Despite drastic shifts in Filipino viewing habits following the pandemic and the franchise denial of a major broadcaster, channels affiliated with the country’s “Big Three” media giants—GMA Network, ABS-CBN Corporation, and TV5 Network Inc.—continue to command the national airwaves.
Recent data from the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) reveals an intensifying battle for the second-place spot among the nation’s top free-to-air channels. According to figures recorded on April 29, the competition has tightened between GMA’s sister station GTV, the Manny V. Pangilinan-led TV5, and the ABS-CBN-linked channels A2Z and ABS-CBN on ALLTV2.
THE RATINGS BREAKDOWN
While GMA Network remains the undisputed leader with a dominant 6.8% TV ratings share, the race for the runner-up position has resulted in a deadlock:
KEY PROGRAMMING DRIVERS
The surge in viewership for these stations is attributed to specific flagship programs:
- GTV: Bolstered significantly by its high-rating movie block, “G! Flicks.”
- TV5: Driven by the legendary noontime show “EAT… Bulaga!,” alongside its news hits “Frontline Express” and “Frontline Pilipinas.”
- A2Z & ABS-CBN on ALLTV2: Sustained by the “Primetime Bida” lineup, featuring the dramas “Blood vs Duty” and “The Alibi: Ang Buong Katotohanan,” as well as the long-running news program “TV Patrol.”
THE REMAINING TOP 10
Rounding out the most-watched list are several digital subchannels and niche platforms. These include GMA’s I Heart Movies and Heart of Asia, as well as RPTV—the result of a strategic partnership between TV5 and RPN-9.
ABS-CBN’s presence is further cemented by its cable-themed offerings, Kapamilya Channel and CineMo, while TV5’s One Sports also secured a spot in the top tier.