PLDT partners ABS-CBN to launch VoD

Philippine telecoms giant PLDT Inc. has entered into an agreement with local broadcast network ABS-CBN to distribute the latter’s iWant TV video-on-demand (VoD) service. Under the deal, subscribers to the telco’s PLDT Home services and Smart mobile users will be able to take iWant TV from November this year. iWant TV was first launched in 2007 and today is widely seen as a core source of local online content, accessed by six million paying subscribers and boasting 27 million monthly page views via its website, and 16 million accesses via the iOS and android iWant TV app. The over-the-top (OTT) service – which offers both on-demand and catch-up viewing of an extensive library of ABS-CBN programmes, local and foreign movies, and original content – is one of the fastest growing of ABS-CBN’s assets.