You can now watch your fave ABS-CBN primetime shows two days ahead on WeTV iflix

Everything seemed unthinkable before. Did you ever imagine watching advanced episodes of your favorite drama series two days ahead of what will be seen on free TV?

With the shift to digital platform of many businesses today, WeTV iflix Philippines is giving power to the viewer to choose their preferences.

“Everything is shifting into digital space now, even in the way you shop, with Lazada or Shopee, everything is online,” said Anna Driz, director of Advertising Sales and Brand Solutions of WeTV iflix Philippines.

“That is exactly why we’re here now. Even consumption of entertainment content, it’s through your digital platform like ours.”

WeTV iflix recently announced its landmark partnership with media giant ABS-CBN to bring “Primetime Bida” programs to more viewers two days ahead of regular airing on free TV. Coco Martin’s long-running action-drama series, FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano, leads the pack.

“ABS-CBN recognizes the strength of our platforms, WeTV and iflix,” Anna said. “It is because of that that they are giving us first crack on their programs, two days ahead or 50 hours before its free TV airing. Who would have thought this would happen?”

That kind of vision had been with Georgette Tengco, country manager of WeTV and iflix Philippines for three years now. “Maybe she was ahead of her time, but it’s all happening now,” Anna beamed. “Primetime now is not what it used to be.”

Anna remembers how she would rush home before to watch a particular teleserye when she was still working for ABS-CBN. “I had to watch Maging Sino Ka Man before,” she recalled. “I had to see John Lloyd [Cruz]. Now, I don’t know if it is just the pandemic or the shift to digital that caused this change.

“Primetime is very relevant these days. Hence, we have been working on expanding our already strong slate to bring in more local content and to be the first in the market. With all these realities happening, we have what’s in store for 2021

Starting March 20, Ang Probinsiyano and the inspirational series, Huwag Kang Mangamba, starring the Gold Squad—Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Kyle Echarri and Francine Diaz—will be streamed on WeTV iflix.

The supporting cast includes the comebacking Diether Ocampo, with Enchong Dee, Sylvia Sanchez and Eula Valdez.

The episodes will also be seen on WeTV iflix for free, three hours after airing on ABS-CBN.

The romance-drama, Init sa Magdamag, which topbills Gerald Anderson, Yam Concepcion, will start streaming on April 17.

“When we first approached ABS-CBN with this idea, iflix was a very small part of the company,” Anna explained. “Through the years, we have proven ourselves as worthy partners. Trust really played a big part in it.

“Through the deals we entered into with ABS-CBN, we slowly gained the confidence of the officers of ABS-CBN through the things we entered into with them. We do not cannibalize each other’s businesses. Digital compliments broadcast services

“When we’re running the content of ABS-CBN, like films and series, we saw the viewership base expand exponentially. A film or a series is watched for years and years on digital, as opposed to limited broadcast on television. I think this was the value that finally convinced ABS-CBN to do this partnership with us.”

The partnership between WeTV iflix and ABS-CBN will last for two years, according to Georgette. “But we can keep the episodes for four years,” she clarifies. “It’s actually the timeslot, rather than the titles, that we’re partnering about.”

Talking about the technology side of WeTV iflix, Georgette informs that they are in the process of merging the back-ends to give their subscribers exceptional functionalities. “We recently introduced flying comments that allow viewers to post while watching the shows,” she announced.

“To make sure that we meet the entertainment needs of our viewers. We want to make sure the Filipino audience gets the content that they want to watch when they want to watch it, at their convenience at the comfort and privacy of their own homes.”

Anna boasts that WeTV iflix managed seamless intrusions into the people’s homes even during this pandemic. “During the ECQ, when everything was in a standstill and nothing was happening, we shot Beauty and the Boss late last year,” offered Anna.

“Until now, we are still seeing the numbers of Beauty and the Boss soar. Maybe because we were able to give audiences what they need. We are able to reach a wider demographic. We have diverse audience. We are able to make it co-efficient for advertisers, for brands. When I say wider reach, we are able to target audiences through an efficient scale, measure and reach. When we talk about diverse audiences, we have a whole slew of content. So we are able to target the titos and titas of Manila, with the Gen Zs and the millennials as our core market. Having both wider reach and having our core audience, that gives you cost efficiency.”