GMA News' 'Ang People's Pope sa Pilipinas' is most watched papal visit coverage

Pope Francis’ visit to the country has been a resounding success – providing an electrifying atmosphere in the five days that he was here and winning the hearts of Filipinos not only through his words and deeds but also because of his captivating smile and sincerity that communicate directly to the soul.

 

And just like in the past – during significant events that help shape the country’s history – more viewers nationwide trusted GMA Network as their primary source of news and information.

 

Pope Francis’ five-day apostolic and state visit to the Philippines, from January 15 to 19, was no exception as GMA-7 and GMA News TV’s joint special “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” emerged as the most watched coverage of the said Papal visit nationwide.

 

Based on household data from the industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA-7’s “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” posted an average of 15% from January 15 to 19 (based on overnight ratings) in NUTAM (National Urban Television Audience Measurement). It led ABS-CBN’s 11.7% by 3.3 rating points.

 

The Kapuso Network’s special coverage, which was bannered by GMA News pillars Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, Vicky Morales, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino and Jessica Soho, together with the full roster of GMA News and Public Affairs, registered even bigger leads in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.

 

In Urban Luzon, which comprises 77% of the total urban TV households nationwide, “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” got 16.9%, very much ahead of ABS-CBN’s 10.4%. Likewise in Mega Manila, which accounts for 59% of all urban TV households in the country, the Kapuso special coverage was the most watched with 18.2% versus ABS-CBN’s 9.2%.

 

“Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” special coverage started with the arrival of Pope Francis on Thursday afternoon, followed by the Pope’s activities on Friday that included the state visit to Malacanang Palace, a Eucharistic celebration at the Manila Cathedral, and a special meeting with families at the Mall of Asia Arena.

 

On Saturday, various GMA News teams covered Pope Francis’ visit to Leyte, which was shortened due to tropical storm Amang. Highlights of his Leyte visit included the Pope’s heart-touching impromptu homily at the Holy Mass held at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban.

 

And on Sunday, “Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” continued its coverage of the historic visit as Pope Francis headed a youth gathering at the University of Santo Tomas and led the record-breaking Mass celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, which was attended by approximately six million people.

 

“Ang People’s Pope sa Pilipinas” also joined the country as it bade farewell to Pope Francis on Monday morning.