The channel was launched on June 12, 1994, when i-Channel merged with Classic 21 to form Sky 1, launching morning schedules containing public affairs, business, music and mostly Philippine movies. Later, public affairs and business programs were removed from Sky 1 programming and, from there, would form cable news channel Sarimanok News Network (now ABS-CBN News Channel); and Sky 1 was rebranded as the Pinoy Blockbuster Channel on June 29, 1998, with its programming now focused solely on locally-produced films. On May 20, 2001, Pinoy Blockbuster Channel was rebranded again as Cinema One, and added foreign movies to its schedule.
Cinema One logo, from 2009 to April 16, 2013
In 2005, Cinema One ventured into original movie production under its annual Cinema One Originals film festival which showcase and grants funding to independent film makers in the country. Among the films that has been produced by the channel were Confessional (2007), Huling Balyan ng Buhi, Rome & Juliet, Tambolista (2007), Mater Dolorosa (2012), Yanggaw, Sa North Diversion Road (2005), Imburnal (2008), Dose, Altar, Baybayin (2012), That Thing Called Tadhana (2014), Ang Babaeng Humayo, 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, and Baka Bukas.
In May 2004, as part of ABS-CBN's global marketing strategy, Cinema One was launched internationally focused towards the Philippine diaspora in North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
In July 2021, through a strong partnership between ABS-CBN and TV5/Cignal, Cinema One was added to Cignal's channel lineup with its sister channel Myx as free trial channels and later as "add-ons" for lower plans.[2]
Cinema One Premium HD
Cinema One Premium HD was a short-lived premium channel which showed local films in fullhigh-definition.
