Filipinos informed, empowered by ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2016” coverage
ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast “TV Patrol” was the most watched TV program on election day, garnering the highest national TV rating last May 9 with 31.1% based on data from Kantar Media.
On a day when all TV networks launched their own special news coverage of the 2016 national elections, most viewers chose to tune in to “TV Patrol” on primetime to get the latest news on election results and issues. “TV Patrol” rated eight percentage points higher than “24 Oras” (23.1%).
This special edition of “TV Patrol” was part of the “Halalan 2016 Ipanalo ang Pamilyang Pilipino” marathon election coverage of ABS-CBN News, the country’s largest news organization. Viewers were also glued to ABS-CBN’s extensive and comprehensive coverage, which began as early as 10pm on May 8 on DZMM, 3:30am on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel and 5am on ABS-CBN, both on May 9.
On May 9, ABS-CBN’s Halalan 2016 special coverage got 10.2% national TV rating versus 8% of GMA’s Eleksyon 2016 in the morning. It also beat competition’s regular programs and special news coverage in the afternoon with 14.0%. The coverage also sustained its double digit rating after “TV Patrol.”
A day after the elections, Filipinos continued to tune in to ABS-CBN for election news. “Umagang Kay Ganda” won in the ratings 10% to GMA’s Eleksyon 2016’s 7%. The rating also spiked to 17.6% as ABS-CBN wrapped up its special coverage before noontime, beating even the regular programs of GMA.
Filipinos, however, were tuned in not only on television but also on ABS-CBN’s other media platforms, which were also active in delivering news and information to reach as many people as possible. Live streaming on iWant TV, ABS-CBN’s pioneering video-on-demand and livestreaming site, and on news.abs-cbn.com, enabled Filipinos who were mobile or without access to a TV to stay informed wherever they were at that time.
Moreover, apart from the usual live reports, breaking news, and analysis of events, ABS-CBN News incorporated social media listening in its coverage, giving importance to the voice of the people. Through social media listening, people were informed on the latest buzz and pulse online and were made aware of the topics and issues important to Filipino netizens at that time. It also partnered with two of the most influential social media platforms, Twitter and Facebook, for this election coverage.
Apart from news and information, ABS-CBN also empowered Filipinos by providing them with the ultimate voter experience via the COMELEC Halalan App, which allowed users to check their voter status, find their precinct, know the candidates, create a sample ballot, report election violations, and stay updated on election news all in one application. The app, which was first introduced in 2013, is downloadable for free via Google Play and App Store.
ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2016 Ipanalo ang Pamilyang Pilipino” cross platform news coverage continues as the nation awaits the official results of the election. Stay tuned to ABS-CBN on free TV, DZMM on AM radio, ANC and ABS-CBN HD on SKYcable, and DZMM TeleRadyo on SKYcable and TVPlus. Watch ABS-CBN online via live streaming at www.iwantv.com.ph. Visit news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016 for the latest election update.
