Without a formidable challenger, GMA Network Inc., citing data from Nielsen Philippines, said on Monday it was the preferred television channel in the country last year, recording a net reach of 95.7 percent with an estimated 83 million viewers.
The Gozon-led television giant said it was “the most watched channel in total Philippines” in 2021 with a 46-percent people audience share.
Broken down into major areas, GMA’s net reach was at 95.6 percent or about 54.4 million viewers in Total Luzon, 96.4 percent of 16.4 million viewers in Total Visayas, and 94.9 percent or 12 million viewers in Total Mindanao.
Across dayparts, GMA recorded an average of 48.4 percent total day people audience share in Total Luzon, while it posted 41.6 percent in Total Visayas, and 41.3 percent in Total Mindanao for 2021.
It also claimed dominance in regional cities, such as Dagupan, Cebu, and Davao.
Meanwhile, its second free-to-air channel GTV is “keeping it good in terms of ratings as it claimed its spot as the second most-watched station in the country next to flagship station GMA.”
Between November and December last year, GTV recorded an 11.6-percent people audience share in Total Philippines, a notch higher than closest competitor TV5 with 10.4 percent.
“GTV’s ratings success was also bolstered by the Network’s non-stop efforts to expand GTV’s reach and clarity of reception in areas outside of Mega Manila. It recently commissioned the upgraded analog TV station in Zamboanga which covers Zamboanga City in Zamboanga del Sur as well as the cities of Lamitan and Isabela, as well as other municipalities in Basilan,” GMA said.
GMA used to compete with ABS-CBN Corp. in the ratings war, but since the latter was refused franchise renewal by Congress in 2020, GMA has been left without a strong competitor.