ABS-CBN Corporation continues to navigate its post-franchise recovery with a leaner profile, reporting a narrowed net loss for 2025 as its shift toward content syndication and digital platforms begins to gain financial traction.
In a regulatory disclosure filed on Monday, the media company reported a ₱4.72 billion net loss for the full year 2025, a 23% improvement from the ₱6.09 billion deficit recorded in 2024.
While the bottom line remains in the red, the company successfully reduced its interest-bearing debts by 25% to ₱11.79 billion, outperforming its internal targets.
Revenue: Content Growth vs. Legacy Decline
Total consolidated revenues for the year stood at ₱15.85 billion, representing a 9% decline year-on-year.
This dip was primarily driven by the struggling cable and broadband segment (Sky Cable), which saw a 39% revenue drop to ₱3.27 billion as its subscriber base continued to contract.
However, the company’s “content factory” served as a critical buffer:
- Content Production & Distribution: Revenues rose 5% to ₱12.59 billion.
- Advertising Revenues: Increased by ₱421 million, fueled by a combination of election-related spending and high-performing primetime hits like Batang Quiapo and Incognito.
- Consumer Sales: Grew to ₱5.46 billion, bolstered by blockbuster film releases and the global expansion of live events.
Digital and Global Milestones
The 2025 results highlighted ABS-CBN’s successful pivot to a platform-agnostic strategy. The network’s digital business saw direct-to-consumer revenue hit an all-time high of ₱1.03 billion, while its YouTube entertainment channel maintained its leadership in Southeast Asia with 12 billion views.
The company also pointed to its revitalized streaming service and international reach as key drivers:
“iWant’s relaunch in July introduced a modernized interface and refreshed branding, enhancing the streaming experience across devices. This contributed to the subscriber base growth, both domestically and internationally,” the company noted in its annual report.
In the film and music sector, Star Cinema dominated the domestic box office with the year’s top three highest-grossing Filipino films, led by Call Me Mother (₱389 million).
Meanwhile, P-pop sensation BINI’s 14-city world tour across Asia, Europe, and North America significantly boosted live event earnings.
Strategic Outlook
Despite the absence of a broadcast franchise, ABS-CBN management emphasized that the company is “finding its groove” by leaning into strategic partnerships.
“Despite ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise not being renewed, the Company continued to explore and pursue strategic business relationships with local and foreign entities to ensure maximum exposure and monetization of its content assets,” the report stated.
By slashing total expenses by 18% to ₱20.48 billion and divesting from non-core assets, the company remains optimistic about its 18-month roadmap to return to profitability, banking on the continued strength of its digital and content distribution arms.