GMA Network claims most number of viewers in urban households

MANILA, Philippines - GMA Network Inc. registered the most number of television viewers in urban households nationwide last month, according to ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Based on household data recorded during the entire month of January, GMA had an average household audience share of 36.7 points, higher than ABS-CBN’s 29 points and TV5’s 15.2 points.

Using an estimate of five viewers per household, GMA had 1.4 million more viewers over ABS-CBN and 3.9 million more viewers over TV5 from all over the country this January, Nielsen said.

In Total Urban Luzon, which comprises over 77 percent of total television households nationwide, GMA posted double-digit leads over ABS-CBN and TV5. GMA had 39.9 household share points versus ABS-CBN’s 25.5 points and TV5’s 15 points.

In Mega Manila, which now makes up more than 59 percent of total urban television households nationwide due to the recently added panel homes in Batangas and Laguna, GMA registered stronger double-digit margins over competing stations. It recorded 40.8 household share points as against ABS-CBN’s 23.8 and TV5’s 15.8 points.

In GMA’s recognized bailiwick, it had an estimated 1.9 milllion more viewers over ABS-CBN and about 2.8 million more viewers over TV5 this January.

GMA continues its dominating performance across all areas in both morning and afternoon blocks. On primetime (6 p.m. to 11 p.m.), GMA hiked its nationwide share points from 31.8 points in December 2011 to 33.1 points in January this year. ABS-CBN, on the other hand, dropped its nationwide primetime share by 0.2 point.

GMA dominated the lists of overall top 10 programs in Total Urban Luzon and Mega Manila with seven and eight entries, respectively.

Nielsen TV Audience Measurement is used by 21 other companies including two other local networks, namely, TV5 and Solar Entertainment; Faulkner Media; CBN Asia; 13 advertising agencies and three regional clients.