By Jame A. Loyola
GMA Network continued to lead in nationwide ratings for urban areas throughout 2018 based on full year data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
From January to December (with December 23 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA tallied 40.8 percent total day people audience share, which bested ABS-CBN’s 37.5 percent, in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM).
The Kapuso Network was also the most watched station in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila – winning across all day parts including the hotly contested primetime block.
Urban Luzon and Mega Manila respectively account for 76 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country.
Full year 2018 data showed that GMA still kept a double-digit advantage in Urban Luzon with 45.9 percent total day people audience share while ABS-CBN got 31.5 percent.
With official data from January up to December 22, GMA posted an even bigger margin in its bailiwick Mega Manila with 47.7 percent, compared to ABS-CBN’s 28.7 percent.
For the month of December 2018, GMA registered 38 percent total day people audience share in NUTAM as against ABS-CBN’s 34.8 percent.
GMA similarly maintained its winning streak in the viewer-rich Urban Luzon with 42.8 percent versus competition’s 28.8 percent.
Furthermore, GMA led competition in Mega Manila (with official data from December 1 to 22) with 44.6 percent outscoring the 26.1 percent of ABS-CBN.
“Coming from the Network’s strong ratings performance in 2018, we are optimistic that we will be able to deliver even better numbers in 2019 as we prepare to launch a number of exciting and innovative programs,” said GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon.