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| (Image Source: Starmometer/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The impact and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Philippine entertainment industry and its indefinite absence from free TV due to the non-renewal of its legislative broadcasting franchise has pushed ABS-CBN Corporation, the premiere media and entertainment company in the Philippines, to shift its focus and eventually evolve into a content company in order to continue serving audiences both nationwide and worldwide. The company has been exerting efforts to continue its commitment of being In The Service of Filipinos across the globe through various content across different genres.
Among these efforts is that the now 68-year old broadcasting company is now open to collaborations and partnerships as evidenced by its forged partnerships with WeTV iflix, Netflix, Spotify, iQiYi, Kumu and Podcast Network Asia among others with the purpose of sharing the story of the Filipinos and promoting Filipino talent on the global stage. In fact, iQiYi has collaborated with ABS-CBN to produce two new original series - first from Southeast Asia - that are slated to be released within the year. ABS-CBN remains keen on maintaining its presence on free TV with its blocktimer partnership with Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc. and Broadcast Enterprise and Affiliated Media Inc. (BEAM) and several Kapamilya shows airing on TV5. Kapamilya news and entertainment shows are also shown on pay TV via ABS-CBN channels on Skycable, Cignal, Satlite, GSat, Cablelink and member-operators of the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA).
In the middle of 2020, ABS-CBN launched Kapamilya Online Live which offers live and on-demand streaming of current and archival programming on Facebook and YouTube. Kapamilya Online Live would eventually become a major benefactor in the company's strong dominance on the two social media platforms as it averages ten to fifteen million views every day. ABS-CBN Entertainment remains the largest YouTube channel in Southeast Asia with more than 36.4 million subscribers while its official Facebook page garners 112 million followers and 13.5 million active users visit ABS-CBN's websites every month. On the other hand, ABS-CBN's online streaming service iWantTFC continue to enjoy its growth as it has now gained four million subscribers. ABS-CBN News has also made great strides in its digital transformation to reach more audiences online and around the globe. Its news website generated 1.1 billion page views and attracted more than 220 million active users amid the challenges in 2020. It remains the biggest Philippine news organization on Facebook with 22 million followers on their main page, and 17 million on three other ABS-CBN News pages, and on YouTube, where it already has 13 million subscribers on the main channel. It has also been producing made-for-digital video stories, podcasts, and recently launched its official account on TikTok.
ABS-CBN has also harnessed new technologies that enable the company to continue producing shows, series and content to Filipino viewers across the globe. It has also implemented health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of the cast, staff and crew while filming for new content amidst the threat of the pandemic. Through these efforts and innovations, ABS-CBN delivered meaningful and inspiring stories that embody the traits and values of the modern Filipino in spite of adversities and challenges including "Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin", "Huwag Kang Mangamba", "Marry Me, Marry You", "He's Into Her", "Hoy, Love You", "Hello Stranger" and "The House Arrest Of Us" among others which eventually become huge hits on-air and online. Then there is the Kapamilya YOUniverse featuring a mix of entertaining and informative content from ABS-CBN Entertainment, Star Cinema, ABS-CBN Music and MOR Entertainment including original content that can keep online viewers delightfully entertained during the day. Recently, ABS-CBN expands its presence in the podcasting space through its partnership with Podcast Network Asia to produce five new informative podcasts for those interested to listen to the latest on their favorite celebrities.
With these in mind, it is without question that ABS-CBN has laid out an essential gameplan in spite of its absence from free TV which remains to be missed by millions of Filipino viewing households, and it is, according to ABS-CBN digital head Jamie Lopez, "to tell the most meaningful stories to many people as possible". And these stories are literally carrying the network's brand, values and commitment to those who want them and, more particularly, with their own reasons why they should be proud to be a Kapamilya and a Filipino.
