ABS-CBN partners with PLDT & Smart for mobile entertainment content
In basketball, it was the pass that nobody saw but the receiver. In the entertainment business, it’s Manny Pangilinan shaking the hands of Gabby Lopez.
ABS-CBN has entered a partnership with PLDT and Smart Communications for distribution of its television content and movies.
“The strategic partnership between ABS-CBN and PLDT/Smart underscores our vision to make our content available online to more Filipinos,” said Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer.
The meeting of the giants will allow PLDT Home and Smart’s 70 million subscribers to use their prepaid load or postpaid account to binge-watch and catch up on their favorite shows, blockbuster films and other top-rated content on www.iwantv.com.ph on their computers or Smart TVs in their homes, or on the iWant TV app on their Smart-powered mobile phones and tablets.
Led by PLDT and Smart chair Manny V. Pangilinan and ABS-CBN chair Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, also at the groundbreaking partnership of PLDT Home, Smart and ABS-CBN for iWant TV are Ariel Fermin, EVP and head of Consumer Business for PLDT and Smart; Oscar “Renren” Reyes, FVP and head of Home Business for PLDT; Katrina Luna-Abelarde, FVP and head of Smart Wireless Consumer Division; Gary Dujali, VP and head of PLDT Home Marketing; Kathy Carag, VP and Head of Smart and Sun Master Brand; Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and CEO; Aldrin Cerrado, ABS-CBN CFO; Rolando Valdueza, ABS-CBN Group CFO; Cat Lopez, ABS-CBN head of finance for Broadcast; and Mellissa Limcaoco, ABS-CBN head of Digital Transformation.
“In a groundbreaking partnership, the country’s leading digital services providers PLDT Home and Smart Communications have teamed up with multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN for iWant TV, the streaming service of ABS-CBN for its TV shows, movies and exclusive digital content,” said a press release.
The statement added, “Using iWant TV, subscribers may stream the past and current ABS-CBN shows like On the Wings of Love, Dolce Amore, Ang Probinsiyano and Til I Met You, as well as News and Current Affairs shows, among many others — anytime and anywhere.” To activate iWant TV, users can register for an account via www.iwantv.com.ph or download the iWant TV app on their Android and iOS devices.