ABS-CBN migrates to digital space

ABS-CBN Corp. is doubling down on digital content as it confronts a new era without a broadcast franchise.

The company announced on Friday the launch of Kapamilya Online Live, which made its debut on its widely followed social media presence on Facebook and YouTube.

Through Kapamilya Online Live, ABS-CBN will stream popular entertainment programs such as Ang Probinsyano, It’s Showtime and ASAP Natin ‘To.

It adds to the company’s other platforms such as the recently launched Kapamilya Channel, which is available on Skycable and other pay television outlets around the country.

“With Kapamilya Online Live, ABS-CBN is poised to make an impact on the media landscape again, similar to what it did in broadcasting,” ABS-CBN said in a statement on Friday.

ABS-CBN Entertainment has more than 50 million followers combined in Facebook and Youtube.

While there is no subscription fee, internet costs are not free and in some areas, more expensive.

Nevertheless, the new direction will help blunt the effects of the loss of its broadcast franchise—which allowed it to reach tens of millions of viewers and listeners around the country through free TV and radio broadcasts.

“By livestreaming our shows on our Facebook and YouTube accounts for free without any subscription fees, we hope to be able to reach more Filipinos and stay true to our promise to continue to serve Filipinos in whatever way we can,” ABS-CBN chief operating officer for broadcast Cory Vidanes said in the statement.

ABS-CBN was ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission to stop all TV and radio broadcasts last May 5, a day after its franchise expired and while bills for renewal languished in Congress for years.

The NTC last month further told the company to also stop its satellite TV service and digital TV operations, affecting millions of other viewers.

ABS-CBN relies on advertising on free-to-air TV for the bulk of its earnings. After lawmakers voted to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise, the company announced mass layoffs by Aug. 31 this year and the collapse of various divisions around the country.

Apart from entertainment, ABS-CBN News will continue to house news programs TV Patrol and The World Tonight on its Facebook page with 20 million followers and YouTube channel with over 9.8 million subscribers.