2021 in Philippine television
The following is a list of events affecting Philippine television in 2021. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and rebrandings, as well as information about controversies and carriage disputes.
Events
January
- January 1
- * After past six years of broadcasting in the Philippines, Disney XD has ceased its operations by Disney Branded Television across Southeast Asia due to a review of Disney's business direction and the upcoming launch of their own streaming service in the region.
- * Sky Cable terminated GINX Esports TV and Stingray Classica on its line-up due to the expiration of Sky's contract with the said networks. GINX Esports TV continued to air via Cignal and G Sat under the distribution by Mediahouse/Club TV and SES, while Stingray Classica continued to air via G Sat and selected nationwide cable operators.
- * Celestial Movies Pinoy celebrated its 5th anniversary of broadcasting on cable and satellite television.
- * TV Maria celebrated its 15th anniversary of broadcasting.
- January 2 – Cignal terminated eight Fox Networks Group channels: Channel V, Fox Crime, Fox Family Movies, Fox News Channel, Fox Sports 3, FX, Nat Geo People and Star Chinese Channel, on its line-up due to the expiration of Cignal's contract with the company. Meanwhile, ten Disney/Fox channels continued to air on their line-up until eight of them ceased operations nine months later.
- January 4
- * Cignal launched eleven channels on their line-up: Aniplus, Blue Ant Extreme, Jeepney TV, Knowledge Channel, K-Plus, Metro Channel, Nick Jr., Paramount Network, TAP Edge, TAP Sports and Telenovela Channel.
- * Cablelink terminated seven channels: Colours, Disney Junior, Fox Family Movies, K Movies Pinoy, Nat Geo Wild, One Sports+ and Sari-Sari Channel, on its line-up due to the expiration of Cablelink's contract and unpaid carriage fees with the said companies. In addition, Cablelink launched Tagalized Movie Channel on their line-up.
- January 15 – Sari-Sari Channel celebrated its 5th anniversary of broadcasting on cable and satellite television.
- January 21
- * CNN Philippines, One News, and both TAP Edge and TAP TV, as well as other international news channels aired the special coverage of the Inauguration of Joe Biden live from Washington, D.C.
- * ABS-CBN Corporation and PLDT's Beneficial Trust Fund, in collaboration with Brightlight Productions, announced a partnership agreement to air Sunday noontime variety show and afternoon movie block via TV5 that began on January 24.
- January 29 – VivaMax made its official launched after a month and 14 days of being in soft operations on December 15, 2020.
February
- February 1 – Comedy Central and MTV China have ceased its operations by ViacomCBS across Southeast Asia. In addition, Paramount Channel Asia rebranded as Paramount Network Asia.
- February 4 – MediaQuest Holdings, through Cignal TV announced a 3-year deal with the Premier Volleyball League to aired the games beginning with the 2021 [Premier Volleyball League season|4th season] One Sports, One Sports+, Cignal Play and Smart Gigafest. This is the second league organized by Sports Vision to broadcast on Cignal and One Sports. This also the third time that the volleyball league games broadcast on the company since 2005–2006 on ABC-5 and 2012–2013 on Hyper both as the Shakey's V-League, and marked the end of its stint with ABS-CBN Corporation following the non-renewal of its congressional franchise on July 10, 2020, and the dissolution of ABS-CBN Sports division to close its business operations on August 31, 2020.
- February 6 – JM Yosures of Taguig proclaimed as Tawag ng Tanghalan Year 4 Grand Champion on It's Showtime.
- February 7 – GMA Network launched "GMA Now", a digital TV dongle for Android smartphones.
- February 10 – G Sat terminated four Mediahouse/Club TV and SES channels: GINX Esports TV, Health & Wellness, Luxe & Life and Pet & Pal, as well as four other channels: Amazing Discoveries TV, Fight COVID-19, Sonlife Broadcasting Network and Stingray Classica on its line-up due to the revamping of the provider's channel space assignments. Meanwhile, two Mediahouse/Club TV and SES channels: Motorvision TV and My Cinema Europe, continued to air on their line-up. In addition, G Sat launched eight channels on their line-up: Da Vinci Kids, DreamWorks Channel, Myx, Paramount Network, TAP Edge, TAP Sports, TAP TV and Travel Channel, as well as two returned channels: Aniplus and K-Plus.
- February 12 – The Healing Eucharist celebrated its 15th anniversary on Philippine television.
- February 14 – My Only Radio rebranded to "MOR Entertainment", transitioned to a new media entity network from a broadcast terrestrial radio network via multiple digital platforms on Facebook, iWantTFC, Kumu, Spotify and YouTube.
- February 20
- * Sky Cable terminated Life TV on its line-up due to the expiration of Sky's contract with the network. Meanwhile, the network continued to air via BEAM TV until its closure on June 1, 2025.
