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IWant
Philippine over-the-top content platform From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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]
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History
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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)
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)
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]
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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]
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Notes
- The website interface is only in English. However, available media is mostly in Filipino with some content in English.
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External links
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