IWant

Last updated

iWant
IWant logo 2025.svg
Logo used since July 9, 2025
Screenshot
IWant website screenshot.png
iWant's website on July 10, 2025
Formerly
  • ABS-CBNnow! (2003–2010)
  • iWant TV (2010–2018)
  • iWantTFC (2020–2025)
Type of business Subsidiary
Type of site
 OTT platform
PPV
Available inEnglish [a]
Founded2003;22 years ago (2003)
Area servedWorldwide
Owner ABS-CBN Corporation
Key people
IndustryTech and Entertainment, Mass Media
Products
Services
  • Film production
  • film distribution
  • television production
  • television distribution
Parent ABS-CBN Digital Media
URL web.iwanttfc.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional; subscription required if needed for no advertisements.
Users Increase2.svg 11.3 million (January 2019) [1]
Launched2003;22 years ago (2003)
Current statusActive

iWant (stylized in lowercase) 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. The service traces its roots to the launch of ABS-CBNnow! in 2003, one of the first Internet television and video on demand platforms in the Philippines that catered primarily to overseas Filipinos. In addition to offering on-demand content from ABS-CBN, iWant also livestreams linear channels including Kapamilya Channel, DZMM TeleRadyo, Jeepney TV, ANC (premium), Knowledge Channel, MOR Entertainment, and Myx.

Contents

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. On May 7, 2025, it was announced that the iWant branding would return, [3] reverting to its original name on July 9, 2025. [4]

History

International streaming service: TFC.tv (TFC Online)

Origins as ABS-CBNnow! (2003–2008)

ABS-CBNnow! was launched in 2003 as one of the first Filipino-owned over-the-top and video on demand platforms. It primarily catered to overseas Filipinos, allowing them to stream ABS-CBN television programs such as TV Patrol , Maalaala Mo Kaya , Wansapanataym , and The Buzz using a personal computer with a broadband Internet connection. [5] Users could stream or download DRM-protected content via Windows Media Player. By 2005, the platform had approximately 23,000 subscribers worldwide, with major markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. [6]

Rebranding to TFCnow! (2008–2011)

In the late 2000s, ABS-CBNnow! was rebranded as TFCnow! to align with The Filipino Channel (TFC)’s international brand identity. The platform expanded its reach globally, offering both on-demand and live streaming of ABS-CBN and TFC programming for overseas subscribers.

Launch of TFC.tv (2011–2020)

In 2011, TFCnow! was renamed TFC.tv, also known as TFC Online. It served as ABS-CBN’s primary international streaming platform, providing access to ABS-CBN’s global content library via desktop browsers, mobile apps, and smart TV devices. The service operated until its merger with iWant in 2020.

Domestic streaming service: iWant

Introduction of iWant TV (2010–2018)

Separately from its international counterpart, ABS-CBN launched iWant TV for domestic audiences in the Philippines. The platform offered free and subscription-based access to ABS-CBN programs, along with selected foreign channels such as National Geographic, FYI, History, Nickelodeon, E!, Food Network, Asian Food Channel, CNN, and Cartoon Network. In August 2015, iWant TV premiered its first digital-exclusive film, Must Date the Playboy , in partnership with ABS-CBN Mobile. [7] On September 26, 2016, ABS-CBN partnered with PLDT and Smart Communications to allow their customers to access iWant TV content through mobile and broadband subscriptions. [8]

Relaunch as iWant (2018–2020)

iWant logo used from November 2018 to August 2020 IWant.png
iWant logo used from November 2018 to August 2020

On November 16, 2018, ABS-CBN relaunched iWant TV as iWant, repositioning it as a digital-first streaming platform focused on original Filipino programming, similar to Netflix, Viu, Hooq, and iflix. [9] The relaunch introduced iWant Originals such as Spirits: Reawaken , Quezon’s Game , Alamat ng Ano, Glorious, and MA, marking ABS-CBN’s increased focus on exclusive digital content. [10]

Merger of platforms: iWantTFC (2020–2025)

Logo used from September 1, 2020 to July 8, 2025 IWantTFC Wordmark Logo 2020.svg
Logo used from September 1, 2020 to July 8, 2025

On September 1, 2020, ABS-CBN merged its domestic platform iWant with its international service TFC.tv to form iWantTFC. The merger unified ABS-CBN’s global and Philippine streaming operations, combining both on-demand and live content into one service. [11] Subscribers of TFC IPTV and TFC Direct via cable and satellite gained online access through the “TFC Everywhere” feature. [12] In June 2021, ABS-CBN made iWantTFC’s full library free for users in the Philippines. [13] [14] On April 26, 2023, ABS-CBN and GMA Network announced a partnership to stream GMA’s international channels and selected programs on iWantTFC for audiences outside the Philippines. [15] [16]

Relaunch as iWant (2025–present)

On May 7, 2025, ABS-CBN announced that iWantTFC would revert to the name iWant, featuring a redesigned interface, enhanced performance, and an expanded library of Filipino and international titles. [17] [18] Originally scheduled for launch in June 2025, the new version officially went live on July 9, 2025. [4]

Content

iWant 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 iWant.

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, DZMM TeleRadyo, Jeepney TV and Knowledge Channel are exclusively available in the Philippines; while The Filipino Channel, ANC Global, DZMM TeleRadyo Global, Cinema One Global, Cine Mo! Global, MOR Entertainment and Myx America (North America only) are available outside of the Philippines.[ citation needed ]

Notes

  1. ↑ The website interface is only in English. However, available media is mostly in Filipino with some content in English.

References

  1. ↑ "ABS-CBN's iWant starts 2019 with 11.3 million subscribers". ABS-CBN News. January 17, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  2. ↑ "ABS-CBN to launch new streaming service iWant". ABS-CBN News. October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  3. ↑ "iWant unveils sleeker, better streaming experience". SunStar Publishing Inc. June 30, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Asis, Salve V. (July 12, 2025). "iWant nag-rebrand, GMA shows andun na rin". The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  5. ↑ Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 13, 2007). Watch, listen to ABS-CBN on the Web. p. 29. Retrieved July 25, 2023– via Google Books.
  6. ↑ "ABS-CBN expects hefty profits from Internet TV". Philstar.com. October 29, 2005. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ Mendoza, Arvin (September 2, 2017). "IN PHOTOS: Kim Chiu, Xian Lim star in 'Must Date the Playboy'". Inquirer.net. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ "ABS-CBN's iWant goes live on mobile, desktop ahead of launch". ABS-CBN News. November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  10. ↑ "ABS-CBN to launch new streaming service iWant". ABS-CBN News. October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  11. ↑ "iWant to merge with TFC Online". ABS-CBN News. August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Get the convenience of watching anytime, anywhere with TFC Everywhere!". iWantTFC. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  13. ↑ "iWant TFC libre na para sa lahat ng users sa Pilipinas". ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ "iWantTFC, libre na ang advance teleserye episodes, originals, at 1,000 movies sa Pilipinas". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "GMA to stream shows in ABS-CBN's iWantTFC". The Philippine Star . Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  17. ↑ "ABS-CBN to relaunch streaming service iWant in June". Trendrod. May 7, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  18. ↑ "iWant unveils sleeker, better streaming experience". SunStar Publishing Inc. June 30, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
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