ABS-CBN kicked off the year 2017 on top, as more viewers in January from both urban and rural homes nationwide preferred programs that give inspiration and promote love of family and compassion.

The Kapamilya network enjoyed an average audience share of 44% or eight points higher than GMA’s 36%, according to data from Kantar Media.

Out of the top 20 most watched programs in the country last month, 15 programs were produced by ABS-CBN. Topping the list was the undisputed number one show “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” which tackles relevant social issues and promotes family values to viewers. It registered an average national TV rating of 37.2%.

It was followed by “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids,” which gives an avenue for celebrity kids to showcase their musical talents, with 35.2%. Values-laden series “Wansapanataym,” meanwhile, also made it to the list with 30.1%.

“MMK” scored 30% and continued to give hope and life lessons with its depiction of Filipinos’ real-life stories and struggles.

ABS-CBN’s newest primetime series “My Dear Heart,” which highlights people’s capacity to love, also resonated with viewers as it recorded 28.5%.

Also part of the top 20 are “TV Patrol” (28.8%), “Magpahanggang Wakas” (25%), “Home Sweetie Home” (24.9%), “Goin Bulilit” (23.1%)“A Love to Last” (22.7%), “TV Patrol Weekend” (18.6%), “Ipaglaban Mo” (17.7%), “Minute to Win It Last Man Standing” (17.7%), “Doble Kara” (17.4%), and “It’s Showtime” (16.8%).

ABS-CBN’s live telecast of the 65th Miss Universe also fared better than competition and scored national TV rating of 27.4% versus GMA’s 17%.

Kantar Media, which uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes, represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

Meanwhile, the Kapamilya network also ruled household viewership across all time blocks especially in primetime (6PM-12MN) where it scored 47%, an 11-point lead compared to GMA’s 36%. The primetime block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.

Viewers nationwide also tuned in to ABS-CBN in other parts of the day. Aside from primetime, ABS-CBN won in other time blocks nationwide that include morning block (6AM-12NN) with 40% versus GMA’s 35%; the noontime block (12NN-3PM) with 44% versus GMA’s 36%; and afternoon block (3PM-6PM) with 45% versus GMA’s 37%.

As ABS-CBN kept its lead over its rival network, it also dominated the digital space in 2016. ABS-CBN’s media website www.abs-cbn.com breached three billion page views and averaged 40.3 million monthly users, becoming the biggest local website in the country. It also ranked fourth after global giants Facebook, YouTube, and Google, according to web traffic data and analytics site Alexa.

In other areas, ABS-CBN also beat GMA in January. More viewers tune in to the Kapamilya network in Total Balance Luzon with an average national audience share of 46% versus GMA’s 39%; in Total Luzon with 40% vs GMA’s 38%, in Total Visayas with 51% versus GMA’s 32%; and in Total Mindanao with 52% versus GMA’s 31%.