ABS-CBN Corporation, the country’s largest Filipino-owned multimedia conglomerate, opened the year 2011 on top as its programs continue to dominate the national TV ratings, according to the latest report of Kantar Media.

For the month of January, ABS-CBN’s garnered a 40% audience share or nine points higher than GMA’s 31% on primetime despite the Kapuso channel’s two new nightly offerings.

ABS-CBN’s primetime series “Noah” starring Piolo Pascual and Zaijian Jaranilla got a 27.6% rating or 4.6 points higher than “Dwarfina” when GMA launched it last January 10.

More Filipinos preferred the remake of “Mara Clara” on ABS-CBN which rated even higher with 29.6% or 10.6 points more than the remake of “Machete” when it debuted on GMA last January 24 with only 19%.

On the other hand, ABS-CBN’s own new offering, the fantaserye “Mutya,” instantly made a splash with a rating of 32.6% during its maiden episode last January 31.

Overall, nine ABS-CBN programs made it to the country’s top 10 most-watched programs in January topped by “Mutya.”

In close second was “Mara Clara” with an average rating of 30% and followed by “Noah” with 27.7%.

“TV Patrol,” the most-viewed primetime newscast in the country, obtained a 27.2% national ratings and placed third in the top 10 list.

For its timeslot, “TV Patrol” has been consistently beating “24 Oras” (20.8%) and TV5’s “Willing-Willie” (12.8%), contrary to the impression being claimed by other sources.

The other ABS-CBN programs in the top 10 include “Imortal” (26.3%) in 5th place, followed by weekend top-raters ”Wansapanataym” (24.3%) and “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (23.4%).

Korina Sanchez’ “Rated K” (21.6%) topped all current affairs programs and placed eighth overall in the top 10 list, while “Goin Bulilit” (21.2%) placed 10th.

The Kapamilya network remains number one nationwide with the highest overall audience share of 36% over GMA’s audience share of 34% for the month of January.

ABS-CBN generated net income of P2.9 billion for the first nine months of 2010, as it sustained into the third quarter the strong growth momentum in regular advertising revenues in the first semester. This profit level is more than double the net income of P1.3 billion in the first nine months of 2009.

Kantar Media, a global market research group, offers audience research measurement systems in 32 countries. It started releasing its Philippine television audience measurement data in February 2009 with panels composed of 1,370 representative households covering urban Philippines and reporting on seven sectors namely the National Capital Region, North Luzon, Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

ABS-CBN shifted to Kantar Media/TNS after filing a case vs. AGB Nielsen Media Research for failing to comply with its request to investigate alleged cheating and data tampering in TV ratings. The case is still pending in court.