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| The horror flick U-Turn starring Kim Chiu is ABS-CBN Films' opening salvo in bringing newly produced films to television PPV and online platforms amidst the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Filipino movie buffs in and out of the country can now enjoy watching the freshest newly-produced local flicks on their television sets, PCs and even their mobile devices while staying safe within the comforts of their own home as ABS-CBN Films, the film production and distribution arm of the Philippines' premiere media and entertainment company, partnered with streaming platform iWantTFC and digital online event streaming portal KTX.ph to reach Filipino communities around the globe as well as major local pay TV companies SKYcable and Cignal to serve film buffs in various parts of the country.
"Even if the pandemic has been challenging, it has pushed us to think out of the box. And with the theaters still closed, we thought of ways to reach our audience in different ways," said ABS-CBN Films Managing Director Olivia M. Lamasan. For only Php150, viewers can enjoy a 48-hour access to new movies in their preferred platform whether it is iWantTFC, KTX.ph, SKYcable PPV or Cignal PPV starting off with the horror flick "U-Turn" starring Kim Chiu. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Films' business development, creative and new media head Enrico Santos pointed out what makes this move a leap forward. "All these platforms have been here before but the breakthrough of this is that we can time all these platforms to release the very same movie simultaneously - an original, first-run, never-before-seen Filipino movie at that," he said. "SKYcable and Cignal PPV are tried-and-tested platforms. iWantTFC now has international same-day viewing. The newest platform, KTX.ph, provides viewing with chat and added events," he expounded.
ABS-CBN Films, which includes Star Cinema, Cinema One Originals and Black Sheep under its umbrella, is also producing movies that are skipping theatrical release. Aside from "U-Turn", upcoming films including "My Lockdown Romance", "Boyette (Not A Girl, Yet)", "Four Sisters Before A Wedding", "Princess Dayarette", and "Hello Stranger The Movie" among others are slated to be released simultaneously in multiple platforms. According to Lamasan, ABS-CBN Films remains hopeful for the reopening of cinemas soon. "It's just that for now, we are in this circumstance and we also need to find ways to connect and still be of service to our audience. But we are praying and in full support for the reopening of cinemas," she said.
ABS-CBN Films recently pioneered its first digital movie series "The House Arrest Of Us" starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. Premiered last September, the 13-episode romantic comedy and drama flick is available exclusively on iWantTFC and KTX.ph for only Php499. It also introduced the phenomenal boys love digital series "Hello Stranger" which has garnered a steady following in the Philippines and other parts of the globe including USA, Puerto Rico, Belarus and Thailand. The series ended with up to 14 million views and will soon have a movie spinoff. Aside from producing digital series and movies available on various platforms, ABS-CBN has also delivered a complete musical experience with the successful staging of the digital concert "Apollo" featuring Daniel Padilla which was held last October 11 at KTX.ph.
