ABS-CBN is a Philippine media and content distribution company, serving as the flagship media brand of ABS-CBN Corporation, a subsidiary of Lopez Holdings Corporation. Formerly the country's largest free-to-air television network, ABS-CBN has since evolved into a multi-platform content producer and distributor following the expiration and non-renewal of its broadcast franchise in 2020. The company currently syndicates its programming across various platforms, including partner networks, cable channels, streaming services, and digital platforms.
ABS-CBN had its origins in the 1950s. It was the first network in the region to broadcast in color and is historically among the oldest commercial television broadcasters in Asia. In 2007, ABS-CBN transitioned to high-definition (HD) broadcasting ahead of most Philippine networks, and by 2020, it had fully shifted to digital operations following the closure of its terrestrial broadcasts. ABS-CBN is colloquially referred to as the " Network", introduced in 1999 and officially launched in 2003 during its 50th anniversary, and one that remains widely used up to this day.
ABS-CBN is headquartered at the ELJ Communications Center in Quezon City, which houses its offices and production studios. The network is metonymically referred to as "Ignacia," a nod to its headquarters located along Mother Ignacia Street in Quezon City. The company also operates a state-of-the-art secondary production hub at the Horizon IT Park in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. This facility is used for the production of television programs and films. In February 2025, the company sold a portion of its Quezon City property, including the decommissioned Millennium Transmitter site (which was closed on July 9, 2025), to Ayala Land for mixed-use redevelopment and will take effect in December 2026. ABS-CBN retained ownership of the ELJ Communications Center, which remains its main headquarters, and plans to fully consolidate all of its operations within the complex by July 2026. On August 20, 2025, ABS-CBN and Ayala Land have signed the deeds of absolute sale for the purchase of the sold properties. On August 16, 2026, the gates of the Broadcast Center were closed.
Since 2020, ABS-CBN has remained active as a primary content provider managed by the company and its subsidiaries, which continue to hold its trademark and copyrights. The organization shifted its focus to content production and distribution for cable, digital, and international audiences. Its global presence is maintained through various direct-to-consumer services and international distribution. ABS-CBN also delivers content through broadcast partnerships with local networks, which now utilize its former frequencies and transmission facilities. By 2024, ABS-CBN had adopted a diversified revenue model centered on digital platforms, international licensing, and media partnerships, resulting in improved financial performance. In the first quarter of 2025, ABS-CBN generated in consolidated revenue but posted a net loss of ₱425.65 million, nearly halving its losses from the previous year as its content production and distribution business showed continued growth. The company has also set its sights on returning to profitability by 2026.
In June 2025, ABS-CBN officially announced it would no longer pursue a free-to-air terrestrial television broadcasting license through Congress in order to return to traditional broadcasting, citing the reallocation of their former frequencies to other networks, and will focus on producing media content and prioritize the company's presence online instead.
History
As a free-to-air television network (1953–1972; 1986–2020) Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC) was founded on June 13, 1946. It was established by James Lindenberg, an American electronics engineer considered to be one of the founding fathers of Philippine television. In 1949, Lindenberg shifted BEC to radio broadcasting with DZBC and planned the introduction of television to the Philippines in 1953.
In 1951, Lindenberg partnered with Antonio Quirino, brother of then-Philippine president Elpidio Quirino, to try television broadcasting. In 1952, BEC was renamed Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) with Alto Sales Corporation serving as its corporate name. Alto was a contraction of Quirino and his wife's first names, Tony and Aleli. Despite little resources, ABS was able to put up its transmission tower by July 1953 and imported around 300 television sets. The initial test broadcasts began in September of the same year. The first full broadcast was on October 23, 1953, at a party in Quirino's home. The first program to air was a garden party at the Quirino residence in Sitio Alto, San Juan. After the premiere telecast, the station followed a daily four-hour schedule from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.
The Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN) was founded on September 24, 1956, by Eugenio López Sr. and the former Philippine Vice President Fernando Lopez. The network initially focused only on radio broadcasting. On February 24, 1957, it acquired ABS from Quirino and Lindenberg, forming the current ABS-CBN. However, the name was not used until 1961 following the opening of its first regional station in Cebu.
The flagship television station of ABS-CBN was DWWX-TV (ABS-CBN TV-2 Manila). As such, the network was informally referred to as "Channel 2" or "" (Spanish for two) even if the network was seen in other channel numbers elsewhere in the country. The network operated across the Philippine archipelago through the ABS-CBN Regional division which controlled 80 television stations. Its programs are also available outside the Philippines through the global subscription television channel The Filipino Channel (TFC). From 2011 to 2020, the network had on test broadcast for digital terrestrial television using the Japanese standard ISDB-T in select areas in the Philippines. On October 3, 2015, ABS-CBN started to broadcast in high-definition quality through its affiliate direct-to-home cable and satellite television providers.
