Broadcast live on TV5, the much-awaited Barangay Ginebra-San Mig Coffee clash registered a 25.4% audience share, with a high of 28.7% in the game’s thrilling fourth quarter, according to Nielsen Media’s overnight Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) data. Further, at the height of the game when the Gin Kings came from behind and streaked to their 86-69 victory over the San Mig Coffee Mixers, TV5 was able to beat both GMA and ABS-CBN in nationwide urban with 29.6% versus ABS-CBN’s 28% and GMA’s 25.3%. This just goes to show that more Filipinos across the country were tuned in to TV5 to witness the grand opening of the new PBA season.
One defining moment in the Opening Ceremonies at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum was the few minutes of silence offered for the victims of the recent calamities that struck the nation, with people in the three arenas in Manila, Cebu and Davao going silent and offering heartfelt prayers for our sufferingkababayans. The opening also honored legendary players Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc, league pioneer Lim Eng Beng and the late coach Ed Ocampo in this year’s Hall of Famers. Also featured were the parade of teams and muses, and a laser light show symbolizing the country’s unity and collective support for PBA.
The Gin Kings, Talk N Text, and Rain or Shine ushered the PBA’s 39th season with opening-day wins. Phoenix Petroleum was the TV5 press conference sponsor in Davao and Aicila Suites in Cebu. The PBA airs live on TV5 every Wednesday and Friday at 8:00pm, with a delayed telecast of the first game at 11:00pm.TV5 airs the first game live on Saturdays starting at 330pm, while the second game is aired live on AksyonTV at 530pm. Both games will be aired live on TV5 on Sundays beginning at 3pm.The PBA games also have a live simulcast on AksyonTV, starting at 5:30 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, 3:30pm on Saturdays, and 3:00pm on Sundays. Radio listeners nationwide can also follow the action on DZSR Sports Radio 918AM. Viewers in Guam, North Africa, Middle East, and Europe can catch the games on AksyonTV International.
