The channel is available through most cable providers who are members of the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA) (including ABS-CBN's Sky Cable) and through direct broadcast satellite television service providers Sky Direct (until June 30, 2020), G Sat, and since October 21, 2020, through Cignal and SatLite.[2] This allowed ABS-CBN Corporation to continue producing and distributing content while the outcome of their congressional franchise application was still pending at that time since the NTC's cease and desist order for the network only covers the company's free-to-air television and radio stations.[3][4][5] The network's franchise renewal was rejected by the House of Representatives on July 10, 2020, after a 70-11 vote.[6] The network also streams live and makes most of its shows available on the streaming service iWant (now iWantTFC).[7] On August 1, 2020, the network officially launched the Kapamilya Online Live, which live streams some of the content from Kapamilya Channel and Jeepney TV on the online video-sharing platforms Facebook and YouTube.[8] Although the network itself is available only in the Philippines, most of its local programs are available on ABS-CBN's international subscription service The Filipino Channel via cable, satellite, online and IPTV.
Contrary to earlier news reports,[1] ABS-CBN's primary news program, TV Patrol, as well as several news and current affairs programs, were not initially aired on the Kapamilya Channel (as it did through the free-to-air channel) until after July 24, 2020; the program did air exclusively on TeleRadyo, ANC, and Cine Mo! and streamed through the ABS-CBN News' Facebook page and YouTube channel until the said date. The delayed telecast of ANC's The World Tonight also began to air at 10:00 p.m. on the following Monday, July 27, 2020, making the two longest-running Filipino and English language evening newscasts in the country airing on the same channel once again since 1999. The morning simulcast of TeleRadyo's programming (which was also aired on ABS-CBN as a provisionary morning program prior to the shutdown) on the schedule remained the same. An evening 30-minute News Patrol program was aired on the Kapamilya Channel until July 24, 2020.[5]
On September 12, 2020, the network launched Just Love Kids, a children's programming block focusing on educational programs and animated series that have previously aired on ABS-CBN, Knowledge Channel and the now-defunct Yey! channel.[11] The children's show Team Yey! premiered its new fifth season for the first time on Kapamilya Channel.
On August 17, 2020, Ang sa Iyo ay Akin was the first original drama series broadcast on Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the scenes were shot in the ABS-CBN Soundstage inside the Horizon IT Park in Bulacan.[12]
On October 21, 2020, Kapamilya Channel became available on Cignal owned by MediaQuest Holdings, the owner of ABS-CBN's rival TV5, to expand more viewers of the said channel.[2] From January 24, 2021, selected Kapamilya Channel programming have also started simulcasting on TV5 as part of an agreement between the network, Cignal TV and ABS-CBN.
On March 18, 2021, ABS-CBN and WeTViflix announced a partnership to bring primetime programs, including FPJ's Ang Probinsyano to the two streaming platforms starting March 20, with early access for subscribed users. Episodes of ABS-CBN shows are made available on WeTV and iflix VIP two days before it airs on local TV.[13]
Online streaming on their channel's official website (until November 13, 2020) and Kapamilya Online Live (with the exception of iWantTFC) does not include contents such as acquired programming, movie blocks and overnight programming, as the live streaming itself only airs original programming due to copyright restrictions.
Facebook and YouTube
Kapamilya Online Live logo
Kapamilya Online Live is a web-based channel owned and operated by ABS-CBN Corporation that launched on August 1, 2020, and livestreams on Facebook and YouTube. On Facebook, the shows are streamed on regular timeslots with some scheduled commentary breaks between timeblocks. On YouTube, it streams throughout the day from 6:00 a.m. to midnight (except during TV special events). Livestreaming of shows on both platforms are available exclusively in the Philippines (also in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore since June 19, 2023, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Macau, Vietnam, China and Indonesia since July 17, 2023, also in rest of Europe, Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Israel and all over Asia since September 25, 2023 both Livestreaming and on-demand with all shows, soon available in Middle East and Africa.) and it airs a variety of ABS-CBN's old shows from Jeepney TV and other exclusive online shows. On July 26, 2023 some of replay programming streams during midnight hours. On December 1, 2023 now available in Canada for all shows on-demand only (soon available in United States for all shows on-demand only).
On August 1, 2021, Kapamilya Online Live became accessible worldwide and streams 24-hours with classic series (weekdays), Star Cinema movies and specials (weekends) aired throughout the midnight programming. Kapamilya Online Live Global is streaming 24/7 exclusively available in Middle East, Africa, Guam, Hawaii, Canada, United States and all over South America. It was previously streams in Northeast Asia & Southeast Asia from August 1, 2021 until June 19, 2023 for Japan, Hong Kong & Singapore, until July 17, 2023 for South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Macau, Vietnam, China and Indonesia, and until September 24, 2023 rest of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and all over Asia. It stream daily from 12:00 m.n. to 8:00 a.m. for exclusively in the Philippines only.[14]
On February 22, 2021, Kapamilya Online Live began offering a video on demand service of its shows accessible for fourteen (formerly 7) days after their original streaming date.[15][16]
