IT IS without doubt that giant network GMA is intensifying further its primetime bloc, offering compelling and quality entertainment to its growing audience.
Although it has continued to dominate the ratings game on television, the Kapuso Network has pursued innovation and offer new programs which continue to endear them to many Filipinos.
For one, the network is bringing back Filipino audience's interest to fantaseryes, a genre that pushed the network on top of its kind. In fact, it holds the title as "the original fantaserye network."
The remake of fantaserye Encantadia, which topped the ratings during its run last year, ended last week, but was immediately followed by the airing of Mulawin vs Ravena, a sequel to the original fantaserye Mulawin which was aired in early 2000s.
The success of the original Mulawin started it all -- after which, fantaseryes had become a trend on television. Mulawin even brought its lead stars Richard Guttierez and Angel Locsin to stardom.
Last week, GMA started airing Mulawin's sequel and it's giving Coco Martin-starrer Probinsiyano a good fight in the first week of its run in the ratings game on its timeslot.
This week, the Kapuso Network presents its highly-anticipated local adaptation of the hit and internationally acclaimed Korean series, My Love From The Star, living once again to its chronicler as the Heart of Asia.
Starstruck's Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado plays Steffi Chavez, a strikingly beautiful, sophisticated, and overly confident popular actress who is senseless and careless at times.
She is paired with model-turned-actor Gil Cuerva who plays the role of Matteo Domingo, a highly intelligent, aloof, but cold and often distant extra-terrestrial being forced to live his days here on Earth.
The good-looking Cuerva, a Spanish-Filipino mestizo and a graduate of Dela Salle University, is touted as the newest Kapuso heartthrob.
The Pinoy version of the popular Korean series also stars Gabby Eigenmann as Jackson Libredo, the older brother of Winston, CEO of their company, and heir of the family wealth; Christian Bautista as Winston Libredo, the younger brother of Jackson, who is charming and happy-go-lucky; Glydel Mercado as Lynelle Chavez, Steffi's gold-digger and social climber mother who constantly mooches off her daughter; Renz Fernandez as Peter Yuzon, Lucy's brother and the new prosecutor who comes in to investigate the death of Rachel; Jackie Rice as Lucy Yuzon, Steffi's friend from high school.
Playing a very special role in the remake is Kapuso leading lady Rhian Ramos as Rachel Andrada, another sought-after actress and the number 1 rival of Steffi in the industry.
The series is under the skillful direction of esteemed director Bb. Joyce Bernal.
These new primetime shows are seen to further boost GMA's hold in television audience share.
GMA has steadily improved its nationwide TV ratings lead over ABS-CBN since the last quarter of 2016, based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
GMA wrapped up the month of April 2017 with a 43.3 percent total day people audience share in nationwide ratings (Nutam), up by an impressive 8.2 points over ABS-CBN's 35.1 percent. GMA's margin over ABS-CBN has grown since the last quarter of 2016 and during the first quarter of 2017, where GMA led by 5.1 points and 6.2 points, respectively.
