The hit US series “Jane the Virgin” proved to be an instant hit among Filipino viewers after its pilot telecast on ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ largest media and entertainment company, beating rival programs in national TV ratings.
According to data from Kantar Media, “Jane The Virgin” hit an average TV rating of 13% among urban and rural homes last Monday (Mar 28) when the show aired on the network’s late primetime slot, as compared to its closest competitor “Heart of Asia Presents”, which only recorded 7%.
It also generated buzz online and trended nationwide on micro-blogging site Twitter.
The series, dubbed in Filipino, captivated viewers with its catchy plot, which resonates with the country’s conservative culture that values a woman’s virginity.
“Jane the Virgin” is first US series to be dubbed in Filipino and aired on ABS-CBN in recent years.
It tells the story of Jane Villanueva, a hardworking, religious young Latina woman who vows to save her virginity until marriage. One day, her world turns upside down when a doctor artificially inseminates her by mistake during a check-up, getting her pregnant. To make things worse, the biological donor of the sperm specimen is a married man, a former playboy, and a cancer survivor named Rafael, who happens to be Jane’s ultimate crush.
“Jane The Virgin” is a multi-awarded US series loosely based on Venezuelan telenovela “Juana La Virgen.” Since it premiered on US television via the CW, the program has received a Peabody Award, an American Film Institute Award, anda People’s Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Program. It has also been nominated in the Critics’ Choice Awards, Television Critics Association Awards, and the Golden Globe Awards, where lead star Gina Rodriguez won as Best Actress – Television Series, Musical or Comedy.
“Jane the Virgin” airs weeknights, 10:30 PM, after “The Story of Us” on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). Catch up via iwantv.com.ph or skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.