- * Abby Trinidad was hailed as the MNL48's third-generation center girl in the girl group's third general election held on It's Showtime.
- February 21 – Farm to Table celebrated its 5th anniversary on Philippine television.
- February 22 – GMA News TV rebranded to GTV, a secondary channel for news, entertainment and sports content in lieu with their parent network. Prior to the rebranding announcement on February 9 by GMA Network, Inc., GMA News TV increased generalist content since September 2020 where news and public affairs content were decreased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. GTV's programming include the upcoming NCAA Philippines and GMA News TV's current and existing programming such as weekly public affairs series and newscasts–including Balitanghali, State of the Nation, GMA Regional TV Weekend News, GMA Regional TV Strip, Dobol B sa News TV, News TV Live and the simulcast of 24 Oras, along with movie blocks, Asianovelas and animated series. Following the rebranding of the domestic network to its current name, the News TV brand continued to use through its international version.
- February 28 – Dobol B TV, iJuander, News Live and State of the Nation celebrated its 10th anniversary on Philippine television.
March
- March 1 – Light TV celebrated its 10th anniversary of broadcasting.
- March 5 – Lopez Holdings Corporation and PLDT's Beneficial Trust Fund extended their partnership agreement for the airing of weeknight primetime shows produced and distributed from ABS-CBN Entertainment through TV5 that began on March 8.
- March 6 – Good News celebrated its 10th anniversary on Philippine television.
- March 8 – TV5 unveiled a new relaunched slogan entitled TV5 TodoMax and a revamped programming grid that divided into five blocks: TodoMax Kids, TodoMax Serbisyo, TodoMax Panalo, TodoMax Primetime and TodoMax Weekend.
- March 10 – The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League has resumed their play after almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and the Shutdown of [ABS-CBN broadcasting|ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy] to finish off the 2019–20 season in a bubble setup in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, with the games being aired on A2Z, iWantTFC and TFC.
- March 14 – Liofer Pinatacan of Zamboanga del Sur was hailed as the winner of Pinoy Big Brother: Connect.
- March 16 – CNN Philippines implemented a lay off program covering some of its employees due to COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.
- March 17
- * People's Television Network temporary stopped its broadcast and limited its programming through online to allow the disinfection of its studios in Quezon City. Their Twitter account posted a controversial tweet about the attacking of President Rodrigo Duterte with the hashtag #DutertePalpak and the mention of the South Korean boyband group BTS, causing the president pertained to the COVID-19 pandemic as a "small thing in our lives". The network later apologized and filed for an investigation against the mastermind behind the said tweet.
- * ABS-CBN Entertainment and WeTV iflix signed a multi-year partnership to air early access of ABS-CBN's primetime shows on the partners' two streaming services starting on March 20.
- March 22 – Four GMA News became the newest addition of newscasts to incorporate simultaneous sign language interpretation for the deaf and hard of hearing on its broadcast, as well as the online livestream on YouTube being converted to high definition.
- March 29–31 – In protocol response to the emerge wake on the threat surge of uprising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines and the restrictions caused by the second Enhanced Community Quarantine in Greater Manila Area due to the wave of virus mutations in different variants, It's Showtime and Eat Bulaga! cancelled the productions of their annual "Lenten Drama Specials" for the second year. The former aired replays since their second suspension was on March 18, while the latter replaced with the filmed pre-produced episodes before the start of the second lockdown.
- March 31 - TV Maria has switched its airing of aspect ratio format quality on the channel feed and its programming to high-definition as being converted its mitigation of reception through digital signal reception through free TV and other cable and satellite providers after 15 years and 3 months on the usage of broadcast video picture resolution that migrated from standard-definition.
April
- April 1–3
- * GTV revived its Holy Week special programming every Easter Triduum, after 10 years since GMA News TV never used this practice in 2011.
- * Solar Entertainment Corporation announced a 3-day break on four digital free-to-air and pay TV channels: ETC, Front Row Channel, Solar Learning and Solar Sports, in observance of Holy Week. Meanwhile, Shop TV continued to air on pay TV platforms.
- * The English-language ABS-CBN News Channel along with simultaneous telecast of TeleRadyo aired a special Holy Week programming as prior to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines since last year.
- * The Healing Eucharist aired its special liturgical masses during the Paschal Triduum for this year. The Holy Week Masses was filmed on the ABS-CBN Chapel, instead from the normal studio used in the past years, and it was broadcast simultaneously for three days on cable TV via Kapamilya Channel, online via Kapamilya Online Live and iWantTFC, and on free-to-air via A2Z. Meanwhile, Jeepney TV continued to carry on a delay basis.
