Five years since the Philippine Congress denied ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal on May 5, 2020, the former broadcast giant has transformed itself into a fully digital, multi-platform content powerhouse — surviving and adapting in a drastically reshaped media landscape.
Once the country’s largest television network with over 70 stations nationwide, ABS-CBN was forced off free TV following a cease-and-desist order by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), ending decades of dominance in traditional broadcasting.
But instead of fading into obscurity, the network embarked on a dramatic pivot: from signal towers to streaming platforms, from network affiliate to content partner.
*From Broadcast Leader to Content Creator
– Since the shutdown, ABS-CBN has redefined its role — evolving from a broadcast network into a leading content provider for both local and global audiences.
It began forging strategic partnerships with other networks such as TV5, GMA Network, ALLTV and A2Z Channel 11 to continue airing its programs, proving that its content remained in high demand.
Its cable channel, Kapamilya Channel, and digital platforms like iWantTFC — now rebranded as simply iWant — became key battlegrounds for viewership.
Original teleseryes, reality shows, and movies continued production under Star Creatives, Dreamscape, and ABS-CBN Films, while It’s Showtime and ASAP Natin ‘To remained staple entertainment for million.
*Thriving in the Streaming Era
– With digital migration accelerating globally, ABS-CBN’s early embrace of streaming has paid off.
iWant, relaunched this year with a sleeker interface and expanded content library, now hosts a mix of legacy titles and new originals, competing with global players like Netflix and Viu.
It also streams select programs from partner studios including GMA, Regal, and VIVA — a move previously unimaginable.
Internationally, The Filipino Channel (TFC) remains a vital bridge to the global Filipino diaspora, ensuring that ABS-CBN continues to serve as a cultural lifeline abroad.
*Resilience Through Innovation
– Financially hit by the loss of its franchise, ABS-CBN downsized operations and sold off key properties, including parts of its Quezon City compound such as the iconic Millennium Transmitter.
But the network reinvested in content creation, digital technologies, and global distribution — now focusing more on storytelling, licensing, and co-production than ever before.
It also ramped up investments in music (Star Music), talent management (Star Magic), news and current affairs (through its online news portal), and film production.
Collaborations with international platforms like YouTube, Viu, and Amazon Prime have widened its reach beyond Philippine borders.
*Challenges and the Road Ahead
– The road has not been easy. With a leaner structure, smaller advertising revenue, and political tension still present, ABS-CBN has had to work twice as hard to maintain relevance.
Yet its ability to adapt, innovate, and retain audience loyalty is widely seen as a rare feat in Philippine media history.
Today, ABS-CBN stands not as a defeated media giant, but as a resilient content creator that continues to tell Filipino stories — on any screen, on any platform.
As ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak once said: “We may have lost our frequency, but not our voice.”