In an unprecedented move that ushers a new era in Philippine entertainment, ABS-CBN has not only continued its glorious pivot to digital dominance but also forged a historic collaboration with its former rival, GMA Network.
After the non-renewal of its broadcast franchise in 2020, ABS-CBN has been on a transformative journey, shifting its focus to becoming a content powerhouse both in traditional television and in the digital space. The network’s head of digital, Jamie Lopez, highlighted the significant growth of ABS-CBN’s digital presence, which now serves audiences worldwide with a diverse range of content.
Similarly, ABS-CBN has made significant strides in expanding its presence on terrestrial television, through blocktime and similar forms of partnerships, producing top-rating shows, such as FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, Linlang, and Can’t Buy Me Love.
ABS-CBN’s digital pivot and efforts to reclaim free TV audience, have been met with enormous success, as evidenced by its streaming service, iWant, which boasts the largest library of Filipino content and has amassed over 11 million subscribers, and the return to the rating charts of some of its produced shows. On YouTube, Kapamilya Online Live, keeps Kapamilya viewers glued on their electronic gadgets to follow timeless stories, that the network continues to offer, serving the global audience with its current and previous top rating shows.
Additionally, ABS-CBN News Digital has seen remarkable engagement, with its news website generating 1.1 billion page views and attracting more than 220 million active users. On YouTube, the Network’s main entertainment channel, just crossed 47 million subscribers, the most for any Southeast Asian based media company.
The collaboration between ABS-CBN and GMA Network is a groundbreaking development in the industry. The two networks have co-produced a romantic-drama series titled “Unbreak My Heart,” which was filmed in Switzerland and aired on GMA this year. The series was made available for streaming in 15 territories outside of the Philippines on Viu.
Moreover, the noontime variety show “It’s Showtime” from ABS-CBN will begin airing on GMA’s main channel on April 6, marking a significant step in cross-network programming and cooperation. This partnership is a testament to the evolving landscape of media, where content creation and distribution are becoming more collaborative and innovative.
As ABS-CBN continues to expand its digital footprint, explores new avenues of content delivery, and expands further in free television, the alliance with GMA Network signals a promising future for the Philippine entertainment industry, one that is inclusive and forward-thinking. This synergy is not just a win for the networks but also for the audiences who stand to benefit from a richer and more diverse media experience.
Stay tuned as we witness the unfolding of this exciting new era of Philippine media, where digital supremacy meets collaborative creativity, and where once fierce rivals turn into devoted collaborators.
