After playing a tight ratings match with rival ABS-CBN in June, GMA-7 posted significant increase in Mega Manila TV ratings in July. According to a report released to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) by the corporate communications department of GMA-7, the Kapuso Network has "established confident margins over competition in its bailiwick area based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement."
The report indicates that people data from July 1 to 31 (July 25 to 31 based on overnight data) showed GMA-7 leading in total day (6 a.m. to 12 midnight) average total audience share by 5.6 points with 37.5 percent versus ABS-CBN's 31.9.
During primetime (6:30 pm to 11 pm) of the covered period, GMA-7 was ahead of ABS-CBN by 4.4 share points with 39.7 percent vis-à-vis the latter's 35.3.
On weekdays, GMA-7 outranked competition by 5.3 total day share points with 39 percent as against ABS-CBN's 33.7 percent. On weekday primetime, GMA-7's Telebabad (primetime) programs made a collective margin of 2.7 points versus ABS-CBN's lineup in its Primetime Bida block. GMA-7's primetime block reportedly delivered stronger share performance with 41.8 points compared to ABS-CBN's 39.1.
On weekends, GMA-7 recorded a lead of 6.3 percentage points in audience share with 34.1 percent as against competition's 27.8. On weekend primetime, GMA-7 widened the gap to 8.9 points with 34.5 versus ABS-CBN's 25.6.
Mega Manila comprises 55 percent of total urban television households nationwide. It includes Metro Manila and suburbs—parts of Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
In another key area—Urban Luzon—which made up 77 percent of television households nationwide, GMA-7 had a slim lead of 0.4 percentage point over ABS-CBN. The Kapuso network registered 35.8 versus the Kapamilya network's 35.4. The margin spelled a noticeable decline in ABS-CBN's ratings performance in the said area, when it led GMA-7 by 5.4 points the previous month.