GMA Network kept its slight TV ratings advantage over ABS-CBN in viewer-rich Mega Manila from January to May 2010, according AGB Nielsen Philippines.

From January to May, GMA-7 edged out competition with an average audience share of 35.6 percent. This figure is 0.7 points higher than ABS-CBN’s 34.9 percent.

The television adaptation of comic series Darna topbilled by Marian Rivera led the list of top 10 programs for the said period. Other GMA-produced shows that made it to the top 10 list include the fantasy series The Last Prince starring the Kris Bernal-Aljur Abrenica love team, the romantic comedy Full House topbilled by Richard Gutierrez and Heart Evangelista, the musical series Diva featuring Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, and the Network’s banner newscast 24 Oras.

24 Oras, anchored by Mike Enriquez and Mel Tiangco, outrated competition’s TV Patrol World during the period with an average household rating of 26.6 percent vis-à-vis the latter’s 25.1 percent.

Based on AGB Nielsen data, more viewers in Mega Manila watched GMA Network’s election coverage dubbed Eleksyon 2010. From May 10 to 11, Eleksyon 2010 posted an average TV household rating of 12.3 percent, compared to ABS-CBN’s 10. The May 10 average of Eleksyon 2010 is also higher at 12.6 percent, compared to ABS-CBN’s 11.1. On May 11, GMA-7’s election coverage pulled ahead with a 3.5 lead.

GMA-7’s primetime newscast on May 10, 24 Oras Eleksyon 2010, posted a rating percentage of 33.7 as against TV Patrol World‘s 22.3, representing a staggering 11.4 margin. The lead based on the corresponding audience share is even more imposing—a whopping 16.4 points—with GMA-7 posting a 51.3 % audience share against the other station’s 34.9%.

Meanwhile, GMA also kept its strong hold in another key area—Urban North/Central Luzon, where 21 percent of national television households are found. For the January to May period, GMA-7 registered an average audience share of 40.5 percent, or a margin of 7.6 percentage points over ABS-CBN’s 32.9.

At the height of its 60th anniversary with theme, “Touching Hearts, Enriching Lives,” GMA-7 readies the lineup of its television offerings for the second half. Among the programs to be launched in the Kapuso Network in the succeeding months include Trudis Liit with child star Jillian Ward, Endless Love featuring the love team of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Edition with host Richard Gutierrez, Romana Santa with Rhian Ramos and Aljur Abrenica, and more.

Meanwhile, GMA’s 60th anniversary special which was held at the Araneta Coliseum last June 18, Friday, will be aired on June 27 (Sunday) on SNBO.