GMA news programs claim lead in provincial ratings

Broadcast giant GMA Network Inc.’s expansion in key provinces has started to pay dividends after recent surveys showed the network was gaining ground in key urban centers outside Metro Manila—areas once dominated by rival ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

In a statement, GMA said its news and public affairs programs in Cebu, Dagupan, Davao and Iloilo led ratings for the month of October and the first two weeks of November.

“Regional morning programs remain unrivaled based on monthly data from widely recognized ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement,” GMA said.

“We are truly grateful to our regional audiences for their continued patronage. Time and again, they have shown that when it comes to news and information, the choice has always been GMA Network,” GMA Regional TV vice president Rikki O. Escudero said.

For the month of October to November 17, GMA Dagupan’s “Primera Balita” delivered household ratings of 9.2 percent leaving behind ABS-CBN’s “Gandang Umaga Kapamilya” with only 2.7 percent and TV 5’s “Good Morning Club” with 1.4 percent.

GMA Cebu’s morning show “Buena Mano” recorded a 4.9-percent audience share, at par with ABS-CBN’s “Maayong Buntag Kapamilya,” and defeated TV 5’s “Good Morning Club” with only 1.1 percent.

In Iloilo, “Arangkada ang Trip Mo Kun Aga!” posted household ratings of 6.7 percent ahead of ABS-CBN’s “Sikat Ka! Iloilo,” which had 6.0 percent and TV 5’s “Good Morning Club,” which managed only 0.9 percent.

The morning program in Davao, “Una Ka Bai Balita at Iba Pa,” registered an increase of 2.1 percentage points from 6.6 percent in October to 8.7 percent in partial November. In contrast, ABS-CBN’s “Maayong Buntag Mindanao” decreased household ratings from 9.4 percent in October to 8.6 percent in partial November. TV 5’s “Good Morning Club” also decreased from 1.9 percent to 1.4 percent during the same period.

“In 2013, viewers can look forward to more ground-breaking activities and programs from the Kapuso Network. Preparations are underway for Eleksyon 2013,” the GMA statement said.