As of May 5, 2020, all terrestrial broadcast operations have halted completely as per a cease-and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission. All frequencies formerly assigned to ABS-CBN have since been reassigned to other networks, most notably All TV, which has since aired ABS-CBN content.
Shift to online and broadcast syndication (2020–present)
ABS-CBN restructured its operations starting 2020, prioritizing and focusing content creation, digital distribution, public relations, designing and creating idents and bumpers for airtime leasing networks, and global partnerships across cable, satellite and over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
On June 13, 2020, ABS-CBN launched the Kapamilya Channel, a 24-hour pay television network designed to continue the company's programming through alternative platforms. Serving as the flagship channel of the company, the channel was introduced with a high-definition feed, replacing the former ABS-CBN HD channel, which originally launched on October 3, 2015. It is available nationwide via major cable and satellite providers, including Streamtech's Planet Cable, Converge ICT's Vision and its sister company Sky Cable. Following its introduction, the company launched Kapamilya Online Live on August 1, 2020, as its flagship free livestreaming service on YouTube and Facebook. The platform features current programming, same-day broadcasts, and archived content, mirroring the shows aired on its cable counterpart with slight variations due to copyright restrictions. It marked the country's first full-day digital entertainment service by a major television network, offering continuous programming through social media livestreams. ABS-CBN merged its streaming services iWant and TFC Online in 2021 to launch the iWantTFC platform, integrating domestic and international content libraries into a single streaming service. The platform offers live channels, video-on-demand, and exclusive digital content. iWant relaunched on July 10, 2025, with enhanced features including support for 4K streaming, aiming to provide an improved viewing experience.
ABS-CBN expanded its domestic television presence through a series of blocktime agreements with multiple broadcast networks. Programming became available on A2Z Channel 11 through a partnership with ZOE Broadcasting Network, followed by a similar arrangement with TV5, which began airing select ABS-CBN shows and later included its primetime lineup. A separate content deal with Advanced Media Broadcasting System allowed ABS-CBN to air current and archived programs on All TV starting in April 2024. The company also launched collaborative projects with its historical rival GMA Network, featuring shared production and on-air crossovers. On May 29, 2025, Media Serbisyo Production Corporation, a joint venture with Prime Media Holdings officially relaunched the DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo brands, resuming 24-hour news and public service broadcasts on AM radio and television. Concurrently, ABS-CBN strengthened its digital distribution by partnering with international streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Viu, iQIYI, and WeTV iflix. On March 16, 2026, all TV networks of ABS-CBN (except A2Z), started using its 2013 logo over the current channel name as digital on-screen graphic, marking the return of its logo on its digital on-screen graphic after almost six years.
Branding The ABS-CBN logo features three main elements: the vertical line rooted in a horizontal origin, the three extending circles, and the text ABS-CBN, forming the spinning top and balloon shape. These also forms a transmitter broadcasting radio waves, with the three primary additive colors (red, green, and blue) representing the Philippines' three major island groups. The logo also has a horizontal version, with the ABS-CBN text split into two parts, "ABS" and "CBN". The logo uses a custom font designed by the interior designer Wili Fernandez called ABS-CBN Contemera. The logo design was first used in 1968 and has since been updated, with the current iteration introduced in 2013.
Multiple slogans were used by the company in its history, including "The Philippines’ largest network", "The Star Network", and "The Sarimanok". Its current slogan, "In the Service of the Filipino", was introduced in 1989, adding "Worldwide" in 1992 in reference to its global audience primarily composed of overseas Filipino workers. The company also uses its moniker "Kapamilya" (). Since 2002, the network also releases annual station IDs for summer starting around March and for Christmas around November, featuring upbeat theme songs headlined by its top-billed celebrities.
Operations
ABS-CBN Studios was created on January 5, 1962. It now serves as the core of the ABS-CBN brand, acting as the umbrella for all of the company's content production and distribution operations, including television, film, music, events, talent management, and production facilities. The studio comprises several divisions and works alongside various ABS-CBN subsidiaries, each specializing in areas such as cable channels, international distribution, and digital services. ABS-CBN Studios supplies programming to affiliated platforms owned by ABS-CBN Corporation and collaborates with a range of broadcasting partners across cable, streaming, and digital media. In 2021, the division was rebranded as ABS-CBN Entertainment, but later adopted its current name in 2024.
Television
ABS-CBN Studios produces a wide range of television content including TV series, variety shows, and game shows for ABS-CBN affiliated platforms. The division, also called the ABS-CBN Entertainment unit, has from its inception focused on the creation and production of television shows. Its production companies include Dreamscape Entertainment and Star Creatives Television.