When it comes to news and current affairs, Filipinos trust ABS-CBN to give them the hard facts and real stories daily from morning until night.

In 2009, “TV Patrol World” topped the list of news and current affairs programs nationwide. Global research firm Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) reported that ABS-CBN’s award-winning flagship primetime newscast registered an average rating of 34.1 percent, a whopping 10.5 percentage point lead over 24 Oras’ 23.6 percent.

“TV Patrol World” further increased its lead to 12.9 percentage points in January 2010 with household ratings of 35.5 percent vs. competition’s 22.6 percent in the TNS national TV ratings. Its weekend editions competed strongly against competing programs.

TNS data showed Filipinos tune in to ABS-CBN for news late night and early morning. Bandila, the first Philippine news program nominated for an Emmy, led the ratings in the late night newscast with an average rating of 7.7 percent vs. Saksi’s 5.3 percent, while Umagang Kay Ganda reigned in the mornings with ratings of 6.5 percent vs. Unang Hirit’s 4.9 percent.

ABS-CBN also dominated the current affairs late night timeslots. Gus Abelgas‘ crime investigation program S.O.C.O. (Scene of the Crime Operatives) topped the list with 8.6 percent vs. OFW Diaries’ 2.2 percent on Fridays.

On Mondays, investigative program XXX (Exklusibong Explosibong Expose) won over I-Witness, 5.1 percent vs. 3.6 percent, while documentary program “The Correspondents” captured Tuesdays with 4.8 percent vs Reporter’s Notebook’s 3.5 percent.

Che-Che Lazaro‘s Probe Profiles earned 4.4 percent ratings, beating Born to be Wild‘s 3.4 percent on Wednesdays; while Ces Orena-Drilon’s inspiring stories in I Survived got more viewers with 5.2 percent ratings vs. Case Unclosed’s 3.2 percent.

ABS-CBN’s leadership in news and current affairs continue on weekends. Kim Atienza’s multi-awarded educational program Matanglawin and Ted Failon’s groundbreaking magazine show Failon Ngayon conquered the Filipino households with of 12 percent rating on Sunday morning and 22.8 percent on Saturday afternoon respectively.

In terms of special coverages and documentaries produced in 2009, ABS-CBN also posted remarkable ratings over competition with the world-class funeral coverage on late former President Cory Aquino “Salamat President Cory: A People’s Farewell” grabbing the top spot with an average rating of 35.7 percent vs GMA’s “Salamat at Paalam Cory” with only 23 percent.

ABS-CBN’s coverage of President Arroyo’s last State of the Nation Address was also preferred by more Filipinos hitting an 18.1 percentage rating against GMA’s 13.9 percent.

Among the 20 top-rating news specials for 2009, 16 were produced and covered by ABS-CBN which includes Matanglawin’s special in calamity management “Delubyo,” “Salubong sa Bagong Simula: Countdown to 2010,” “Sagip Kapamilya: Bagyong Ondoy,” and “Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas: The Mar-Korina Wedding Special.”

TNS is a leading market research group in the world with a proven track record in audience research measurement systems in 32 countries. It started releasing its national television audience measurement (NUTAM) data on February 2009 with panels, composed of 1,370 representative households, covering urban Philippines and reporting on seven sectors namely NCR, Suburbs, North Luzon, Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

ABS-CBN shifted to TNS after filing a case vs. AGB Nielsen Media Research for failing to comply with its request to investigate alleged cheating and data tampering in TV ratings. The case is still pending in court.