The streaming service is set to begin its month-long relaunch this week.
In an article on ABS-CBN News, iWant Head Jolly Estaris bared the plans for the roll-out of the Kapamilya streaming platform’s rebrand.
First on the table is the launching of the new smart TV app, which will debut on Thursday, June 12 with a user-friendly and visually-pleasing layout according to the lead.
“You can expect a brand new UI (user interface), mas visually malinis na siya, madaling i-navigate and we really listen to the feedback of the users in creating this new iWant,” said Estaris in the article.
The launch date for new smart TV application coincides with the release of the last of the three-part BINI docu-series, titled ‘Chapter 3: Hanggang Dulo,’ on the same day.
Speaking of which, the platform will also release new original programs soon, with ‘Love At First Spike’ and ‘Ghosting’ among the titles for the reborn iWant.
However, those who are looking to watch these shows, Estaris shared that the service will be putting them behind a paywall, requiring users to pay a minimal Php 35 monthly fee.
“[…]ang ating subscription ay P35 pa rin so walang price increase. P35 lang they will get all the iWant originals,” he said.
Despite that, iWant will continue to stream for free ABS-CBN’s flagship TV programs, such as ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ and ‘It’s Showtime,’ among others.
The ABS-CBN OTT service launched in 2010 as iWantTV, offering catch-up to not only programs by the network, but by other cable networks that were offered by Sky Cable as a bundle.
Eventually, as Sky On Demand launched in 2015, iWantTV gradually transitioned into a home for the full-episodes of current Kapamilya shows, as well as exclusive offerings accessible via an ABS-CBNmobile subscription.
In 2018, the ‘TV’ was shed and iWant was born, with first original serials offered being the likes of ‘Glorious‘ starring Angel Aquino and Tony Labrusca, which later saw the addition of ‘Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 3‘ with Eugene Domingo and ‘Call Me Tita‘ the following year.
However, after the ABS-CBN shutdown, iWant and the global TFC Online service were merged to form iWantTFC in August 2020.