By James A. Loyola ABS-CBN kept a solid grip on its position as the most-watched TV network nationwide while rival GMA Network claims the top spot in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila. Data from Kantar Media in September revealed that ABS-CBN earned a national TV rating of 45 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent. ABS-CBN continued to top urban and rural areas, getting a 41 percent share compared to GMA’s 25 percent in Metro Manila; and 36 percent over GMA’s 32 percent in Mega Manila. It won in Total Luzon with 41 percent over GMA’s 34 percent; Total Visayas, with 57 percent over GMA’s 24 percent; and in Total Mindanao, with 51 percent versus GMA’s 28 percent. However, GMA, which uses data from service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, said it won in Mega Manila but cites data only from September 1 to 21. GMA said it posted 31.7 percent average total day people audience share, beating ABS-CBN’s 28.1 percent. GMA recorded an average of 31.7 percent total day people audience share in Urban Luzon, which was ahead of ABS-CBN’s 30.7 percent for the month of September (with September 22 to 30 based on overnight data). The said viewer-rich area accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country. The Kapuso Network led in the morning block with 24.9 percent people audience share, while rival network got 24.1 percent. GMA also continued its winning streak in the evening block with 34.9 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 32.3 percent. Nine ABS-CBN shows continue to occupy the top ten most-watched list in September. Aside from radio and television, ABS-CBN has also become the leader in the local music, film, cable TV, and publishing industries and is also the pioneer of digital television in the country. (JAL)