More viewers nationwide still prefer ABS-CBN’s programs as it recorded a national average audience share of 44%, or nine-points higher versus GMA’s 35%, based on Kantar Media data covering both urban and rural homes across the country.

Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population, while the other ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen reportedly has 2,000 homes based in urban areas that represent only 57% of the Philippine TV viewing population. ABS-CBN has consistently cited TV ratings covering urban and rural homes in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

ABS-CBN also drew more viewers in the primetime block (6PM-12MN) in November, scoring 46%, a 10-point lead compared to GMA’s 36%. The primetime block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.

Aside from primetime, ABS-CBN also led the other time blocks of the day including the morning block (6AM-12NN) with 40% versus GMA’s 35%; the noontime block (12NN-3PM) with 44% versus GMA’s 34%; and afternoon block (3PM-6PM) with 44% versus GMA’s 34%.

Eight out of the 10 most watched programs in the country were also produced by ABS-CBN, with “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” still leading the list with a national TV rating of 35.4%.

It was followed by “TV Patrol” with a national TV rating of 32.2%. Its rival program “24 Oras,” meanwhile, failed to enter the top 10 as it only recorded 23.3%.

Also joining the list are “Wansapanataym” (28.7%), “Pinoy Boyband Superstar” (27.3%), “Home Sweetie Home” (26.6%), “Goin’ Bulilit” (25.9%), “Magpahanggang Wakas” (24.5%), and “TV Patrol Weekend” (24.3%).

Like the previous months, “It’s Showtime” still reigned as the most watched noontime show in the country with a national TV rating of 17.6% on weekdays and 19.5% on Saturdays. “Eat Bulaga,” only got 12% on weekdays and 13.7% on Saturdays.

ABS-CBN legal drama “Ipaglaban Mo” is also a top-rater on weekends, with a national TV rating of 19.3%, a solid 10.5-point lead over “Karelasyon’s” 9.8%.

Morning series “Langit Lupa,” which premiered in November, also instantly touched the hearts of viewers, scoring 17.7% and beat “Trops” that only got 9.8%.

As ABS-CBN kept its lead over its rival network, it also maintained its leadership in the digital platform through iWant TV, its pioneering video-on-demand service and the leading OTT platform in the country with over 6 million subscribers. Rapidly transitioning into a digital company, ABS-CBN leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos’ viewing habits.

The most watched programs on iWant TV last month were “Pinoy Big Brother Luck Season 7,” “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” “Till I Met You,” “The Greatest Love,” “Doble Kara,” and “Magpahanggang Wakas.”

Meanwhile, more Filipinos are able to watch ABS-CBN shows with its partnership with PLDT, Inc., which enables PLDT and Smart subscribers to access iWant TV’s rich library of TV shows, specials, and other exclusive content.

In other areas, ABS-CBN also beat GMA. The Kapamilya network won the ratings game in Total Balance Luzon with 47% versus GMA’s 36%; in Total Visayas with 53% versus GMA’s 28%; and in Total Mindanao with 53% versus GMA’s 30%.

Aside from radio and television, ABS-CBN has also become the leader in the local music, film, cable TV, and publishing industries and is also the pioneer of digital television in the country. ABS-CBN has also ventured to other businesses including telecommunication services, money remittance, cargo forwarding, TV shopping services, theme park development, among others, showing that it has become more than a broadcasting network through the years.

The company reported a consolidated revenue of P31.1 billion for the first nine months of 2016, bringing its net income to PHP 2.85 billion, 50% higher compared to the same period last year.

Kantar Media is a leading television (TV) audience measurement provider with capabilities in gathering TV viewing data in both digital and analog platforms. It is a multinational market research group that specializes in audience measurement in more than 80 countries, has 26 TV networks, ad agencies, and pan-regional networks subscribing to its ratings services.

Among its local current subscribers are ABS-CBN, Peoples Television Network Inc., The Huddle Room Media Inc., JRA Advertising (J. Romero and Associates), 720 Consumer Connect, Viva Communications Inc., Manprom, Solar Entertainment Corporation, Starcom, Havas Media Ortega, and Media Agency groups IPG Mediabrands (Touch BPN, UM), Dentsu Aegis Network (Dentsu, Mediaforce, Carat), Omnicom Media Group (OMD, PHD and M2M) as well as Group M (Mindshare, MEC, MediaCom, and Maxus).

International subscribers to Kantar Media include Turner Broadcasting System Asia, NBCU Global Networks Asia Pte Ltd, Google Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Home Box Office (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Scripps Networks Interactive (Asia) Pte. Ltd., MTV Asia, Fox International Channels, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd, CSM Media Research (China), AETN All Asia Networks Pte Ltd, Celestial Tiger Entertainment and Sony Pictures International.