ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN is a Philippine media and content distribution company. It serves as the flagship media brand of ABS-CBN Corporation, a subsidiary of Lopez Holdings Corporation. Formerly the Philippines' largest free-to-air television network, ABS-CBN has since evolved into a multi-platform content producer and distributor following the expiration and non-renewal of its broadcast franchise in 2020. The company currently syndicates its programming across various platforms, including partner networks, cable channels, streaming services, and digital platforms.
ABS-CBN is the oldest television broadcaster in Southeast Asia, with origins dating back to the early 1950s. It was the first network in the region to broadcast in color and is historically among the oldest commercial television broadcasters in Asia. In 2015, ABS-CBN transitioned to high-definition broadcasting ahead of most Philippine networks, and by 2020, after it stopped broadcasting on free-to-air television following a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission, it had fully shifted to digital operations. ABS-CBN is colloquially referred to as the "Kapamilya Network," a branding introduced in 1999 and officially launched in 2003 during its 50th anniversary, and one that remains widely used up to this day. The red, green, and blue heart emojis in any order are used to represent the network online even before the shutdown of its free-to-air TV operations.
ABS-CBN is headquartered at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City, with its main operations based in the ELJ Communications Center, which houses its corporate offices and production studios. The network is metonymically referred to as "Ignacia," a nod to its headquarters located along Mother Ignacia Street in Quezon City. The company also operates a state-of-the-art secondary production hub at the Horizon IT Park in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. This facility is used for the production of television programs and films.
In February 2025, the company sold a portion of its Quezon City property, including the decommissioned Millennium Transmitter site, to Ayala Land for mixed-use redevelopment and will take effect in December 2026. ABS-CBN retained ownership of the ELJ Communications Center, which remains its main headquarters, and plans to fully consolidate all corporate, production, and studio operations within the complex by July 2026. On August 20, 2025, ABS-CBN and Ayala Land have signed the deeds of absolute sale for the purchase of the sold properties.
Since 2020, ABS-CBN has remained active as a primary content provider managed by the company and its subsidiaries, which continue to hold its trademark and copyrights. The organization shifted its focus to content production and distribution for cable, digital, and international audiences. Its global presence is maintained through various direct-to-consumer services and international distribution. ABS-CBN also delivers content through broadcast partnerships with local networks, which now utilize its former frequencies and transmission facilities. By 2024, ABS-CBN had adopted a diversified revenue model centered on digital platforms, international licensing, and media partnerships, resulting in improved financial performance. In the first quarter of 2025, ABS-CBN generated ₱4.23 billion in consolidated revenue but posted a net loss of ₱425.65 million, nearly halving its losses from the previous year as its content production and distribution business showed continued growth. The company has also set its sights on returning to profitability by 2026.
In June 2025, ABS-CBN officially announced it would no longer pursue a congressional franchise to return to traditional broadcasting. Instead, ABS-CBN will focus on producing compelling content, forming strategic partnerships with local and international broadcasters, and expanding its global reach. CEO Carlo L. Katigbak emphasized the company's shift toward becoming a global storyteller, preparing for a future where television is no longer the center of Philippine entertainment, and content must compete in a borderless, digital-first environment.
History
As a free-to-air television channel (1953–1972; 1986–2020)
Bolinao Electronics Corporation was founded on June 13, 1946. It was established by James Lindenberg, one of the founding fathers of Philippine television and an American electronics engineer who went into radio equipment assembly and radio broadcasting. In 1949, James Lindenberg shifted Bolinao to radio broadcasting with DZBC and planned the introduction of television to the Philippines in 1953.In 1951, Lindenberg partnered with Antonio Quirino, brother of then-Philippine president Elpidio Quirino, to try television broadcasting. In 1952, BEC was renamed Alto Broadcasting System or ABS. Alto was a contraction of Quirino and his wife's first names, Tony and Aleli. Despite little money and resources, ABS was able to put up its TV tower by July 1953 and imported around 300 television sets. The initial test broadcasts began in September of the same year. The first full-blown broadcast was on October 23, 1953, at a party in Quirino's home. The first program to air was a garden party at the Quirino residence in Sitio Alto, San Juan. After the premiere telecast, the station followed a daily four-hour schedule from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.
