ABS-CBN tops primetime race, 2 research firms say

MANILA, Philippines—Lopez-led ABS-CBN Corp. stayed on top of nationwide primetime ratings in January, according to the latest survey by Kantar Media, which supported results of rival research firm AGB Nielsen.

In a statement, ABS-CBN said it posted an average audience share of 41.2 percent at the end of January in primetime nationwide ratings, higher by nearly 10 percentage points than GMA Network Inc.’s 32.1 percent share in the period.

“ABS-CBN programs once again proved to be the most watched in the previous month as eight out of the top 10 programs nationwide for January were produced by ABS-CBN,” the company said in a statement.

Kantar’s rating report was released a day after an AGB Nielsen showed ABS-CBN also ahead in nationwide primetime ratings. However, ABS-CBN ceded the lead in full-day ratings to rival GMA Network.

The Lopez-led firm earlier sued AGB Nielsen for failing to comply with its request to investigate alleged cheating and data tampering in TV ratings. The case is still pending in court contrary to claims by GMA, which is not a party to the case, that it has been resolved.

ABS-CBN is now the only major network that subscribes to Kantar Media, although GMA asserts that AGB Nielsen provides more reliable data, and surveys more homes in preparing its own ratings report.

But according to ABS-CBN, Kantar’s ratings reports, which are based on a national sample of around 1,400 homes, are still “statistically representative of the total Philippine TV population.”