GMA-7 has released a press statement regarding their 8-point lead over rival network ABS-CBN in Mega Manila TV ratings.

GMA Network kept its strong grip of the TV ratings lead in viewer-rich Luzon and the highly-coveted Mega Manila area in November, this despite program changes made by competition backed up by aggressive promotion during the said month.

Based on people data during the said month (November 28-30 based on overnight ratings) from the more widely recognized ratings service Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA-7 scored 35.4 percent in audience share in Mega Manila, up by a huge 8.0 percentage points over ABS-CBN’s 27.4 points.

Mega Manila comprises 55 percent of the total urban TV household population in the country.

Including specials, seventeen (17) out of the overall top thirty programs were from GMA-7 with six (6) Kapuso shows making it to the top 10. The boxing bout between pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito topped all programs for the month.

The station’s banner newscast 24 Oras; Ilumina featuring Rhian Ramos, Jackie Rice, and Aljur Abrenica; Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown hosted by Richard Gutierrez; Grazilda with Glaiza De Castro; and weekend primetime Public Affairs show Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho all made it to the top 10.

GMA-7 likewise kept its lead in TV ratings in Urban Luzon, which makes up for a huge 77 percent of the total television households nationwide. GMA-7 posted an average total day audience share of 33.6 percent, up by 3.8 percentage points against ABS-CBN’s 29.8.

Including specials, fourteen (14) out of the top thirty overall programs in Urban Luzon were from GMA-7 with Pacquiao vs. Margarito, 24 Oras, Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, Survivor Philippines, Grazilda, Bantatay, and Ilumina all in the top fifteen.

ABS-CBN brought back veteran anchors in its primetime newscast while TV5 launched its much-hyped variety show in the early primetime slot, but both failed to overcome GMA Network’s primetime newscast 24 Oras in TV ratings in Luzon and Mega Manila last November.

The longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga!, which airs on GMA Network at a timeslot with lower viewing levels than primetime, even posted higher TV ratings in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila than TV5’s new primetime variety show.

(Press Release from GMA-7)