- April 2
- * SVD-Mission Communications Foundation's "Seven Last Words" returned for pre-recorded this year, after the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and the ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy, and it was broadcast simultaneously on cable TV via Kapamilya Channel, online via Kapamilya Online Live and iWantTFC, and on free-to-air via A2Z. Meanwhile, Jeepney TV continued to air on a delay basis.
- * The Dominican Fathers of the Philippines' "Siete Palabras" was pre-recorded again for the second year filmed at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City and other locations affiliated with the Dominican Fathers throughout Luzon due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, and it was broadcast on television via GMA Network for the 13th year and on radio via Radyo Veritas in Metro Manila as well as other Catholic Media Network affiliated stations nationwide.
- April 3
- * APT Entertainment cancelled the productions of their annual "Black Saturday Lenten Drama Special" for the second year due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, which was supposed to air on GMA Network. In lieu of the special, the network replaced by the marathon of First Yaya.
- * Jesuit Communications Foundation Holy Week Specials returned for productions after a year of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, with "Fiesta: Ang Makulay na Pananampalatayang Pilipino" as this year's theme. It also marks the first JESCOM Holy Week special to broadcast on GMA Network, ending its 15-year stint with ABS-CBN Corporation following the non-renewal of its congressional franchise on July 10, 2020, and the first JESCOM special to be aired on the said network after 5 years since "Mabuhay Lolo Kiko" in 2015.
- April 5
- * GMA Network launched its brand new movie channel on digital terrestrial television, I Heart Movies.
- * Cignal launched five channels on their line-up: CinemaWorld, Fight Sports, GEM, TechStorm and WakuWaku Japan.
- April 9–11 – GTV became the official broadcaster of the 191st General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on national free-to-air and cable TV via satellite delay from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, making the second time the channel aired the conference.
- April 12 – Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation temporarily suspended their network produced programs as prior to its limited broadcasting hours which only airs DepEd TV every Monday to Saturday at 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and several programs produced by blocktimers on Sunday at 7:00 am to 10:00 am due to limited programming redundancies and the "quarantine safety protocol issues". Their regular programming schedule line-up and broadcasting hours resumed its Sunday schedule on April 25, the Weekday schedule on May 3, and the Saturday schedule on May 8.
- April 18 – Magandang Buhay celebrated its 5th anniversary on Philippine television.
- April 28 – Newsline Philippines, an independent regional news outlet and media organization bureau service based in Davao under Altheni Advertisement and Consultants founded in 2016, expanded into a television channel as it broadcast via selected key areas in the Philippines.
- April 29 – GMA Network and IQiyi sealed a multi-year deal to air GMA's entertainment programs on the latter's streaming service.
May
- May 1
- * The ABS-CBN News Channel celebrated its 25th anniversary of broadcasting on cable and satellite television.
- * After one year and nine months of broadcasting, K Movies Pinoy has ceased its operations by Viva Entertainment due to permanent discontinuation of its telecast by the content provider. Meanwhile, all Filipino-dubbed Korean movies continued to air on its sister channel, Tagalized Movie Channel and on the streaming service, VivaMax.
- * Sky Cable terminated Fight Sports on its line-up due to the expiration of Sky's contract with the network. Meanwhile, the network continued to air via Cignal and G Sat.
- * Jacob Plaza was hailed as the first Ultimate Kantrabahador Grand Champion on Lunch Out Loud's Kantrabaho.
- May 3 – After two years of broadcasting, One Media Network was rebranded as Golden Nation Network.
- May 8 – Jehramae Trangia of Cebu was hailed as the winner of the second season of Born to Be a Star.
- May 15 - Maalaala Mo Kaya celebrated its 30th anniversary on Philippine television.
- May 20 – TV5 unveiled a new slogan, station ID or theme jingle entitled Iba sa 5 and a remodify-colored of the current 2019 logo.
- May 24 – SMNI News Channel celebrated its 5th anniversary of broadcasting.
- May 28 – Jessie Pascua of Bulacan was hailed as Versus 1st Grand Champion on It's Showtime.
- May 30 – Singer Klarisse de Guzman was proclaimed the grand winner of the third season of Your Face Sounds Familiar.
June
- June 1 – Sky Cable terminated Miao Mi on its line-up due to the expiration of Sky's contract with the network. In addition, Fight Sports returned its broadcast after a month-long termination also due to the provider's expired contract.
- June 5 – G Sat terminated Aniplus and K-Plus on its line-up due to the revamping of the provider's channel space assignments. Meanwhile, both networks continued to air via Cignal, Sky Cable and Cablelink. In addition, G Sat launched Arirang TV and KBS World on their line-up.
- June 6 – Vianna Ricafranca of Albay was emerged as the winner of Centerstage.
- June 13 – ABS-CBN Corporation celebrated its 75th anniversary of corporate formation since its foundation in 1946.
- June 19 – Dean Gales was hailed as the Dance-Off Champion on Lunch Out Loud's Dance Entertainment.
