AGB Nielsen Philippine TV ratings controversy

Last updated

A legal conflict among AGB Nielsen Philippines, GMA Network, Inc. and ABS-CBN Corporation in the Philippines for an alleged television ratings breach that occurred in Western Visayan cities of Bacolod and Iloilo, has been ongoing since the final quarter of 2007-2008.

Contents

Background

On December 20, 2007, Judge Charito Gonzales, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Br. 80 released a temporary restraining order on TV ratings surveys based on a civil case filed by ABS-CBN Corporation versus AGB Nielsen Media Research Philippines. ABS-CBN accused rival GMA Network of funding bribing operations at Bacolod, to discredit the former. The Court further ordered ABS-CBN to file comment on the plea of AGB Nielsen for the alleged gathering and dissemination of television ratings data, within five days or until December 22.

On December 21, 2007, DZMM correspondent Junrie Hidalgo reported a news story titled AGB Nielsen, umamin sa dayaan: GMA Network, tahasang itinurong nasa likod ng dayaan (AGB Nielsen admits the cheating: GMA Network fiercely accused of being responsible of the cheating) during the program Showbiz Mismo, hosted by Cristy Fermin and Jobert Sucaldito. The news story is based on an interview of AGB Nielsen's General Manager Maya Reforma regarding the alleged cheating.

In response, GMA aired a TV plug[ clarification needed ] condemning the alleged biased reporting and denied the accusations of ABS-CBN. They later filed a PHP15-million civil libel suit against ABS-CBN on January 3, 2008. The respondents included Hidalgo, Fermin, Sucaldito, the station manager and news manager of DZMM and hosts, writers and executive producers of TV programs Bandila, Entertainment Live and The Buzz after the same story was aired on the mentioned programs.

On January 7, 2008, the Quezon City RTC junked ABS-CBN's suit against AGB Nielsen, saying the case was "prematurely filed" before the court. Judge Charito Gonzales's basis was the principle of mutuality of contracts, citing Article 1308 and 1196, New Civil Code of the Philippines. Also, Judge Samuel Gaerlan, QCRTC, Branch 92 issued court summons against ABS-CBN and its 15 personnel, in the P15-million damage suit by GMA Network.

On January 17, 2008, Judge Gaerlan recused himself from the case, due to a conflict of interest with the legal department of ABS-CBN. [1] The case was later re-raffled on January 28, 2008, [2] and eventually assigned to Judge Henri Inting of Branch 95, QCRTC. Judge Inting submitted GMA's petition for a temporary restraining order for decision[ clarification needed ].

On February 1, ABS-CBN presented two witnesses, Romie Diamanse and Francis Casumpang, stating RGMA head Mike Enriquez was said to have given the order to cheat in a meeting. Enriquez denied the charges and said that the statements were "shameless, malicious fiction delivered by tainted informers with an axe to grind." Diamanse and Casumpang were former employees of RGMA's 93.5 Campus Radio Iloilo (now Barangay FM 93.5 Iloilo). Casumpang resigned from the station after charges of embezzlement, and would go on to work for ABS-CBN's MOR 91.1 Iloilo. RGMA accepted Diamanse's resignation as he was considered to be "ineffective in his duties." [3]

An anonymous witness approached the ABS-CBN stations in Davao, Iloilo and Cebu to testify that the alleged employees of GMA were bribing them to watch their programs. [4] Another witness from Davao testified that they had to watch GMA programs in exchange for grocery items, upon discovering that they were using an AGB metering panel. At the end of the month, a group of women visited the witness's house to deliver the grocery items such as canned goods. [4] Another witness from Iloilo said that they had to watch GMA programs in exchange for receiving half of their electrical expenses. She alleged that the "employees" visit every month to deliver grocery items and present their ID with the logo of GMA. The group was said to have also given items such as an umbrella, a plastic cup and towels – all with the GMA logo. GMA Network denied that they hired the person to do door-to-door visits to conduct the alleged rating manipulations. [4]

On February 14, 2008, Judge Inting issued a TRO barring ABS-CBN from airing defamatory statements against GMA. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMA Network</span> Commercial television network in the Philippines

