ABS-CBN doubles down on online presence

ABS-CBN’s failure to renew its broadcast franchise may have stopped it from showing its programs on free TV but it didn’t stop the embattled network from airing its programs online, doubling down on its online presence via Facebook and YouTube.

Called Kapamilya Online Live, the network started streaming its programs live on the ABS-CBN Facebook and YouTube pages on Aug. 1 and can be accessed for free (although it will need a stable internet connection for it to work as intended).

Earlier, on June 13, the network launched the Kapamilya Channel, a pay TV channel featuring the network’s shows on its subsidiary cable network, Sky Cable (ch. 8 digital and ch.167 HD).

The live stream will include a selection of current and classic shows. On YouTube, shows will stream from 7:40 a.m. to 10 p.m. while Facebook users can watch shows on their regular time slots “with scheduled breaks between time blocks,” according to a press release. Shows on both platforms will only be available in the Philippines — overseas viewers can watch the shows via The Filipino Channel.

“Kapamilya Online Live is the newest home of ABS-CBN’s well-loved shows that Filipinos miss watching on TV. Our bond with our Kapamilya is unbreakable, and we will continue finding ways to be with them and provide entertainment to Filipinos despite the non-renewal of our broadcast franchise,” said Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer of broadcast, in the release.

The weekday slate includes Magandang Buhay, Magpahanggang Wakas, and MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya) in its morning block, and It’s Showtime, Love Thy Woman, and The General’s Daughter in the afternoon block. Kapamilya Online Live will be streaming older FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano episodes for its first three weeks before new episodes will be released in the fourth week.

Other primetime shows are 100 Days to Heaven, Forevermore, Los Bastardos, and A Soldier’s Heart.

On Saturdays, the morning lineup will feature Halik and It’s Showtime followed by Wansapanataym Presents and I Feel U in the afternoon, and Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan and It’s Showtime sa Primetime in the evening.

Sunday programming, meanwhile, will include Pangako Sa ‘Yo, ASAP Natin ‘To, and Ipaglaban Mo in the morning and Iba ‘Yan and Be Careful With My Heart in the evening.

The ABS-CBN news shows TV Patrol and The World Tonight can be viewed on the ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Aside from ABS-CBN’s regular shows, its streaming service iWant is also currently streaming the Imelda Marcos documentary The Kingmaker by Lauren Greenfield among other shows and films from ABS-CBN Film Restoration and Star Cinema.

Kapamilya Online Live is available on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel () and Facebook page (). For the complete programming schedule, visit. — Zsarlene B. Chua