They said it was a slow burn. They said it would take time.
And now, time has rewarded patience with power: Sang’gre, GMA Network’s self-declared “most ambitious series” of the year, has finally carved a flaming path through prime time—and it did so not just with sparks, but with a certified blaze.
After months of simmering in single-channel victories and scattered fanfare, the epic fantasy drama has officially outshined ABS-CBN’s juggernaut Batang Quiapo. Yes, you read that right. Not once—but twice—Sang’gre ascended the viewership throne across combined-channel metrics, an achievement long denied to the series despite its cult-like fanbase.
Last Friday, July 25, Sang’gre did what many thought impossible. It edged out Batang Quiapo with a triumphant 12.3 vs 11.3, according to Nielsen Philippines’ NUTAM People Ratings overnight data. Three days later, on Monday, July 28, it doubled down: 12.9 vs 11.7, a wider gap, a clearer win, a firmer signal that the tide has turned.
This is no longer an underdog story. It’s an uprising.
Critics may point out that Sang’gre’s viewership counts include its delayed telecast at 9:35 PM, potentially muddying its claim to dominance at the 8 PM slot. Fair—but ultimately insufficient to dim the glow. Viewers are not only tuning in, they’re staying in. Whether through its mythic world-building, ethereal performances, or emotional heft, Sang’gre has become appointment viewing—on both live and delayed platforms.
Before these victories, Sang’gre had only clinched success in GMA’s single-channel ratings, while its rival, Batang Quiapo, stood firm in combined channel supremacy. That was then. Today, it’s the show—not the network—that’s winning the fight. Because when programs are pitted head-to-head, it’s story, soul, and spectacle that reign supreme.
The shift in ratings isn’t just statistical. It’s narrative. This isn’t just a win—it’s a turning point. The question now isn’t “Can Sang’gre keep up?” It’s “Who—and what—can stop it?”
And truthfully? As the 8 PM battleground continues to evolve, and GMA Network’s mythic saga gathers steam, audiences are no longer asking when Sang’gre will peak.
They’re asking how high.
