In the ratings game, timeslot blocking is very important for every show.
For primetime, the most coveted spot is the first slot which is usually after primetime news because that is when more people are watching television.
The later the show gets, the lower the ratings it will register since people tend to sleep, rest or do other things as the night goes on.
But ABS-CBN has managed to bring life to the later timeslots, especially the third spot.
Throughout the years the Kapamilya network has proven that the third spot can also attract a good number of viewers like the most coveted first slot.
Tracking historical trends of Kapamilya teleseryes, LionhearTV learned that the third spot is also gold mine in capturing good TV ratings.
Since 2013, Kapamilya teleseryes which started low during their pilot episodes managed to attract loyal viewers that make them soar to their finales.
Among the 15 ABS-CBN teleseryes that LionhearTV tracked, The Legal Wife scored the highest.
From its pilot episode of 19.8%, its finale registered a whopping 36.2%. This Angel Locsin-Maja Salvador-Jericho Rosales series not only topped the ratings chart but also social media trends and topics during its time on air.
A scene from ABS-CBN’s ‘The Legal Wife’
Following The Legal Wife is another “kabit serye” Halik, which coincidentally also starred Jericho Rosales with Yen Santos, Yam Concepcion, and Sam Milby. Halik also started slow at 18.2% and ended with soaring ratings of 30.3% or a margin of 12.1%.
In third place is another Jericho Rosales teleserye Bridges Of Love with again Maja Salvador and Paolo Avelino. Bridges of Love registered a 21.9% pilot ratings and ended with 28.3% or a margin of 6.4%. Tying with Bridges of Love in number 3 is The Good Son. The Good Son also registered a margin of 6.4%, 18.1% pilot and 24.5% finale ratings.
While most of the third spot teleseryes soared during their time there were few exceptions.
Till I Met You starring JaDine’s James Reid and Nadine Lustre with JC Santos registered the opposite. From 28.2% pilot ratings, it ended at 19.6% finale ratings. Same with Muling Buksan Ang Puso which got 28.7% pilot and 25.7% finale ratings. Maria Mercedes decreased by 1% at 23.8% pilot to 22.8% finale ratings. And A Love To Last registered the same ratings at 25% for both pilot and finale.
Among the 4, only Maria Mercedes didn’t switch timeslots. Till I Met You, Muling Buksan Ang Puso, and A Love to Last were formerly slated at the 2nd spot before they were transferred to the 3rd spot which most probably affected their ratings.
Till I Met You registered its all-time high of 29.9% when it was still in the 2nd spot while Muling Buksan Ang Puso got 32.7% all-time high during its 2nd spot timeslot.
This means that for a third spotter to soar in its timeslot, it should be originally scheduled as such. Shows that started in the 1st or 2nd spot who already have loyal viewers will lose them in the process of changing timeslots like what happened to Till I Met You and Muling Buksan Ang Puso.
Currently, ABS-CBN’s primetime third slot is occupied by The Killer Bride. Based on its pilot ratings of 23.1% which won against rival programs, it is expected that it will follow the trend of soaring in ratings to the end.
ABOUT: By The Numbers is a weekly column written by Ron Mia (@rojan88 on Twitter, @akosirojan88 on IG, Ron.Mia on Facebook), a Blogger by night and Data Analyst by day.
The column focuses on analyzing TV shows based on their survey numbers. A detailed, no holds barred analysis of what’s hot and what’s not in the world of television.
E-mail reactions at lionheartvnet@gmail.com.
For more updates, photos and videos, visit https://lionheartv.net or follow its social media accounts on twitter, and Instagram.
