For quite some time, a number of the most popular shows and programming on ABS-CBN and its affiliate channels have been available for watching online whether as live streams or on-demand content via the media giant’s very own over-the-top content platform. Launched back in 2010, in the advent of the then-new new mass media streaming trend, iWant TV became a favorite mobile app for fans of ABS-CBN programming, and the added content from foreign providers (later transferred to Sky). Lately the service was in final preparations for its re-launch as iWant streaming this Saturday, but they surprised their fans and general streaming audiences by starting its operations earlier than expected.
ABS-CBN News has it that the new iWant streaming service stole a march on its actual launch date this weekend on November 17, by opening its content library to subscribers one day earlier, this Friday on November 16. As before, iWant will carry ABS-CBN shows and teleseryes in live-stream or on-demand format, along with films both contemporary and restored classics. But in addition, it will also launch with all-new original programming, both series and feature films, making its full transition into a very Filipino and very Kapamilya version of Netflix.
No less than six original programs are highly anticipated by regulars of iWant in its new form. These content run the gamut from movies to anthologies and even a talk show. One of the hottest iWant originals that viewers want to watch is the film romantic drama “Glorious” starring Tony Labrusca and Angel Aquino, about a steamy relationship between a young guy and an older woman. Also generating much hype is a streaming remake of old Kapamilya teleserye “Spirits” by Chito Roño, to be directed by Topel Lee and entitled “Spirits: Awaken”, starring Grae Fernandez, Kira Balinger, Jairus Aquino, Bugoy Cariño, Patrick Quiroz, and Chantal Videla as supernaturally empowered teens protecting their town from a creeping dark presence from space.
More originals are expected to come on iWant: “Alamat ng Ano” is humorous anthology of crazy retellings of the origins of things, starring Jobert Austria and Melai Cantiveros among other comedy stars. Next is the horror film “Ma” with Kyle Espiritu and Glydel Mercado. For documentary connoisseurs there is “Laureen on a Budget” with fashion and travel vlogger Laureen Uy, showing how to maintain style and go places without straining the wallet. Lastly, “IKR” will be a showbiz talk show hosted by MJ Felipe of “TV Patrol” with fellow entertainment insiders Darla Sauler and DJ Jhai Ho of MOR 101.9.
And this is merely the beginning according to ABS-CBN Digital Media head Elaine Uy-Casipit. “We have a lot more in the pipeline,” she said in an interview earlier this week. iWant certainly will not be lacking a fan-base, namely the 2.5 million weekly viewers it is inheriting from iWant TV.
Image courtesy of ABS-CBN Entertainment
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