The dispute has led to a US$1.5 million civil lawsuit filed by ABS-CBN, the country’s leading broadcaster, which accuses the media research company of releasing TV ratings from metered households that have taken bribes.
Authorities have ordered AGB Nielsen to stop gathering data and releasing nationwide TV ratings for 20 days.
Authorities have ordered AGB Nielsen to stop gathering data and releasing nationwide TV ratings for 20 days.
Alec Pang, business unit director of OMD Philippines, commented: “Currently, both stations have presented their claims and we have heard both sides of the story. We are giving Nielsen time to investigate and validate their ratings.”
A statement from ABS-CBN chairman and CEO, Eugenio Lopez III, reads: “We have discovered what can only be viewed as a systematic, organised and well funded attempt to cheat the ratings system.”
AGB Nielsen has in turn pointed to GMA Network staff who they claim have bribed metered households in Bacolod City to influence ratings in the area.
GMA Network, the second-largest TV network in the country, has denied the accusations and has threatened to sue for libel.
A statement from ABS-CBN chairman and CEO, Eugenio Lopez III, reads: “We have discovered what can only be viewed as a systematic, organised and well funded attempt to cheat the ratings system.”
AGB Nielsen has in turn pointed to GMA Network staff who they claim have bribed metered households in Bacolod City to influence ratings in the area.
GMA Network, the second-largest TV network in the country, has denied the accusations and has threatened to sue for libel.