- June 20 – Sky Cable launched Loveworld Asia on their line-up.
- June 28 – TeleRadyo has switched its airing of aspect ratio format quality on the channel feed and its programming to high-definition as being converted its mitigation of reception through Sky Cable and other cable providers, iWantTFC, TFC IPTV, and other digital platforms after 14 years and two months on the usage of broadcast video picture resolution that migrated from standard-definition.
- June 30 – Selected ABS-CBN contents from local programming titles such as originals, movies and series, acquired international distributions, and live channels on iWantTFC and WeTV offered free access with an optional monthly premium subscription of binge-watch to users.
July
- July 1
- * GMA Network's third international channel GMA News TV International will celebrate its 10th anniversary on global television.
- * TV5's international channels Kapatid Channel and AksyonTV International will celebrate its 10th anniversary on global television.
- * After past nine years of broadcasting in the Philippines, Red by HBO has ceased its operations by Home Box Office, Inc. across Asia due to lack of advertisements, as well as change in business direction. In addition, HBO Go also removed Asian films from the service, as would focus on Hollywood movies and series.
- * Cablelink launched CGTN Documentary on their line-up.
- * Cignal and SatLite launched two channels on their line-up: Cinema One and Myx.
- July 3 – The Wednesday Group was hailed as the Group Dance Champions on Lunch Out Loud's Dance Entertainment.
- July 8 – Dateline Philippines celebrated its 25th anniversary on Philippine television.
- July 10 – Captivating Kitkat was hailed as the LOL Drag Queen Supreme on Lunch Out Loud's Drag Queendom.
- July 11 – TV5's International channels, Kapatid Channel and AksyonTV International celebrated its 10th anniversary on global television.
- July 16 – UNTV celebrated its 20th anniversary of broadcasting.
- July 18 – PBA Rush celebrated its 5th anniversary of broadcasting on cable and satellite television.
- July 23 – August 8 – The 2020 Summer Olympics was held in Tokyo, Japan after a year of announced postponement on March 24, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. On June 11, MediaQuest Holdings and their sister companies PLDT–Smart Communications awarded the local rights to the annual games as part of a deal with the Philippine Olympic Committee which aired on TV5, One Sports, One Sports+, Cignal Play and Smart Gigafest. It also marked both the fifth overall consecutive games of TV5/Cignal and the third consecutive summer games of MediaQuest, ever-record for a Philippine broadcasting company. Although the International Olympic Committee stated to be held as schedule, postponement of the Summer Olympics to the following year was made in March 2020 with its new opening and closing ceremony date range were announced on March 30, 2020.
- July 28 – Converge ICT, in partnership with Pacific Kabelnet, formally launched its internet protocol television service, Vision.
August
- August 1 –
- * After nine years and sixteen days, Viva TV reverted to Viva Cinema, after the former transitioned to Viva Entertainment's television production arm unit while the latter returned its broadcast operations as the third incarnation channel featuring archived movies and concerts.
- * Cignal TV launched three GMA Digital TV channels nationwide are Heart of Asia Channel 38, I Heart Movies Channel 46 and Hallypop Channel 152.
- August 2 – Cignal TV, in partnership with APT Entertainment, formally launched its first local comedian channel on Philippine television, Buhay Komedya (BuKo) Channel.
- August 23 – TeleRadyo temporarily suspended the productions of its programming and replaced by the ABS-CBN News Channel–simulcast programs due to the safety precautions of COVID-19 protocols. Later, the channel's regular programming were resumed the following day.
- August 24 – September 5 – The 2020 Summer Paralympics was held in Tokyo, Japan after a year of announced postponement on March 24, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation awarded the local rights to the annual games which aired on TAP Sports and TAP Go.
September
- September 1
- * Sky Cable terminated tvN on its line-up due to the expiration of Sky's contract with the network. Meanwhile, the network continued to air via Cignal and other cable and satellite providers.
- * Rock Entertainment Holdings rebranded two pay TV channels previously owned by Blue Ant Media: Blue Ant Entertainment to Rock Entertainment and Blue Ant Extreme to Rock Extreme.
- September 1–30 – Cignal launched nine channels on their line-up by respective date: Lotus Macau and Tagalized Movie Channel on September 1; TAP TV on September 5; UAAP Varsity Channel on September 8; DreamWorks Channel on September 11; Premier Sports, TAP Action Flix and TAP Movies on September 20; and Moonbug Kids on September 30.
- September 8 – Cignal TV, in partnership with University Athletic Association of the Philippines, formally launched its collegiate sports channel on Philippine television, UAAP Varsity Channel.
- September 10 – TV5 Network, Inc. formally launched its digital terrestrial television brand, Sulit TV.
