MANILA, Philippines–Lopez-led broadcast network ABS-CBN widened its nationwide lead over its closest rival, GMA, at the end of last year.
In a statement, ABS-CBN said it now has a nationwide audience share of 48 percent as of December 2009, or higher than the 44 percent it had in February the same year, based on data from global research specialist Taylor Nelson Sofres.
In contrast, its rival’s share was down to 31 percent from 37 percent in the same period.
“This growth from a 7-percentage-point lead to a 17-percentage-point lead is attributed to the strong focus of the network on its core viewers, its commitment to production quality, improvements in TV reception, its great storytelling and huge star cast with its popular television series,” said ABS-CBN.
The network also noted a significant shift in the vital Mega Manila audience share. ABS-CBN cut down its competitor’s lead from 9 percentage points in February (ABS-CBN’s 34 percent compared to GMA’s 43 percent) to 2 percentage points in December (ABS-CBN with 37 percent and GMA with 39 percent).
Metro Manila, which comprises the majority of Mega Manila, drove the Mega Manila audience shift, from ABS-CBN’s 37 percent to the competition’s 40 percent share in February to ABS-CBN leading Metro Manila with 39 percent versus GMA’s 35 percent by year’s end.
“Throughout the country, ABS-CBN is still the undisputed national leader with its overall 2009 performance of 45 percent audience share versus GMA’s 34 percent,” the network said.
“It also exhibited a runaway leadership in Luzon areas outside Mega Manila with 49 percent audience share against competition’s 32 percent; in Visayas with 62 percent versus 22 percent, and in Mindanao, where it trashed its competitor, 70 percent to 15 percent,” ABS-CBN said.
