GMA Network announced that it is now getting close to dominate the nationwide TV ratings (NUTAM) and not just in Mega Manila and Urban Luzon based from the report of AGB Nielsen Media Research.

Since the third quarter of 2007, GMA 7 claims that the network showed evident pattern of growth as the gap from its biggest competitor, which is ABS-CBN, is getting slimmer and slimmer.

In a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange, GMA Network cited AGB Nielsen’s survey dated February 24, 2008 to March 1, 2008 which showed that GMA Network maintained equal ranking with ABS-CBN in terms of total day people ratings. The two networks are now tied at 7.9 percent nationwide.

GMA Network also noted that it is only trailing its rival by 0.7 percent in terms of total day household ratings. ABS-CBN posted a total day household rating of 17 percent while GMA Network posted 16.3 percent.

It added that 15 out of the top 30 programs were from GMA Network with Marimar on the top spot, the first time in years that a show from GMA ruled the NUTAM ratings.

GMA Network shows also maintained it’s dominance in Mega Manila and Urban Luzon, with 18 out of the top 30 programs in the area were from the network.