ABS-CBN, GMA 7 ratings contest continues

Television broadcast giant GMA Network Inc. released January TV ratings that showed it ahead in certain Luzon urban areas while ABS-CBN claimed a nationwide lead in audience share.

In a statement, GMA said that for January 2018, it had recorded an audience share of 43.7 percent in National Urban Television Audience Measurement (Nutam) while ABS-CBN got 38.6 percent. GMA uses data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

ABS-CBN noted separately that it had cornered 46 percent across the Philippines, against GMA’s 34 percent, citing data from Kantar Media.

As in previous months, both companies highlighted their varying dominance. Ratings data are closely monitored by TV advertisers.

GMA, for example, said it was ahead of the competition in morning, afternoon and evening time blocks in Nutam.

It highlighted bigger margins in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which accounted for the majority of urban viewers in the country.

For Urban Luzon, GMA got 49.2 percent against 32 percent for ABS-CBN. In Mega Manila, including Metro Manila and nearby provinces, GMA got 51.9 percent against ABS-CBN’s 28.5 percent.

For its part, ABS-CBN said it was ahead in total Luzon, where it got 43 percent against GMA’s 35 percent. In Metro Manila, ABS-CBN said it was leading at 42 percent versus GMA’s 27 percent.

ABS-CBN was also ahead in Visayas and Mindanao.

ABS-CBN said it had lured the most viewers in the primetime block, with 50 percent versus GMA’s 32 percent.