Gone are the days when you’d sit down in front of the TV and watch something you don’t even like just because it’s the only good show on.
Streaming services can now provide you with what you want to watch when you want. For a fee, of course.
Which streaming service should you get, and what exactly do they offer? We’ve listed the most popular streaming services in the Philippines to help you make your choice.
Streaming services at a glance
| Streaming Service | Key Features | Monthly Fee |
| Netflix |
|
149 PHP to 549 PHP |
| HBO Go |
|
|
| Apple TV+ |
|
249 PHP |
| Amazon Prime Video |
|
5.99 USD (approximately 305 PHP) |
| Viu |
|
|
| Crunchyroll |
|
7.99 USD (approximately 405 PHP) |
| iWant |
|
120 PHP |
| iFlix |
|
129 PHP |
| HOOQ |
|
149 PHP |
Netflix
Netflix has over 167 million subscribers worldwide. It has been offering streaming services since 2007, but it was only launched in the Philippines in 2016.
You can sign up for a free 30-day trial. Watch movies and TV shows from Hollywood and all over the world.
Their Netflix Originals alone are reason enough to get a subscription.
If you don’t have a strong internet connection or don’t want to use up data, there’s an option to download shows for offline viewing.
You can also watch in HD or Ultra HD, depending on your plan.
Netflix Philippines have recently added a mobile plan for just 149 PHP a month. It’s currently the most affordable plan, but it only allows streaming from a smartphone or a tablet.
If you have family members who will be using your Netflix account, you can also opt for the Standard or Premium plans.
Create profiles for them so that you can get personalized recommendations based on your viewing activity.
Unfortunately, Netflix content varies by location. You may not find a show or movie that your friend from Riyadh or Los Angeles just watched. Still, you’re sure to find something else to watch because of its super vast library.
HBO Go
HBO Go allows HBO subscribers to stream video on demand. You need to have an active plan with Sky Cable or Destiny Cable to be able to use HBO Go.
If you’re a Sky Cable subscriber, you can create an account by tapping on the Sky logo and keying in your Sky account number to link it to your HBO Go account.
There’s a 7-day free trial, so download the official HBO Go app on your Apple or Android device.
If you like the experience, you can pay the subscription fee of 149 PHP via iTunes or Google Play.
Start streaming your favorite movies and HBO shows or download them for offline watching. Now’s your time to re-watch Game of Thrones, Sex and the City, True Blood, The Sopranos, and many more.
You can also access your HBO Go account from a web browser by keying in www.hbogoasia.com.
Apple TV+
You can download Apple TV+ on your Apple device. But you can also have it on streaming platforms, smart TVs, AirPlay-enabled services, and tv.apple.com.
There’s a 7-day free trial period, and then it will be 249 PHP per month subsequently.
You can cancel anytime before the trial period ends or before your subscription renews.
Watch exclusive Apple TV+ original shows and download them for offline viewing.
You can buy or rent movies as well, but pricing varies. There are movies you can buy for 599 PHP or rent for 149 PHP.
Apple TV+ is fairly new. It was launched in November 2019, so they are still building their library.
But there are quite a few good shows to watch right now (The Morning Show, Servant, Home Before Dark, etc.), so expect to find more great content in the coming months.
Also, unlike other streaming sites, Apple TV+ has paid channels that you can subscribe to.
Currently you can subscribe to Tastemade (149/month) and Smithsonian Channel Plus (89 PHP/month).
Amazon Prime Video
A subscription to Amazon Prime Video costs 5.99 USD per month (approximately 305 PHP). Watch on your smart TV or Blu-ray player, Fire tablet, iOS phone or tablet, or Android phone or tablet.
You can enjoy shows like Fleabag, American Gods, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Man in the High Castle, and Jack Ryan with zero ads and in full HD.
There’s also an option for offline watching, allowing you to download full seasons or a bunch of movies and watch them anywhere.
The great thing about Amazon Prime Video is that up to 3 people can stream from the same account. However, no more than two users can stream the same movie or same episode on more than two devices.
If you want to check it out, there’s a free 7-day trial period.
Viu
If you love watching Asian dramas, movies, and variety shows, then you definitely would have heard about Viu. Its library of movies and shows will surely delight the most passionate K Drama fans!