- September 13 – DepEd-NCR Prime was launched as a supplementary digital educational channel catered for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students owned by Solar Entertainment Corporation in partnership with the Department of Education.
- September 16 – ABS-CBN Corporation and Globe Telecom's Group Retirement Fund signed a partnership deal to broadcast an ABS-CBN owned educational channel via BEAM TV in nationwide areas beginning on October 5.
- September 18
- * Reiven Umali of Cavite was hailed as Tawag ng Tanghalan Year 5 Grand Champion on It's Showtime.
- * Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide and Philippine Collective Media Corporation entered a partnership agreement for affiliation to broadcast A2Z by airing its programming including from ABS-CBN Entertainment and network-produced programs via Channel 12 in selected parts of Eastern Visayas.
October
- October 1
- * All pay television operators and providers in the Philippines have added or terminated a number of various channels and networks on their respective listing line-ups.
- * Cablelink terminated Baby TV, Fox News and National Geographic Asia on its line-up due to the expiration of Cablelink's contract with the said networks. Baby TV continued to air via Sky Cable until its closure on October 1, 2023; Fox News continued to air via G Sat and Sky Cable; and National Geographic Asia continued to air via Cignal, G Sat and Sky Cable until its closure on October 1, 2023. In addition, Cablelink launched 21 channels on their line-up: Asian Food Network, Chillayo, Cinemachi Action, Cinemachi Docu, Cinemachi Family, Cinemachi Xtra, Discovery Asia, Eurosport, Health & Wellness, HGTV, Homey's, Lolly Kids, Luxe & Life, Motorvision TV, Pet & Pal, Planet Fun, Rock Extreme, Sportyfy, Travelxp, Wow! and ZooMoo.
- * Cignal terminated Shop TV on its line-up due to the expiration of Cignal's contract with the network. Meanwhile, the network continued to air via the digital subchannel of Channel 21 in Metro Manila, Sky Cable and other cable providers until its closure on December 25, 2025.
- * Fourteen Disney/Fox/Star linear channels in the Philippines along with four other channels have ceased its operations by The Walt Disney Company in most of Asia across Hong Kong, mainland China, South Korea and Southeast Asia due to the company's shifted focus on its direct-to-consumer business model of online streaming service upon the launch in favor of both Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar in the region on November 17, 2022. Meanwhile, four remaining owned channels along with four non-owned channels continued to air in the countries of pan-Asia, until five of them ceased operations on October 1, 2023.
- * After 12 years of broadcasting, Global Pinoy Cinema has ceased its operations by Global Satellite Technology Services due to permanent discontinuation of its broadcast operations and repetitive airing of local film libraries, as well as lack of programming redundancies.
- * G Sat launched eight channels on their line-up: beIN Sports 1, beIN Sports 2, HBO Family, HBO Hits, HBO Signature, MyZen TV, Tagalized Movie Channel and TechStorm.
- * TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation launched a TAP Sports' secondary sports channel; Premier Sports; as well as two movie channels; TAP Action Flix and TAP Movies.
- October 5 – Knowledge Channel resumed its free-to-air broadcast through BEAM TV's digital subchannel after almost a year of halt broadcast due to the lapsed of its broadcast franchise in 2020.
- October 11 – ABS-CBN Corporation and IQiyi announced a partnership to produce locally-exclusive Filipino originals on its owned streaming service, where the multi-title content deal for global audience made official on November 23.
- October 13 – Discovery+, a streaming service owned by Discovery, Inc. through its partner Globe Telecom, was launched and became available in the Philippines.
- October 18
- * Sky Cable launched five channels on their line-up: Premier Sports, SPOTV, SPOTV2, TAP Action Flix and TAP Movies.
- * Eclat Media Group launched two TV channels in the Philippines: SPOTV and SPOTV2.
- October 24 – Mata ng Agila celebrated its 10th anniversary on Philippine television.
- October 29 – GMA Network celebrated its 60th anniversary of broadcasting as a television network.
November
- November 6 – Yey! resumed its broadcast as a programming block via Jeepney TV and Kapamilya Channel after almost a year of halt broadcast due to the shutdown of ABS-CBN broadcasting in 2020.
- November 7 – Versus and Yara, both of Manila, were hailed as POPinoy Grand P-Pop Stars.
- November 15 – Sky Cable launched DreamWorks Channel on their line-up.
- November 18 – Knowledge Channel celebrated its 25th anniversary of broadcasting.
- November 20 – Julianne Torres, the Reinanay from Muntinlupa, was hailed as "Ang Pinakanatatanging Ina" on It's Showtime's "ReINA ng Tahanan".
- November 21 – The World Tonight celebrated its 55th anniversary of the longest-running English-language newscast on Philippine television.
- November 27
- * Sky Cable launched DepEd-NCR Prime on their line-up.
