he country’s longest-running noontime show “EAT…Bulaga” has narrowed the ratings gap vs. rival “It’s Showtime” according to the latest rating reports from the Nielsen NUTAM People survey.

‘EAT…Bulaga’ narrows gap with ‘It’s Showtime’ in the noontime ratings race© Provided by LionhearTV

For the week of September 23 to  27, “EAT…Bulaga” scored closer ratings number against the Kapamilya noontime show.

On Monday, September  23,  “EAT…Bulaga” registered a rating of 3.8 percent, 2.8 percent below “It’s Showtime’s”  6.6 percent.

On the following day, Tuesday, September 24, “EAT…Bulaga” marked a 0.1 percent improvement to 3.9 percent, same with “It’s Showtime” which climbed to 7.1 percent.

During the midweek on Wednesday, September 25, “EAT…Bulaga” further pulled ahead, posting an increase of 0.2 percent to 4.1 percent while “It’s Showtime” dropped by 1 percent to 6.1 percent. This marked “EAT…Bulaga’s” lowest rating margin at 2 percent after being brutally dominated by “It’s Showtime” in the past weeks.

On Thursday, September 26, “EAT…Bulaga” sustained its 4.1 percent rating, but ‘It’s Showtime” made a slight improvement to 6.3 percent, increasing the gap to 2.2 percent.

Finally on Friday, “EAT…Bulaga” experience a setback after decreasing to 3.6 percent while “It’s Showtime” further improved to  7.1 percent putting the ratings gap to 3.5 percent.

Narrowing of  the ratings gap between the two competing noontime shows could be attributed to “It’s Showtime” pre-taped broadcast. With Vice Ganda’s absence due to his US concert tour, “It’s Showtime” aired pre-taped episodes with most of them without the presence of Vice Ganda. With this it seemed “It’s Showtime” viewers preferred a live airing with Vice Ganda on the show.

Will “It’s Showtime” and Vice Ganda’s return to live episode make the noontime ratings race lopsided again? Or will this signal “EAT…Bulaga’s” slow and steady rise back in the game?