Rival TV networks claim viewer lead

THE COUNTRY’S top two broadcast networks again claimed leadership in television ratings for March, citing two different surveys they commissioned separately.

Citing data from Kantar Media, ABS-CBN Corp. said “more viewers” preferred watching its programs as the company recorded a 46% audience share nationwide last month, 12 points higher than GMA Network, Inc.’s 34%.

On the other hand, GMA Network said based on ratings provider Nielsen TV Audience Management data, it “continued to lead over competition in nationwide TV ratings” with a people audience share of 41.7% in National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), leading by 5.4 points over ABS-CBN’s 36.3%.

The two media giants subscribe to different TV audience measurement providers. ABS-CBN said Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes.

The Lopez-led media and entertainment company said in a statement on Tuesday that for the prized prime time block (6 p.m. to midnight), it garnered a national audience share of 50% last month, while GMA had 33%.

Meanwhile, GMA said it “ruled across all day parts in NUTAM including the hotly contested prime time block.”

“The Kapuso Network also dominated competition in Urban Luzon, which accounts for 77% of the total urban TV household population in the country, with an average people audience share of 48.3% as against ABS-CBN’s 30.3%,” GMA said in its statement.

On Tuesday, shares in ABS-CBN closed at P46.05 each, lower by 0.43%, while GMA shares also dipped 0.75% to P6.65 apiece. —