You can watch on a free basic plan. But if you want unlimited access to all the shows and movies and unlimited downloads for offline viewing, you can get the Premium account.
A premium account is completely ad-free. You can also watch in full HD resolution and get access to the latest episodes just hours after telecast.
There’s no contract period, so cancel anytime.
Here’s how to get Viu:
- Sign up through the official Viu app available in the Google Playstore or App Store. It’s just 25 PHP per month for the first 3 months, and 129 PHP per subsequent month.
- You can also try the service for free for 14 days when you sign up online. Pay with your credit card and subscribe for just 129 PHP per month.
- Did you know that you can also sign up via your mobile phone? Just text Viu99 and send it to 8080 for Globe and TM, or text Viu ON 99 and send it to 2948 for Smart, Sun and TnT subscribers. An SMS with a link will then be sent to activate your Viu Premium.
- You can also buy Viu subscription plans on Shopee and Lazada, but it does not come with a free 14-day trial period.
Crunchyroll
Any anime fans out there? With Crunchyroll, you can watch all your favorite anime in full HD on your smartphone, tablet, computer, or smart TV.
There’s a 14-day free trial, after which it’s $7.99 monthly (approximately 405 PHP excluding taxes and other fees).
As a premium user, you can watch the latest episode while it’s still hot and fresh, usually as soon as an hour after it airs in Japan.
It’s ad-free, and you get unlimited access to its entire manga and anime library.
iWant
You can use this streaming service for free when you sign up for the Basic Free account. It’s pretty good, especially if you just want to watch an episode of a Kapamilya show that you missed.
The basic account also has iWant Live where you can watch live news programs from ABS-CBN, ANC, and DZMM.
Sports games aired on S+A (Sports + Action) are also live streamed here.
But you have the option to upgrade to a Premium Plan for just 120 PHP a month.
This gives you access to the entire TV library, and you can watch all Premium movies.
There are pay-per-view movies and iWant Originals that you can watch as well.
However, content can only be streamed on one device. No simultaneous streaming.
iFlix
iFlix is another streaming service with lots of good local content. Here are the VIP plans you can sign up for:
- Daily Plan – 10 PHP/day with your Smart Postpaid account
- Weekly Plan – unlimited access, no ads, 50 PHP / week
- Monthly Plan – unlimited access, no ads, 129 PHP / month
Aside from local TV shows and movies, you can also watch Asian shows, K Dramas, and US TV shows and movies.
iFlix has original productions, too, as well as anime, documentaries, and the best of Southeast Asian cinema. Download it now in your Android and iOS devices.
HOOQ
HOOQ also offers a pretty good selection of local movies and TV shows, as well as Hollywood blockbusters and hit TV shows.
Content is updated monthly, but not all movies or TV series are available in HD.
Once you sign up for a subscription, you can watch on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, smart TV, set top boxes, or other digital media players.
Your HOOQ account can also be linked to Airplay or Chromecast.
Use up to 5 devices and stream or download in up to 2 devices.
Free-to-air channels can be live streamed for free. Offline viewing is also available, so download as many as 10 movies.
You also have the option to rent movies for 180 PHP.
If you want to check out their library first before parting with your hard-earned money, HOOQ offers a 30-day trial subscription. After the trial period, it’s 149 PHP per month.
Or you can get a Globe At Home Plan 1299 or any higher plan to enjoy a free 6-month trial subscription.
Final Thoughts
Netflix’s content and price points meet most Filipinos’ criteria.
Apple TV+ has promise, but it will take a while to build up their library.
If you already have a cable subscription with HBO on it, you can skip HBO Go.
Viu and Crunchyroll have a very specific target market.
HOOQ, iFlix, and iWant are affordable but might leave you wanting more.
If you’ve never tried any of these streaming services, the choices can be a bit overwhelming.
But you can narrow them down by deciding on the type of content you want, who will be watching in your household, how much you’re willing to pay every month, and how fast or reliable your internet connection is.
Go for a streaming service that has a lot of shows, documentaries, and movies that you love. If there are more perks and extras offered, you should consider that as well.
Which streaming service are you using right now? How are you liking it so far?