- * Team Karylle, Amy and Kim was hailed as the twelfth anniversary grand champion on It's Showtime.
- November 29 – Streaming media Viu celebrated its 5th anniversary in the Philippines.
December
- December 2 – The Government of the Philippines and TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation announced a deal with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League to aired the invitational tournament games from December 11 to 23 via free-to-air network Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, the cable and satellite channel TAP Sports, and online livestreaming via TAP Go and the Facebook pages of MPBL and Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas. This is the first time that TAP DMV air a local programming and the return of basketball games to broadcast on IBC and marked the end of its 3-year stint with ABS-CBN Corporation following the non-renewal of its congressional franchise on July 10, 2020, and the dissolution of ABS-CBN Sports division to close its business operations on August 31, 2020.
- December 6 – G Sat terminated Fight Sports on its line-up due to unknown reason. Meanwhile, the network continued to air via Cignal and Sky Cable. In addition, G Sat launched Premier Sports on its line-up.
- December 19 – Mariane Osabel of Lanao del Norte won the fourth season of The Clash.
Unknown dates
- February – Blackbox Studios launched its Filipino-owned independent streaming service, RAD.
- November – Highland TV was launched as a regional TV channel based in Baguio by Regional News Group and Tirad Pass Network where it broadcast via the digital subchannel of Global Satellite Technology Services.
Debuts
Major networks
A2Z
The following are programs that debuted on A2Z:Re-runs
Notes^ Originally aired on ABS-CBN
^ Originally aired on GMA
^ Originally aired on Yey!
^ Originally aired on Jeepney TV
^ Originally aired on Hero
^ Originally aired on Q
^ Originally aired on Knowledge Channel
^ Originally aired on NBN
^ Originally aired on Kapamilya Channel
GMA
The following are programs that debuted on GMA Network:Re-runs
Notes^ Originally aired on GMA News TV
^ Originally aired on Q
^ Originally aired on GTV
^ Originally aired on IBC
^ Originally aired on ABC
TV5
The following are programs that debuted on TV5:Re-runs
Notes^ Originally aired on ABS-CBN
^ Originally aired on GMA
^ Originally aired on Yey!
^ Originally aired on RPN
^ Originally aired on CNN Philippines
State-owned networks
PTV
The following are programs that debuted on People's Television Network:- June 12: Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo
- December 3: ''Sundown''
IBC
- March 7: Lakbay Pinas
- May 8: Oras ng Kings
- October 25: IBC Headliners
- November 14: ''Minning Town''
Minor networks
Other channels
The following are programs that debuted on other channels:Unknown dates
- February: Ang Inyong Armed Forces, Ang Inyong Kawal, News Express, News in 3, Up Up Pilipinas and WEmen on tvQ2
- March–April: #KKO, Balik Loob sa Pagbabago, Brakefast and The Tito Potato Show on tvQ2
- October: One Balita Pilipinas on One News
Unknown
- Building Bridges on CNN Philippines
- Adbokasiya, The Better News and TNVS: Trending 'N Viral Show on DZRH TV
Re-runs
- Notes
- ^ Originally aired on ABS-CBN
- ^ Originally aired on GMA
- ^ Originally aired on TV5
- ^ Originally aired on Cine Mo!
- ^ Originally aired on Yey!
- ^ Originally aired on S+A
- ^ Originally aired on GMA News TV
- ^ Originally aired on Jeepney TV
- ^ Originally aired on Sari-Sari Channel
- ^ Originally aired on Hero
- ^ Originally aired on ETC
- ^ Originally aired on Jack TV
- ^ Originally aired on 2nd Avenue
- ^ Originally aired on CT
- ^ Originally aired on Studio 23
- ^ Originally aired on Q
- ^ Originally aired on RPN
- ^ Originally aired on Fox Filipino
- ^ Originally aired on Kapamilya Channel
- ^ Originally aired on Metro Channel
- ^ Originally aired on Asianovela Channel
- ^ Originally aired on PTV
- ^ Originally aired on Knowledge Channel
- ^ Originally aired on CNN Philippines
- ^ Originally aired on A2Z
- ^ Originally aired on GTV
- ^ Originally aired on IBC
- ^ Originally aired on ABC
- ^ Originally aired on TeleAsia Filipino
Video streaming services
Unknown dates
- January: Alpha News on Alpha News Philippines
- January: Balitaktakan, Bicol.PH, Luzon Headlines and Talk Time on RNG
Returning or renamed programs
Major networks
State-owned networks
Minor networks
Other channels
Video streaming services
Programs transferring networks
Major networks
