| Kapamilya Channel | |
| Type: | Pay television network |
| Country: | Philippines |
| Network: | ABS-CBN |
| Headquarters: | ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, Diliman, Quezon City |
| Picture Format: | 1080i HDTV |
| Owner: | ABS-CBN Corporation |
| Replaced: | ABS-CBN (2nd iteration, post-martial law, 1986–2020, pay TV channel space) |
| Online Serv 1: | iWantTFC |
| Online Chan 1: | Watch live |
Kapamilya Channel is a 24-hour Philippine pay television network owned and operated by ABS-CBN Corporation, a subsidiary of the Lopez Holdings Corporation. The network's headquarters are located at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City. It serves as the flagship TV network of ABS-CBN Corporation.
Kapamilya Channel was launched as a replacement for the main terrestrial ABS-CBN network which ceased its free-to-air broadcast operations in May 2020, following the denial of the renewal of legislative broadcast franchise. The channel carries many of the network's programs from before and after its launch.[1]
Kapamilya Channel has been available through most cable providers who are members of Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA) (including ABS-CBN's Sky Cable, Converge ICT's Vision and Streamtech's Planet Cable) and through direct broadcast satellite television service providers Sky Direct (until June 30, 2020), G Sat, and since October 21, 2020, through Cignal and SatLite.[2] This allowed ABS-CBN Corporation to continue producing and distributing content while the outcome of their congressional franchise application was still pending at that time, since the National Telecommunications Commission's cease and desist order for the network only covers the company's free-to-air television and radio stations.[3] [4] [5] The network's franchise renewal was rejected by the House of Representatives on July 10, 2020, after a 70-11 vote.[6] The network streams live and makes most of its shows available on the streaming service iWantTFC.[7] On August 1, 2020, the network officially launched the Kapamilya Online Live service, which live-streams some of the content from Kapamilya Channel and Jeepney TV on Facebook and YouTube.[8] Although the network itself is available only in the Philippines, most of the local programs are available on ABS-CBN's international subscription service The Filipino Channel via cable, satellite, online and IPTV.
Similiar to ABS-CBN, Kapamilya Channel operates 24/7. During the Holy Week in the Philippines, the channel signs off from 12:00 m.n. to 6:00 a.m. every Maundy Thursday and Black Saturday.[5] The Three O'Clock Prayer (fil|Panalangin sa Ikatlo ng Hapon) is also shown during afternoon time slots.
See main article: List of Kapamilya Channel original programming. Kapamilya Channel features programs that have aired or were slated to air on ABS-CBN, whose productions were suspended due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon and the ensuing uncertainty following the cease and desist order on ABS-CBN.[9] These include the noontime variety shows It's Showtime[10] and ASAP; local drama series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, Love Thy Woman and A Soldier's Heart;[1] and morning talk show Magandang Buhay.[1] Two original public service programs, Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan? hosted by Judy Ann Santos, and Iba 'Yan hosted by Angel Locsin, were debuted on Kapamilya Channel.[9]
Contrary to earlier news reports,[1] ABS-CBN's primary news program, TV Patrol, as well as several news and current affairs programs, were not initially aired on the Kapamilya Channel until after July 24, 2020; until then, the program aired exclusively on TeleRadyo, ANC, and Cine Mo! and streamed through the ABS-CBN News' Facebook page and YouTube channel. The delayed telecast of ANC's The World Tonight also began to air at 10:00 p.m. on the following Monday, July 27, 2020, making the two longest-running Filipino and English language evening newscasts in the country airing on the same channel since 1999. The morning simulcast of TeleRadyo's programming (which was also aired on ABS-CBN as a provisionary morning program prior to the shutdown) on the schedule remained the same. An evening 30-minute News Patrol program was aired on the Kapamilya Channel until July 24, 2020.[5]
On August 17, 2020, Ang sa Iyo ay Akin was the first original drama series broadcast on Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the scenes were shot in the ABS-CBN Soundstage inside the Horizon IT Park in Bulacan.[11]
On October 10, 2020, ABS-CBN programs began broadcasting on A2Z Channel 11, a free-to-air television channel joint venture between ABS-CBN and ZOE Broadcasting Network under an airtime lease.
On October 21, 2020, Kapamilya Channel became available on Cignal cable, owned by MediaQuest Holdings, the owner of TV5, to increase the channel's views.[2] On January 24, 2021, selected Kapamilya Channel programs have started simulcasting on TV5, as part of ABS-CBN Corporation's agreement with TV5 Network Inc. and Cignal TV.
On March 18, 2021, ABS-CBN announced a partnership with WeTV and iflix to stream the ABS-CBN's primetime programs on the two aforementioned streaming platforms starting March 20, two days before its free-to-air television broadcast, with early access for subscribed users.[12]
In the following years, ABS-CBN has partnered up with several networks to air the programs broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. GMA Network Inc. collaborated with ABS-CBN Corporation for the simulcast of It's Showtime on GMA and GTV.[13] [14] Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) entered into an acquired agreement with ABS-CBN Corporation to broadcast the local ABS-CBN programs on All TV.[15] [16] [17] [18] The comedy gag show Goin' Bulilit has returned with a new cast and is also simulcast on All TV.[19] [20]
Online streaming on Kapamilya Channel's official website and Kapamilya Online Live, with the exception of iWantTFC, does not include acquired programming, movie blocks, and overnight programming, as the live-streaming is only focused on local programming due to copyright restrictions.
| Kapamilya Online Live | |
| Type: | Web-based channel |
| Location: | ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, Sgt. Esguerra Avenue corner Mother Ignacia Street, Diliman, Quezon City |
| Country Of Origin: | Philippines |
| Owner: | ABS-CBN Corporation |
| Parent: | ABS-CBN Digital Media |
| Advertising: | Yes |
| Registration: | Required |
| Current Status: | Active |
Kapamilya Online Live was launched on August 1, 2020 and is live-streaming on Facebook and YouTube. On Facebook, the shows are streamed in regular time slots, with some scheduled commentary breaks between. On YouTube, it streams throughout the day from 6:00 a.m. to midnight (except during TV special events) and streaming 24 hours a day and 7 days a week (since May 6, 2024). Live-streaming of shows on both platforms have been available exclusively in the Philippines since August 1, 2020; Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore since June 19, 2023; South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Macau, Vietnam, China and Indonesia since July 17, 2023; and Europe, Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Israel and other locations in Asia since September 25, 2023; and Canada since December 1, 2023. Kapamilya Online Live airs a variety of ABS-CBN's classic shows from Jeepney TV and other exclusive online shows.
On August 1, 2021, Kapamilya Online Live became accessible worldwide, streaming classic series on weekdays and Star Cinema movies and specials on weekends aired throughout the midnight programming. Kapamilya Online Live Global streams in the Middle East, Africa, Guam, Hawaii, Canada, United States, and several locations in South America. It streamed in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia from August 1, 2021 until June 19, 2023; until July 17, 2023 in South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Macau, Vietnam, China and Indonesia; and until September 24, 2023 in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and additional locations in Asia. It streamed daily from 12:00 m.n. to 8:00 a.m. in Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mongolia, China, Indonesia and Macau only.[21] On April 1-2, 2024, Kapamilya Online Live Global ceased streaming at 12 m.n. due to poor viewers and loss of advertisers' support, shifting its focus on worldwide availability of TFC. Kapamilya Online Live is available in the Philippines, Asia, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand.
See main article: List of Kapamilya Online Live original programming. On February 22, 2021, Kapamilya Online Live began offering a video on demand service of its shows accessible for fourteen (formerly seven) days after their original streaming date.[22] [23]