GMA Network is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network Inc. The network is headquartered in the GMA Network Center in Quezon City and its transmitter, Tower of Power, is located at Tandang Sora Avenue, Barangay Culiat also in Quezon City with regional stations and offices strategically located in over 12 major cities across the country including Dagupan, Naga, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu and Davao. GMA Network is commonly referred to as the Kapuso Network in reference to the outline of the company's logo; the branding was originally introduced in 1992 and was officially introduced on October 27, 2002 during an episode of its now-defunct noontime variety show SOP. GMA Network is one of the largest television and radio network in the Philippines, along with TV5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABS-CBN</span> Commercial media network in the Philippines

ABS-CBN was a Philippine commercial broadcast network that served as the flagship property of the ABS-CBN Corporation, a company under Lopez Holdings Corporation owned by the López family. The network was headquartered at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City, with additional offices and production facilities in 25 major cities including Baguio, Naga, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, and Bulacan, where ABS-CBN's production and post-production facility in Horizon IT Park is located. ABS-CBN is colloquially referred to as the Kapamilya Network; its brand was originally introduced in 1999 and was officially introduced in 2003 during the celebration of its 50th anniversary, and was used until it was forced by the National Telecommunications Commission to cease and desist from free-to-air broadcasting due to the lack of congressional franchise. ABS-CBN is the largest media company in the Philippines and was the oldest television broadcaster in Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DZBB-AM</span> Radio station in Metro Manila, Philippines

DZBBSuper Radyo is a radio station owned and operated by GMA Network. It serves as the flagship station of the Super Radyo network and one of the assets of GMA Radio and GMA Integrated News. The station's studio is located at the 3rd floor of GMA Network Studio Annex, EDSA corner GMA Network Drive, Diliman, Quezon City, while its transmitter is located along Camia St., Brgy. Panghulo, Obando, Bulacan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Revillame</span> Filipino television host, singer, songwriter, businessman, actor and comedian (born 1961)

Wilfredo "Willie" Buendia Revillame, is a Filipino television host, comedian, drummer, singer, songwriter, actor, and businessman. He has hosted numerous variety shows including Magandang Tanghali Bayan, Wowowee, Wil Time Bigtime, and Wowowin. He has signed contracts with four Philippine television networks including ABS-CBN, GMA Network, TV5, and ALLTV. Revillame returned to TV5 in 2024, signing a new co-production deal with MediaQuest after leaving ALLTV the year prior.

Fantaserye or telefantasya is a genre of Philippine television programming which mixes soap opera, telenovela, fantasy, myth, magic and enchantment. The episodes are usually 30 minutes long and have a daily slot in the evening primetime row.

<i>Maria Flordeluna</i> Filipino TV series or program

Maria Flordeluna is a 2007 Philippine television drama series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng and Rechie del Carmen, it stars Eliza Pineda in the title role. The series is based on the 1970s radio drama Flordeluna, written by Marcos Navarro Sacol and its television adaptation by RPN in 1978, starring Janice de Belen in the title role. It aired on the network's Primetime Bida line up from February 12 to June 22, 2007, replacing Super Inggo and was replaced by Ysabella.

AGB Nielsen Media Research Philippines, commonly called AGB Nielsen, under The Nielsen Company is a global leader in audience measurement, market research firms, and data analytics, with a focus on media in the Philippines. Nielsen conducts audience measurements for television ratings in specific areas of the Philippines, particularly in national urban and rural areas.

The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 2011. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well as information about controversies and carriage disputes.

<i>i-Shine Talent Camp</i> Philippine television reality show

i-Shine Talent Camp is a Philippine television reality competition show broadcast by GMA Network and ABS-CBN. It premiered on June 12, 2011. The show concluded on August 9, 2014 with a total of 29 episodes and 4 seasons.

