The online streaming service of ABS-CBN Corp. has seen a dramatic surge in usage last week, after it made over 1,000 movies available for free for its users. Such an increase warranted the reduction of its bitrate to prevent network congestion.
The movie library of iWant, a mobile app that features Filipino content mainly produced by ABS-CBN, saw usage balloon by 300 percent last week, with its original content recording a 45-percent increase in the number of views.
With content consumption growing, as Filipinos find ways to pass time during community quarantines, iWant has decided to cut its streaming bitrate by 33 percent to help decongest telco networks.
“In support of the National Telecommunications Commission’s call to help ensure the stability of the internet services in the country, we will manage the amount of data traffic on our streaming service to reduce our load on internet resources starting March 27 until further notice,” the company said in a statement.
It noted that even as it reduced its streaming bitrate viewers can still “enjoy quality streaming service” with minimal impact.
Aside from movies, iWant also features television shows, documentaries, live events, and restored movie classics. The service is available for both Android and iOS.
ABS-CBN Corp. is primarily involved in content creation and production for television, online, and over-the-top platforms, cable, satellite, cinema, live events, and radio for domestic and international markets.
It also operates various platforms including domestic television, radio networks, worldwide OTT, and online platforms. It also has interests in cable, satellite, and broadband systems in the Philippines, as well as in music and music publishing.