State-owned networks
Other channels
Video streaming services
Milestone episodes
The following shows that made their milestone episodes in 2021:| Show | Network | Episode # | Episode title | Episode air date |
| Ang sa Iyo ay Akin | A2Z / Jeepney TV / Kapamilya Channel | 100th | "Bagong Kaguluhan" | January 1 |
| Chika, Besh! | TV5 | 100th | "Maui Taylor" | January 7 |
| Prima Donnas | GMA | 200th | "Mayi, I am Your Father" | January 7 |
| Mars Pa More | GMA | 300th | "300th Episode" | January 15 |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya | A2Z / Kapamilya Channel | 1,300th | "Tattoo" | January 16 |
| FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | A2Z / Cine Mo! / Kapamilya Channel | 1,300th | "Panaghoy" | January 28 |
| Walang Hanggang Paalam | A2Z / Jeepney TV / Kapamilya Channel | 100th | "Hulihin" | February 12 |
| Bagong Umaga | A2Z / Kapamilya Channel | 100th | "The Plan" | March 12 |
| Fill in the Bank | TV5 | 100th | "Maynard vs. Benjie" | March 24 |
| Daddy's Gurl | GMA | 100th | "Barakbakan 2" | May 15 |
| FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | A2Z / Cine Mo! / Kapamilya Channel / TV5 | 1,400th | "Lusob" | June 21 |
| Unang Hirit | GMA | 6,000th | "6,000th Episode" | August 6 |
| Huwag Kang Mangamba | A2Z / Kapamilya Channel / TV5 | 100th | "Suhol" | August 10 |
| Init sa Magdamag | A2Z / Jeepney TV / Kapamilya Channel / TV5 | 100th | "Closer To Truth" | September 3 |
| Niña Niño | TV5 | 100th | "Regrets" | September 20 |
| iBilib | GMA | 500th | "500th Episode" | October 17 |
| FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | A2Z / Cine Mo! / Kapamilya Channel / TV5 | 1,500th | "Labanan" | November 8 |
| La Vida Lena | A2Z / Jeepney TV / Kapamilya Channel / TV5 | 100th | "Damay" | November 12 |
Finales
Major networks
A2Z
The following are programs that ended on A2Z:Stopped airing
GMA
The following are programs that ended on GMA Network:Stopped airing
TV5
The following are programs that ended on TV5:Stopped airing
Cancelled
- January 8: ''Chika, Besh!''
State-owned networks
PTV
The following are programs that ended on People's Television Network:- August 31: Oras ng Himala
- September 24: ''Counterpoint with Secretary Salvador Panelo''
Stopped airing
IBC
The following are programs that ended on IBC:- July 31: Oras ng Kings
- November 19: ''IBC Headliners''
Stopped airing
Minor networks
- February 12: Eagle News International Filipino Edition on Net 25
- May 28: Eat's Singing Time on Net 25
- May 29: Ikaw ay Akin on Net 25
- August 9: Agila Pilipinas on Net 25
- August 13: Eagle News America on Net 25
- August 27: Pambansang Almusal on Net 25
- October 8: Piskante ng Bayan on Net 25
- October 15: Happy Time on Net 25
- November 26: Agila Probinsiya on Net 25
Stopped airing
Other channels
Unknown dates
- August: #KKO, Ang Inyong Armed Forces, Ang Inyong Kawal, Balik Loob sa Pagbabago, Brakefast, News Express, News in 3, The Tito Potato Show, Up Up Pilipinas and WEmen on tvQ2
Unknown
- Balitang America and Trending with Kelly on ANC
- G Diaries on TeleRadyo
Stopped airing
Cancelled
- January 8: Chika, Besh! on Colours
- April 14: Chinatown News TV on ANC
Video streaming services
Networks
The following are a list of free-to-air and cable channels or networks launches and closures in 2021.Launches
Rebranded
The following is a list of television stations or cable channels that have made or will make noteworthy network rebrands in 2021.| Date | Rebranded from | Rebranded to | Type | Channel | Source |
| February 1 | Paramount Channel | Paramount Network | Cable and satellite | Cignal Channel 52 G Sat Channel 78 | |
| February 22 | GMA News TV | GTV | Broadcasting network | Channel 27 / Channel 15 Cignal Channel 11 G Sat Channel 6 GMA Affordabox Channel 2 SatLite Channel 11 Sky Cable Channel 24 / Channel 12 Destiny Cable Channel 24 Cablelink Channel 13 Converge Vision Channel 11 | |
| May 3 | One Media Network | Golden Nation Network | Broadcasting channel | Selected terrestrial stations G Sat Channel 1 | |
| June | Community TV3 | PEP TV | Cable and satellite | Air Cable Channel 3 / Channel 209 | |
| July 1 | DZRH News Television | DZRH TV | Broadcasting channel | Selected terrestrial stations Cignal Channel 18 G Sat Channel 39 SatLite Channel 140 Sky Cable Channel 129 Cablelink Channel 3 Converge Vision Channel 14 | |
| August 1 | Viva TV | Viva Cinema | Broadcasting channel | Cignal Channel 42 SatLite Channel 32 Cablelink Channel 51 Converge Vision Channel 43 | |