<i>Tunay na Buhay</i> Philippine television documentary show

Tunay na Buhay is a Philippine television documentary show broadcast by GMA Network, GMA News TV and GTV. Originally hosted by Rhea Santos, it premiered on January 21, 2011 replacing OFW Diaries on the network's evening line up. The show concluded on GMA Network on July 15, 2020. The show moved to GMA News TV on August 5, 2020 on the network's Power Block line up. Pia Arcangel served as the host. The show returned to GMA Network on January 6, 2021. The show concluded on January 12, 2022.

The X Factor Philippines is a Philippine music competition to find a new singing talent. The first season began on June 23, 2012. KC Concepcion is the host of the show, while the judging panel consist of Charice, Gary Valenciano, Pilita Corrales, and Martin Nievera.

The fourth season of Pilipinas Got Talent is a talent show on ABS-CBN. The show premiered on February 16, 2013. Billy Crawford, and Luis Manzano reprised their hosting duties; while Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai delas Alas, and Freddie Garcia returned as judges of the show.

<i>The Voice Kids</i> (Philippine TV series) Philippine television reality show

The Voice Kids is a Philippine television reality talent competition show broadcast by ABS-CBN, Kapamilya Channel and GMA Network. Based on the Dutch television series The Voice Kids, it is a spin-off of The Voice of the Philippines. Originally directed by Johnny Manahan, it was originally hosted by Luis Manzano and Alex Gonzaga. It premiered on May 24, 2014 on ABS-CBN on the network's Yes Weekend line up replacing Bet on Your Baby. The show has aired five seasons, 103 episodes and 2 specials.

<i>PiliPinas Debates 2016</i> Series of presidential debates in the Philippines

PiliPinas Debates 2016 is a debate series administered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with the assistance of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas in preparation for the May 9, 2016, general election. In January 2016, the Commission on Elections confirmed that they would hold three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. This will be the first time that the COMELEC will host debates since the 1992 elections, with ABC-5 as the host network fresh from the launch of the recently restored broadcast network on February 21 of the same year, after a 20-year rest due to Martial Law. The debates were branded as PiliPinas Debates 2016. The first word is a portmanteau of Pili, Filipino for "choose" and Pinas, shortcut for the Philippines in Filipino.

The third season of The Voice Kids was a Philippine reality singing competition on ABS-CBN. Lea Salonga and Bamboo Mañalac returned to the show as coaches. Sarah Geronimo left the show to focus on her other projects, such as ASAP, and a new album. As a result, Sharon Cuneta replaced her as a coach. Luis Manzano and Robi Domingo returned to host the show; however, Yeng Constantino was replaced by Kim Chiu. Constantino didn't return to the show due to her earlier commitments with some other programs.

<i>Pinoy Boyband Superstar</i> Filipino TV series or program

Pinoy Boyband Superstar is a Philippine reality singing competition shown on ABS-CBN. The show is hosted by Billy Crawford. The judges of the show are composed of Aga Muhlach, Yeng Constantino, Sandara Park and Vice Ganda. The show premiered on September 10, 2016, replacing the third season of The Voice Kids. The goal of the show is to find the members for the newest "Pinoy boyband".

<i>Superstar Duets</i> 2016 Philippine television reality show

Superstar Duets is a 2016 Philippine television reality show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Jennylyn Mercado, it premiered on September 3, 2016 on the network's Sabado Star Power sa Gabi line up replacing Lip Sync Battle Philippines. The show concluded on December 17, 2016 with a total of 16 episodes.

<i>I Heart Davao</i> 2017 Philippine television drama series

I Heart Davao is a 2017 Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Marlon N. Rivera, it stars Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez. It premiered on June 26, 2017 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing Meant to Be. The series concluded on August 18, 2017 with a total of 40 episodes. It was replaced by My Korean Jagiya in its timeslot.

References

  1. GMANews.TV, Judge in ratings row recuss self
  2. GMANews.TV, Re-raffle of GMA Network case vs ABS-CBN reset to Jan 28
  3. Mike Enriquez: "ABS-CBN shameless in its efforts to discredit GMA Network" by, Erwin Santiago, Philippine Entertainment Portal.
  4. 1 2 3 "Lumantad na ang Witness sa GMA manipulation of TV Ratings". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  5. GMANews.TV, QC court issues TRO vs ABS-CBN in ratings tussle