GMA News and Public Affairs once again set the bar high as its Eleksyon 2019: The GMA News and Public Affairs Special Coverage was the most watched coverage nationwide based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s overnight ratings data for May 13 and 14.
Overall, GMA’s special coverage of the 2019 Midterm Elections recorded an average people rating of 3.2 percent in National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), beating ABS-CBN’s Halalan 2019, which only got 2.8 percent.
In Urban Luzon, GMA’s Eleksyon 2019 special coverage scored an average rating of 3.4 percent while ABS-CBN recorded 2.4 percent.
In Urban Visayas, GMA’s special coverage on May 13 recorded an average rating of 2.9 percent against ABS-CBN Halalan 2019’s 2.7 percent.
Meanwhile, the Eleksyon 2019 coverage of GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras last May 13 won over its rival program with 12 percent NUTAM people rating versus TV Patrol’s 11.6 percent. Late-night newscast Saksi likewise triumphed over its counterpart with 3.3 percent NUTAM people rating as against Bandila’s 2.6 percent.
The network’s Eleksyon 2019 special coverage was the first to broadcast the partial and unofficial results tally. It also drew praises from viewers and netizens for its impressive, state-of-the-art set and graphics.
Powered by the latest technology and equipment from world leaders in media technology, GMA News’ 360-degree news set featured augmented reality executions and immersive graphics that provided effective data visualization related to the 2019 Midterm Elections. GMA Network spent P63 million for the acquisition of the said state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
Moreover, GMA News Online’s Eleksyon 2019 live stream was the most-viewed coverage of the midterm polls online. The marathon Eleksyon 2019 coverage single-handedly drew 2.1 million views on YouTube, beating the combined total of 1.9 million of all live streams by ABS-CBN, ANC, and DZMM on the top video platform.
Across all social media platforms, the live stream of the Eleksyon 2019 broadcast drew a total of more than 4.1 million views. From May 13 to 14, GMA News garnered more than 36 million views, with viewers watching nearly 90 million minutes of news reports and live streams on all social media platforms.
Netizens from other parts of the world also relied on GMA News Online’s Eleksyon 2019 coverage, taking one-third of the all online viewers of the live stream, with the highest viewership in Saudi Arabia, United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada.
GMA News Online was an essential resource for voters before and after the polls, with users checking out the website for MyKodigo, which allowed them to generate sample ballots they could take to the precincts, as well as practical guides on candidates’ ”Stand on Issues” and voting processes. After the elections, the Eleksyon 2019 website delivered comprehensive results for the national and local races, with features such as heat maps, local-level performances of senatorial candidates, and smart search delivering the best experiences for users.
Playing an integral part in the special coverage were news anchors Pia Arcangel, Ivan Mayrina, Rhea Santos, Connie Sison, and Atom Araullo together with the most reliable team of journalists and stringers here and abroad. Joining them were news teams from GMA’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB 594khz, Dobol B sa News TV, Barangay LS FM, RGMA Network, Inc., and GMA Regional TV.
Together, they upheld GMA News and Public Affairs’ brand of news reportage: “Walang kinikilingan, Walang pinoprotektahan, Walang kasinungalingan. Serbisyong Totoo lamang.”
Further adding Kapuso star power were the tandems of Joyce Pring and Juancho Trivino and Gabbi Garcia and Benjamin Alves who reported from the Social Media Hub and Action Center during the two-day coverage.