ABS-CBN, GMA claim ratings lead in April

ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network, Inc. both claimed the lead in nationwide TV ratings in April, citing data from different research firms.

The Lopez-led media and entertainment giant in a statement said it posted an average audience share of 43%, nine points higher than GMA’s 34%, based on data from Kantar Media. Kantar used a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes for the survey.

In a separate statement, GMA said it widened its lead in National Urban Television Audience Measurement ( NUTAM), with an average total day people audience share of 43.3% versus ABS- CBN’s 35.1%, citing data from Nielsen TV Audience Management. It further noted the 8.2- point lead in April is bigger than the 5.4- point advantage posted by GMA versus ABS- CBN in March.

Nielsen, which is also used by local networks TV5 and CNN Philippines, surveyed 900 more homes in Total Urban and Rural Philippines than Kantar.

For the primetime block (6 p. m.- 12 midnight), ABS- CBN said it had an average audience share of 49% versus GMA’s 33%. Advertisers typically allot a bigger portion of ads during this time period when more Filipinos are expected to watch TV.

Kantar data also showed ABS- CBN outpaced GMA in other time blocks, claiming 34% in the morning block ( 6 a. m.- 12 noon) versus GMA’s 33%; 42% in the noontime block ( 12 noon- 3 p. m.) compared to GMA’s 36%; and 43% in the afternoon block (3 p.m.-6 p.m.) versus GMA’s 35%.

ABS- CBN kept its lead in other areas such as Total Balance Luzon, where it had an average audience share of 44% against GMA’s 36%. In Total Luzon, ABS- CBN had a share of 39% versus GMA’s 36%, in Total Visayas with 51% versus GMA’s 28%; and in Total Mindanao with 52% versus GMA’s 29%.

Meanwhile, GMA said it strengthened its lead in Urban Luzon, with an average total day people audience share of 50.4%, compared with ABS- CBN’s 28.9%.

“Across all day parts, including the highly coveted evening prime time block, the Kapuso Network reigned victorious in both NUTAM and Urban Luzon,” the company said, without giving details.

Shares in ABS- CBN went up 0.23% to close at P44.50 apiece, while GMA shares rose 0.32% to end at P6.20 each. —