| September 1 | Blue Ant Entertainment | Rock Entertainment | Cable and satellite | Cignal Channel 120 G Sat Channel 19 Sky Cable Channel 53 / Channel 196 & Channel 616 / Channel 739 Cablelink Channel 37 | |
| September 1 | Blue Ant Extreme | Rock Extreme | Cable and satellite | Cignal Channel 122 G Sat Channel 31 Sky Cable Channel 104 / Channel 209 & Channel 223 / Channel 768 Cablelink Channel 36 | |
| September 1 | Travel Channel | Trvl Channel | Cable and satellite | Cignal Channel 64 G Sat Channel 67 Sky Cable Channel 82 / Channel 201 & Channel 611 / Channel 727 |
Closures
Stopped broadcasting
The following is a list of stations and channels or networks that have stopped broadcasting or off the air in 2021.| Station | Type | Channel | Last broadcasting | Resumed broadcasting | Reason | Source |
| Health & Wellness | Cable and satellite | G Sat Channel 34 Cablelink Channel 60 | February 10 | October 1 | Broadcast termination due to the provider's revamped channel space assignments. | |
| Luxe & Life | Cable and satellite | G Sat Channel 33 Cablelink Channel 330 | February 10 | October 1 | Broadcast termination due to the provider's revamped channel space assignments. | |
| Pet & Pal | Cable and satellite | G Sat Channel 32 Cablelink Channel 331 | February 10 | October 1 | Broadcast termination due to the provider's revamped channel space assignments. | |
| PTV | Broadcasting network | Channel 4 / Channel 42 Cignal Channel 4 G Sat Channel 4 SatLite Channel 4 Sky Cable / Destiny Cable Channel 6 Cablelink Channel 9 | March 17 | March 18 March 22 | Temporary suspension of broadcasting due to the disinfection of the building where the network is being housed as a precaution against COVID-19, but the operations continue through online. |
Cancelled
The following is a list of television stations or cable channels that have the network cancellation in 2021.| Original date | Station | Type | Channel | Reason | Source |
| Unknown | One Life | Intended to be another MediaQuest channel launched under the "One" branding. In November 2021, a lifestyle portal of the same name was terminated due to changes in business direction, resulting to the channel's planned launching cancellation. |
- Notes
- : via Sky Cable since November 15
- : via Sky Cable since November 27
- : via G Sat since December 6
- : via Sky Cable since October 18
- : via G Sat since February 10
- : via Cablelink since October 1
- : On January 1, Sky Cable terminated the network due to the expiration of its contract
- : On January 4, Cablelink terminated the network due to the expiration of its contract and unpaid carriage fee
- : On January 2, Cignal terminated the network due to the expiration of its contract
Services
Launches
Rebranded
The following is a list of streaming providers that have made or will make noteworthy service rebrands in 2021.| Date | Rebranded from | Rebranded to | Type | Stream | Source |
| June | Myx Philippines | Myx Global | Multicasting | Facebook YouTube | |
| September 10 | Smart GigaFest | Smart GigaPlay | VOD OTT streaming media platform | Website |
Closures
Deaths
;February- February 11 – Eli Soriano,, televangelist and host of Ang Dating Daan.
- February 19 – Vincent Arboleda,, UNTV News reporter.
- April 9 – Totoy Talastas,, radio and television broadcaster.
- April 22 – Edwin Sevidal,, DZMM field reporter.
- April 23 – Victor Wood,, singer and host of Beautiful Sunday.
- May 1 – Le Chazz,, comedian and TV host.
- May 4 – Ricky Lo,, veteran entertainment columnist and TV host.
- May 23 – Ely Aligora,, former radio announcer, newscaster, reporter and TV Host of ABS-CBN and DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, former station manager of DWIZ 882 Manila and Executive Vice President of Aliw Broadcasting Corporation.
- June 23 – Shalala,, comedian, radio and television personality.
- June 26 – Ken Bornilla, news reporter.
- July 14 – Hans Mortel,, comedian and TV host.
- July 26 – Ate Shawie,, impersonator, comedian and television personality.
- July 30 – Manuel Morato,, former MTRCB chairman, PCSO board of director and host of Dial-M.
- July 31 – Arlene de Castro,, former vice president for current affairs of ABS-CBN News and CEO of Bayan Productions.
- August 4 – Kitchie Benedicto,, veteran producer and director.
- August 17 – Jun del Rosario,, veteran journalist.
- August 31 – Mahal,, comedienne.
- October 2 – Leo Obligar,, radio and television personality.
- November 21 – Bert de Leon,, television director.
- December 20 – Arlyn dela Cruz,, broadcast journalist and filmmaker.