It seemed PBA’s broadcast on A2Z really made a big impact on primetime bida viewership, particularly the Kapamilya action-drama teleserye ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo (FPJBQ).’
The fluctuations in FPJBQ’s ratings became apparent during PBA’s tenure on A2Z and subsequent transfer to RPTV Channel 9. A2Z commenced airing PBA games in October 2023, leading to a decline in FPJBQ’s ratings after a few weeks. This allowed its Kapuso rival to pose a significant threat to its leadership status.
On November 8, 2023, FPJBQ experienced a substantial drop, recording a rating of 14.8 percent, down 1.4 percent from the previous day’s 16.2 percent. Meanwhile, its competitor ‘Black Rider’ saw an increase from 12.2 percent on November 7 to 13.1 percent on November 8.
FPJBQ’s ratings continued to trend downwards, with ‘Black Rider’ closing the gap on December 27, scoring 12.5 percent, just 0.2 percent below FPJBQ’s 12.7 percent. The competition intensified on January 5, with ‘Black Rider’ narrowing the gap to 0.1 percent, achieving 13.6 percent against FPJBQ’s 13.7 percent.
FPJBQ suffered its first defeat on January 24, as the PBA coverage on A2Z contributed to its decline. ‘Black Rider’ claimed its first win with a 0.3 percent lead, scoring 12.5 percent against FPJBQ’s 12.2 percent. Subsequent defeats occurred on January 29 and February 5, with ‘Black Rider’ achieving ratings of 13.1 percent vs. 12.8 percent and 13.9 percent vs. 13.8 percent, respectively. On February 7, ‘Black Rider’ secured one of its biggest leads, posting a rating of 13.8 percent vs. FPJBQ’s 11.8 percent.
However, starting February 12, A2Z stopped airing PBA games, moving to RPTV Channel 9, signaling the return of the primetime bida’s complete lineup from Monday to Friday.
With FPJBQ consistently airing on A2Z, its ratings significantly improved, reclaiming the top spot in the ratings chart as the overall number-one program in the country. On Friday, February 16, FPJBQ regained the ratings throne, recording a 14.6 percent rating, 0.2 percent higher than the former number one program ’24 Oras,’ which scored 14.4 percent.
Since then, the Coco Martin-led action drama teleserye has maintained its position as the undisputed overall number one program in the country until the latest ratings report on Thursday, February 29, achieving a rating of 15.6 percent, 1.1 percent higher than the number 2 program ’24 Oras,’ which scored 14.5 percent.
This proved the wide viewership of ABS-CBN programs, particularly FPJBQ, on A2Z, which was temporarily disrupted during the PBA broadcast. Now that they are regularly aired on A2Z again, expectations are high for FPJBQ and other primetime bida programs to dominate the ratings race against their Kapuso counterparts.