ABS-CBN's first television broadcast was on October 23, 1953, as Alto Broadcasting System on DZAQ-TV, three months after the first broadcast of Japan's NHK General TV and Nippon Television. It is the first television network in Southeast Asia to broadcast in color, the first television network in the Philippines to formally launch a digital terrestrial television service, and the first broadcast television network in the Philippines to formally launch in HD.
The flagship television station of ABS-CBN was DWWX-TV. As such, the network was informally referred to as "Channel 2" or "dos" even if the network was seen in other channel numbers elsewhere in the country. The network operated across the Philippine archipelago through the ABS-CBN Regional division which controlled 80 television stations. Its programs are also available outside the Philippines through the global subscription television channel The Filipino Channel. From 2011 to 2020, the network had on test broadcast for digital terrestrial television using the Japanese standard ISDB-T in select areas in the Philippines. On October 3, 2015, ABS-CBN started to broadcast in high-definition quality through its affiliate direct-to-home cable and satellite television providers.
As of May 5, 2020, all terrestrial broadcast operations have halted completely as per a cease-and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission. All frequencies formerly assigned to ABS-CBN have since been reassigned to other networks.
As a content producer, distributor, design agency, and online streaming (2020–present)
ABS-CBN restructured its operations starting 2020, prioritizing and focusing content creation, digital distribution, designing and creating idents and bumpers for airtime leasing networks, and global partnerships across cable, satellite, and over-the-top platforms. These operations are managed by ABS-CBN and its divisions such as Creative Communications Management all under their parent company, ABS-CBN Corporation.On June 13, 2020, ABS-CBN launched the Kapamilya Channel, a 24-hour pay television network designed to continue the company's programming through alternative platforms. Serving as the flagship channel of the company, the channel was introduced with a high-definition feed, replacing the former ABS-CBN HD channel, which originally launched on October 3, 2015. It is available nationwide via major cable and satellite providers, including Streamtech's Planet Cable, Converge ICT's Vision and its sister company Sky Cable.
Following the introduction of its cable channel, the company launched Kapamilya Online Live on August 1, 2020, as its flagship free livestreaming service on YouTube and Facebook. The platform features current programming, same-day broadcasts, and archived content, mirroring the shows aired on its cable counterpart with slight variations due to copyright restrictions. It marked the country's first full-day digital entertainment service by a major television network, offering continuous programming through social media livestreams.
ABS-CBN merged its streaming services iWant and TFC Online in 2021 to launch the upgraded iWantTFC platform, integrating domestic and international content libraries into a single streaming service. The platform offers live channels, video-on-demand, and exclusive digital content. iWant relaunch on July 10, 2025, with enhanced features including support for 4K streaming, aiming to provide a sleeker and improved viewing experience.
ABS-CBN expanded its domestic television presence through a series of blocktime agreements with multiple broadcast networks. Programming became available on A2Z Channel 11 through a partnership with ZOE Broadcasting Network, followed by a similar arrangement with TV5, which began airing select ABS-CBN shows and later included its primetime lineup. A separate content deal with Advanced Media Broadcasting System allowed ABS-CBN to air current and archived programs on All TV starting in April 2024. The company also launched collaborative projects with GMA Network, featuring shared production and on-air crossovers, marking a notable shift in the historically competitive landscape of Philippine television. On May 29, 2025, at 8:00 PM, Media Serbisyo Production Corporation a joint venture with Prime Media Holdings officially relaunched the DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo brands, resuming 24-hour news and public service broadcasts on AM radio and television. Concurrently, ABS-CBN strengthened its digital distribution by partnering with international streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Viu, iQIYI, and WeTV iflix.