ABS-CBN Corporation has widened its lead over rival TV stations in February with an average audience share growing to 42%, 10 points higher than GMA Network’s 32%. Data from Kantar Media showed that more Filipino households across urban and rural areas watched ABS-CBN’s programmes as its total day share rose two points from 40% in January, while GMA suffered a one-point drop from 33% in the previous month.

Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,609 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population. February’s figures also reveal that ABS-CBN’s primetime block (6PM-12MN) pulled away with an audience share of 47%, an increase from 44% in January, while GMA dipped to 29% from 31%. GMA’s decline in primetime viewership was also seen in Metro Manila where it only garnered an audience share of 34%, less than ABS-CBN’s 37%. 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 efficiently.

ABS-CBN’s primetime dominance has been bolstered by the viewership of its programmes Ina Kapatid Anak, which received a national TV rating of 37.2% and superhero drama Juan Dela Cruz with 37.9%. Princess and I, meanwhile, finished with 38.1% during its finale on February 1. The fourth season of talent reality show Pilipinas Got Talent rose to 28.4%, while newcomer Apoy sa Dagat rated 25.6%. Maalaala Mo Kaya (30.4%) continued to outperform rival programme Magpakailanman, which managed 21.3%. TV Patrol also remained as the country’s favourite newscast with a national TV rating of 28.5%.

_{Apoy sa Dagat rated 25.6%}

_{Ina Kapatid Anak rated 37.2% stars Maja Salvador (left) and Kim Chiu(right)}

_{TV Patrol anchors ‘Kabayan’ Noli De Castro, Korina Sanchez, and Ted Failon}

ABS-CBN secured the top 12 slots on the list of the 15 most watched programmes in February namely Princess and I (38.1%), Juan Dela Cruz (37.9%), Ina Kapatid Anak (37.2%), Wansapanataym (32.2%), Maalaala Mo Kaya (30.4%), TV Patrol Weekday (28.5%), Pilipinas Got Talent (28.4%), Be Careful With My Heart (28%), Apoy sa Dagat (25.6%), Rated K (24.8%), Kapamilya Deal or No Deal (24.3%), and Goin’ Bulilit (22.8%).

ABS-CBN shifted to Kantar Media/TNS after filing a case vs. AGB Nielsen Media Research for failing to comply with its request to investigate alleged cheating and data tampering in TV ratings. The case is still pending in court contrary to claims by GMA, which is not a party to the case, that it has been resolved.