ABS-CBN claims nationwide rating

MANILA, Philippines -  ABS-CBN Corp. claimed it remained the leader in nationwide television (TV) ratings, while GMA Network Inc. said it was the winner in National Urban Philippines in February.

Citing data from Kantar Media, ABS-CBN said, it had an average audience share of 44 percent among urban and rural homes, compared to GMA Network Inc.’s audience share of 35 percent, and TV5’s seven percent in February.

Kantar Media used a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes to represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

ABS-CBN said it ruled primetime (6 p.m. to 12 midnight) with its average audience share of 47 percent, compared to GMA’s 34 percent and TV5’s eight percent.

The primetime block is the most important part of the day as this is when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment.

ABS-CBN also topped the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 noon) with 38 percent versus GMA’s 35 percent and TV5’s seven percent; the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.) with 45 percent compared to GMA’s 35 percent and TV5’s four percent; and the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) with 44 percent, against GMA’s 36 percent and TV5’s seven percent.

It said it likewise topped the ratings game in Total Balance Luzon, with an average national audience share of 45 percent versus GMA’s 38 percent and TV5’s six percent.

ABS-CBN also won in other areas such as Total Luzon where it got a 40 percent audience share, higher than GMA’s 37 percent and TV5’s seven percent; in Total Visayas with 52 percent versus GMA’s 30 percent and TV5’s seven percent; and in Total Mindanao with 53 percent compared to GMA’s 31 percent and TV5’s six percent.

Out of the 20 most watched programs in the country in February, 14 were produced by ABS-CBN, with “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” topping the list.

Meanwhile, GMA said it remained the preferred TV channel in February based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, which uses 900 more homes surveyed in Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared to Kantar.