iWantTFC
 iWantTFC logo used since September 2020 | |
Screenshot  Screenshot of iWantTFC's website | |
| Type of business | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
Type of site | OTT platform PPV |
| Available in | English[a] |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Owner | ABS-CBN Corporation |
| Key people |
|
| Industry | Tech and Entertainment, Mass Media |
| Products |
|
| Services |
|
| Parent | ABS-CBN Digital Media |
| URL | iwanttfc |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional; subscription required if needed for no advertisements. |
| Users |  11.3 million (January 2019)[1] |
| Launched |
|
| Current status | Active |
iWantTFC (formerly known as iWant TV and iWant) is a Filipino over-the-top media service and production company owned and operated by ABS-CBN Digital Media, a division of ABS-CBN Corporation. It was formed in 2020 through the merger of two streaming services iWant and TFC Online. In addition to offering on-demand contents of ABS-CBN, iWantTFC also live streams linear channels including Kapamilya Channel, TeleRadyo Serbisyo, ANC and Knowledge Channel.
The service is available worldwide, primarily catering to Filipino audiences.[2] It is also the replacement for Sky On Demand of Sky Cable since September 1, 2020.
History
[edit]ABS-CBNnow! (2003–2010)
[edit]iWantTFC traced its origins and was first launched in 2003 as ABS-CBNnow!, a service primarily focusing to the OFWs where they can watch ABS-CBN local programs (such as MTB, The Buzz, and Magandang Gabi... Bayan) anywhere in the world using a PC with high-speed Internet or broadband connection.[3] Users can stream directly or download files and are required to install Windows Media Player in order to view contents which are DRM protected. It is one of the first Filipino owned OTT platform. In October 2005, there were approximately 23,000 subscribers worldwide. The biggest share of its subscribers comes from the United States with 8,000, another 6,000 in the United Kingdom, 4,000 in Canada, and the other Asian countries.[4]
iWant TV (2010–2018)
[edit]From its launch until 2015, iWant TV had foreign contents from many pan-regional television channels including National Geographic, the Food Network, E!, CNN, and Cartoon Network. These particular contents are now diverted into a new service called Sky On Demand, which is exclusive to Sky subscribers. In August 2015, iWant TV introduced the film Must Date the Playboy, the first movie that was released exclusively through iWant TV and ABS-CBN Mobile service.[5]
On September 26, 2016, a partnership with PLDT and its subsidiary Smart Communications was announced during a signing ceremony attended by Eugenio Lopez III (Chairman of ABS-CBN), Carlo L. Katigbak (President and CEO of ABS-CBN), Manny Pangilinan (Chairman of PLDT) and other executives of ABS-CBN, PLDT and Smart. The partnership would enable PLDT and Smart customers to access the iWant TV website and mobile apps.[6]
As iWant (2018–2020)
[edit]
On November 16, 2018, the service officially relaunched as iWant, which now emphasizes on adding original content similar to Netflix and Iflix.[7] It featured Spirits: Reawaken (a reboot of the original television series), Quezon's Game, and Alamat ng Ano.[8] Glorious and MA were the first two iWant original films.
As iWantTFC (2020–present)
[edit]On September 1, 2020, iWant merged with TFC Online and was soft launched as iWantTFC. The service inherited the worldwide accessibility of TFC Online.[9] TFC IPTV and TFC Direct via cable and satellite subscribers have instant online access to iWantTFC with TFC Everywhere (TVE) feature.[10] They also made iWantTFC's full library accessible for free for users in the Philippines.[11][12]
On April 26, 2023, ABS-CBN announced a collaboration with GMA Network to stream the latter's international channels and local programs on iWantTFC starting May 1 for users outside of the Philippines.[13][14]
Content
[edit]iWantTFC stores over 10,000 hours of content and programs, over 1,000 films and television series, and several live on-demand channels and video-on-demand. Most of its contents and films are produced by ABS-CBN Corporation's divisions including ABS-CBN Studios and ABS-CBN Films. In addition, there are over 20 original films and over 50 original series produced by iWantTFC.
The platform also provides live streams of several of ABS-CBN's broadcast properties, some operated by ABS-CBN's subsidiaries Creative Programs and ABS-CBN International. Kapamilya Channel, TeleRadyo Serbisyo (formerly known as DZMM TeleRadyo), and Knowledge Channel are exclusively available in the Philippines; while The Filipino Channel, ANC Global, TeleRadyo Serbisyo Global, Cinema One Global, Cine Mo! Global, MOR Entertainment and Myx America (North America only) are available outside of the Philippines.[citation needed]
Notes
[edit]- ^ The website interface is only in English. However, available media is mostly in Filipino with some content in English.
References
[edit]- ^ "ABS-CBN's iWant starts 2019 with 11.3 million subscribers". ABS-CBN News. January 17, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "ABS-CBN to launch new streaming service iWant". ABS-CBN News. October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 13, 2004). Watch, listen to ABS-CBN on the Web. p. 29. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "ABS-CBN expects hefty profits from Internet TV". Philstar.com. October 29, 2005. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Mendoza, Arvin (September 2, 2017). "IN PHOTOS: Kim Chiu, Xian Lim star in 'Must Date the Playboy'". Inquirer.net. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "ABS-CBN partners with PLDT to offer iWant TV". BusinessWorld Online. September 27, 2016. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "ABS-CBN's IWant goes live on mobile, desktop ahead of launch". ABS-CBN News. November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ "ABS-CBN to launch new streaming service iWant". ABS-CBN News. October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "iWant to merge with TFC Online". ABS-CBN News. August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ^ "Get the convenience of watching anytime, anywhere with TFC Everywhere!". iWantTFC. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ "iWant TFC libre na para sa lahat ng users sa Pilipinas". ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "iWantTFC, libre na ang advance teleserye episodes, originals, at 1,000 movies sa Pilipinas". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV on iWantTFC in select regions starting May 1". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "GMA to stream shows in ABS-CBN's iWantTFC". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
