iWant

iWant, formerly known as iWant TV, is a Philippine over-the-top content platform and production company owned and operated by ABS-CBN. It gives its fans access to their favorite shows online, wherever they go at any time they want. Users can keep up with series, shows, movies, and have access to exclusive content. iWant also offers live video streamings of Kapamilya Channel, ANC, DZMM TeleRadyo, etc. and on-demand contents of ABS-CBN on any screen and device. With iWant's vast library of video on demand, ABS-CBN stays true to its commitment to provide quality entertainment to Filipinos, whenever and wherever they want it.[2]

iWant
Type of site
OTT platform
Available inFilipino, English
Predecessor(s)iWant TV (2010–2018)
Area servedPhilippines
Products
Services
  • Film production
  • Film distribution
  • Television production
ParentABS-CBN Corporation
URLiwant.ph
AdvertisingYes
CommercialYes
RegistrationRequired; subscription is needed for premium content.
Users13 million (July 2019)[1]
LaunchedJanuary 2010 (as iWantv)
November 2018 (November 2018) (as iWant)
Current statusActive

Users can access iWant through the website interface or through the iWant app available in iOS, Android and Windows. It is also available for casting thru Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay devices.

History

From its launch until 2015, iWant TV had foreign contents from many pan-regional television channels such as NatGeo, 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. On August 31, 2015, iWant TV, together with StarFlix (a division of Star Cinema) and Wattpad, released Must Date the Playboy, starring Kim Chiu, Xian Lim and directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, the first movie to be released exclusively through iWant TV and ABS-CBN Mobile service.[3]

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 Katigbak (President and CEO of ABS-CBN), Manny Pangilinan (Chairman of PLDT) and other ABS-CBN, PLDT and Smart executives. The partnership will enable PLDT and Smart customers to access the iWant TV website and mobile apps.[4]

In 2018, iWant TV began streaming Filipino-dubbed Japanese animé programs that aired on ABS-CBN's main channel, starting with the hit animé movie Your Name.[5]

On November 16, 2018, the service officially relaunched as iWant, which now emphasizes on adding original content similar to Netflix and Iflix,[6] featuring Spirits: Reawaken (a reboot version of the original 2004–2005 TV series), Quezon's Game, and Alamat ng Ano.[7] Glorious and MA were the first two iWant original movies. In May 2019, the service adds the 2005 version of the Japanese animé series Doraemon (which airs on Yey!, an exclusive channel of ABS-CBN TV Plus), becoming the second animé title to be streamed on iWant.[8]

A television special called iWant Originals premiered on ABS-CBN's Yes Weekend! Sunday evening block on August 11, 2019, replacing the 14-year-old comedy gag show Goin' Bulilit. Some scenes were edited for the TV version due to strict guidelines of the MTRCB. On August 18, Call Me Tita was the first original series to premiere simultaneously on both iWant and ABS-CBN. iWant Originals was cancelled on September 22, 2019 to give way for the Kapamilya Super Blockbusters movie block.

On March 16, 2020, iWant Originals returned on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida as part of the special TV programming due to the Enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. iWant Originals showcased some of their fresh, most-watched programs. In the list are; Julia Barretto's mystery-thriller I Am U, making it the lead miniseries, followed by Jodi Sta. Maria's My Single Lady and Joseph Marco's Uncoupling.[9]

Various iWant Originals series airs weekdays on The Filipino Channel, a global subscription television network owned and operated by ABS-CBN. Each series or part of a mini-series will be replaced by another iWant Originals series. Beginning with Past, Present, Perfect? which aired on May 4, 2020; followed by Taiwan That You Love on May 12; My Single Lady on May 20; Uncoupling om May 28; The End: Balikbayan on June 5; Spirits: Reawaken on June 8; The End: Accidental Friend on June 26; Bagman on June 29; Touchscreen:Wittyrella; Touchscreen:It's A Match; Bagman: New Season; The End: Third Wheel on July 30; Alamat ng Ano on August 3; HIGH on August 17, as part of the special TV programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the weekends, TNT Boys: Journey to the World Stage, a documentary series airing on June 6, 2020. Also, another documentary series Unlisted, airing on July 2020.

iWant also streamed Pantawid ng Pag-ibig: At Home Together Concert on March 22, 2020 together with ABS-CBN, S+A, ANC, Jeepney TV, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, DZMM Teleradyo, Metro Channel, Myx, Asianovela Channel, and TFC. The concert was aimed to help the people who were in need because of the community quarantine in Luzon and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Content
Main article: List of iWant original programming

In addition to original films and series, iWant also provides live streams of five of ABS-CBN's broadcast properties, namely the Kapamilya Channel, O Shopping, ANC, DZMM TeleRadyo, and ABS-CBN's evening news program TV Patrol,[10] as well as sports programs (such as the UAAP, the NCAA, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, the Premier Volleyball League, and ONE Championship), and reality programs (such as Pinoy Big Brother: Otso and Camp Star Hunt).

References
  1. "ABS-CBN's iWant starts 2019 with 11.3 million subscribers".
  2. "ABS-CBN to launch new streaming service iWant".
  3. Mendoza, Arvin (September 2, 2015). "IN PHOTOS: Kim Chiu, Xian Lim star in 'Must Date the Playboy'". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  4. "ABS-CBN partners with PLDT to offer iWant TV". BusinessWorld Online. September 27, 2016.
  5. "Japanese Anime feature hit 'Kimi No Na Wa' now on iWant TV". ABS-CBN Social Media Newsroom. May 3, 2018.
  6. News, ABS-CBN. "ABS-CBN's IWant goes live on mobile, desktop ahead of launch". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  7. "ABS-CBN to launch new streaming service iWant". ABS-CBNnews.com. October 4, 2018.
  8. "ABS-CBN adds Doraemon's 2005 television series to iWant streaming service". Anime Pilipinas. May 27, 2019.
  9. "READ: ABS-CBN statement on special primetime programming amid Metro Manila quarantine". ABS-CBN News. March 14, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  10. "May magbabalik. Abangan mamaya.#TVPatrolpic.twitter.com/EriD1tPdcd". @TVPatrol (in Tagalog). May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
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