison between the original and re-processed data was done," AGB said. AGB Nielsen also said that their coincidental survey confirmed that viewing trends/patterns for primetime and early evening blocks were consistent with Panel data in relation to GMA, ABS-CBN and overall viewing levels. “Expected drops in average minutes for GMA and increases for ABS-CBN did not conform to actual observed average viewing minutes after contacted homes have been excluded," AGB Nielsen said. The AGB report, according to GMA Network, only shows how ABS-CBN has been attempting to confuse the public through the airing of false and distorted statements, which aims to portray ABS-CBN as an innocent victim of the alleged ratings manipulation. GMA Network said that ABS-CBN never mentioned in their statements and news reports that they, too, were conducting field promotional and other activities in the regions, which, based on the AGB report exposed some panel homes to ABS-CBN. Instead, ABS-CBN has been consistently broadcasting - what GMA Network strongly says to be – erroneous and malicious allegations on the manipulation of ratings in the regions. ABS-CBN’s informants claimed that GMA Network hired them to look for and bribe panel homes in Bacolod City. A few more alleged informants from Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo were also interviewed by ABS-CBN. GMA Network denied these allegations, saying that the informants’ statements are dubious and inconsistent with known facts. GMA Network said its desire remains consistent - to ferret out the truth in court, rather than be subjected to ABS-CBN’s trial by publicity. - GMANews.TV