Blast TV
 | |
Type of site | OTT streaming platform |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Area served | Philippines |
| Owner | TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation |
| URL | blasttv |
| Registration | Required |
| Launched | 2020 |
| Current status | Active |
Blast TV is a Philippine over-the-top streaming media and free ad-supported streaming television service owned by TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation. The service offers in-house linear streaming channels, as well as video on demand content from NBCUniversal, Paramount Global, Sony Pictures Entertainment, MGM Television, and Lionsgate. In addition, Blast TV also houses Studio Universal.
The service is available to Converge and Globe broadband subscribers.
History
[edit]As TAP Go
[edit]The service traced its origins in 2020 as TAP Go, a streaming service offering live channels from TAP DMV and live sporting events. TAP Go was suspending its operations in November 2020, but continues to stream live football on its sister site PremierFootball.ph.[1] The service resumed in August 2021, coinciding with TAP DMV's coverage of Manny Pacquiao's recently concluded bout against Yordenis Ugas on its own cable channels.
TAP Go was relaunched in October 2022 with additional live TV channels from third-party content providers like Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific, Paramount Global, Rock Entertainment Holdings, and ABS-CBN. In addition, TAP Go has also offers in-house FAST/linear channels through a partnership with Endeavor Streaming, namely: Laff, Crime TV, Comic U, and Game Show Central.[2][3]
As Blast TV
[edit]In August 2023, TAP DMV and Converge ICT formally launched Blast TV, originally a FAST-oriented streaming service that offers linear channels and video on-demand content.[4]
On September 18, 2023, TAP DMV launched a new hub for Blast TV called Studio Universal, a linear channel and video-on-demand.[5]
In November 2023, TAP DMV officially shut down the TAP Go service, with its entire content were merged into Blast TV.
On January 20, 2024, TAP DMV announced that it will launch a new hub for Paramount+ within the Blast TV service in June of the same year, after the latter signed a content licensing agreement with Paramount Global Content Distribution.[6]
Content and availability
[edit]As of 2024, Blast TV offers in-house linear channels (Laff, Crime TV, Comic U, Game Show Central, Blast Cinema, Family Movies, Fear, Blast Action, Reality TV, Talk Shows, and Showcase Drama) in addition to its own cable channels that are also streamed on the said service, as well as third-party channels. In addition, Blast TV also houses the Studio Universal hub, which features content library from NBCUniversal; and Setanta Sports, which broadcasts live coverages of selected matches from the Premier League, La Liga and the NBA.
The service is available free of charge for Converge FiberX subscribers (including Surf2Sawa and Bida Fiber plans) as well as for Globe At Home broadband subscribers (both Prepaid and Postpaid), but requires user membership. Subscription for non-telco partners is also available on a monthly payment basis.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Olivares, Rick (October 10, 2021). "On tap with Renen de Guia". Business Mirror. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ "Stream live TV on the go". Malaya Business Insight. November 30, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ Perry, Joseph (September 16, 2022). "Filipino platform Tap DMV launches expanded service following Endeavor Streaming tie-up". SportBusiness. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ "Converge & TapDMV announce the launch of BlastTV". Manila Bulletin. August 9, 2023.
- ^ "Converge and BlastTV introduce Studio Universal for the first time in Southeast Asia". Manila Bulletin. September 18, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (January 17, 2024). "Paramount+ Adds Branded Hubs Via Distribution Partners In India And The Philippines; Content Licensing Deals Aim To Boost Cash Flow And Reach". Deadline. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
