GMA Network prevailed over rival stations in nationwide TV ratings last September according to the industry’s more trusted ratings provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Based on full September data (September 23 to 30 based on overnight data), GMA posted an average total day (6 AM to 12 MN) audience share of 34.1 percent in National Urban Philippines (NUTAM), leading ABS-CBN’s 32.9 percent by 1.2 points, and TV5’s 15.7 percent by 18.4 points.

More television viewers also tuned in to GMA across all dayparts (morning, afternoon and evening inclusive of primetime) in the important areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, where the bulk of urban television households are found.

In Urban Luzon, which accounts for 77 percent of the total urban TV households nationwide, GMA reigned supreme with a 38.2 percent total day audience share, 9.7 points higher than ABS-CBN’s 28.5 percent, and 23.2 points higher than TV5’s 15 percent.

GMA likewise ruled in Mega Manila, which represents 59.5 percent of rural TV households in the country, after generating a 39.2 percent total day audience share, while ABS-CBN trailed behind by 12.6 points with only 26.6 percent. TV5 lagged father behind by 23.4 points with only 15.8 percent.

Leading across all areas, GMA continues to reinforce its strong showing in the afternoon block (12NN to 6PM), scoring double-digit margins over other networks. GMA registered an afternoon audience share of 38.7 percent in NUTAM, considerably ahead of ABS-CBN’s 25.1 percent, and TV5’s 16.3 percent.

In Urban Luzon, GMA’s afternoon block scored 43.3 percent, zooming ahead of ABS-CBN’s 20.6 percent, and TV5’s 15.2 percent. Likewise, in Mega Manila, GMA registered a commanding 44.1 percent afternoon audience share, leaving ABS-CBN behind with only 19.0 percent, and TV5, which managed only 16.0 percent.

GMA dominated the top programs lists in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila with 18 and 20 Kapuso programs making it in each list, respectively.

Among the top-rating GMA programs in both lists are GMA’s banner newscast 24 Oras, the recently concluded GMA drama Makapiling Kang Muli, GMA Telebabad’s One True Love and Luna Blanca, the country’s longest running noontime show Eat Bulaga, and consistent weekend top-rater Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS). KMJS was also the number one program in Mega Manila.

Newly-launched GMA shows Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kuwento, the sequel to the top-rating reality sitcom starring Michael V. of the same title, and Aso ni San Roque, the latest addition to the Network’s primetime block headlined by Kapuso child star Mona Louise Rey, also made it to the top 30 highest rating programs lists in NUTAM, Urban Luzon, and Mega Manila.

GMA subscribes to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement along with 22 other paying subscribers including another local major television network, TV5, Faulkner Media, CBN Asia, 15 advertising agencies, and 4 regional clients.

Nielsen has a sample size of 1,190 homes in Mega Manila versus Kantar Media’s 770 homes. Nielsen also has a nationwide sample size of 2,000 homes compared to the lower sample size of 1,370 utilized by Kantar Media.