MANILA, Philippines – Two weeks after the media fanfare generated by Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines, rival television networks ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. have both claimed that they are on top of the ratings chart for January 2015.
ABS-CBN, however, took the lead over its rival, capturing 42-percent of the viewing audience, against GMA’s 36 percent.
The Kantar Media group disclosed that in their data covering January 2015, the Kapamilya network took the lead in strategic territories – including all areas within Luzon but outside of Metro Manila – with an average day-audience share of 45 percent, compared with GMA’s 36 percent.
The ABS-CBN network also rated higher than its competitor in nighttime audience or primetime viewership; garnering 47 percent as opposed to GMA’s 33 percent.
ABS-CBN also dominated the Visayas region, with an average total day audience share of 56 percent, versus GMA’s 26 percent; as well as the Mindanao region, with 48 percent against the 31 percent of GMA.
The Kapamilya network’s “Thank You sa Malasakit: Pope Francis sa Pilipinas” special coverage of Pope Francis’ Philippine visit snagged an average national TV rating of 13.2 percent, while GMA’s “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas: A GMA News Special Coverage.” pulled in 10.9 percent of viewership.