Pldt Entertainment Promotions And Subscriber Benefits In 2019

In the competitive telecommunications landscape of the Philippines, PLDT and its mobile arm Smart Communications have consistently sought to differentiate themselves through innovative service packages and promotional offerings. While 2019 saw the company continuing to expand its network infrastructure and service portfolio, it also introduced several entertainment-focused promotions designed to enhance the subscriber experience. This article examines the key promotional offerings and benefits that PLDT provided to its customers during 2019, with particular focus on entertainment packages and special access to premium content.

NBA League Pass Access for PLDT Home Subscribers

One of the most significant entertainment offerings introduced by PLDT in 2019 was the integration of NBA League Pass for its Home subscribers. This collaboration represented a strategic move to combine telecommunications services with premium sports content, creating a bundled offering that appealed to basketball enthusiasts throughout the Philippines.

The NBA League Pass was made available to PLDT Home subscribers through a convenient billing mechanism, allowing them to charge their subscription directly to their existing PLDT Home account. This streamlined the payment process and created a seamless integration between connectivity and entertainment services.

Subscribers gained access to NBA games and exclusive programs both live and on-demand for as low as PhP 485 per month. This pricing positioned the service as an accessible option for basketball fans who wanted comprehensive coverage of the league. The timing of the promotion was particularly noteworthy, as it coincided with the NBA's return after being postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The NBA League Pass subscription included several features that enhanced the viewing experience:

• Access to seeding games and the 2019-2020 NBA Playoffs
• New statistical overlays providing deeper insights into game performance
• Alternative audio options allowing viewers to experience games with different commentary
• Multiple viewing options that accommodated different preferences and devices
• Access to new camera angles offering perspectives not available on traditional broadcasts
• Multiple in-language streams catering to diverse linguistic preferences
• Influencer commentary providing additional analysis and entertainment
• In-depth analysis and live game statistics

These features collectively created a comprehensive basketball viewing experience that went beyond traditional television broadcasts, leveraging digital technology to provide subscribers with unprecedented access to NBA content.

Video Every Day Promo with Smart's GigaSurf Data Packages

Building on the success of its Free YouTube campaign, which had reportedly more than doubled the daily active YouTube users on its network and driven over 13 times more data usage traffic, Smart Communications introduced the "Video Every Day" promo in 2019. This promotional offering was designed to provide Smart subscribers with regular access to premium streaming content as part of their data packages.

The Video Every Day promo was bundled with all of Smart's GigaSurf data packages, making it an integrated component of the company's mobile offerings. Subscribers with active GigaSurf subscriptions received up to 1 hour of video access daily across multiple popular streaming platforms, including:

• YouTube
• iflix
• iWant TV
• Cignal Play
• NBA League Pass

The comprehensive nature of this offering meant that subscribers could enjoy content across various genres and services, from general entertainment and movies to sports programming. The daily access duration provided flexibility, allowing subscribers to consume content at their own pace while maintaining predictable data usage patterns.

This promotional strategy demonstrated PLDT and Smart's understanding of evolving consumer behavior, particularly the growing preference for mobile video consumption. By integrating video access directly into their data packages, the company made premium content more accessible to a broader subscriber base while potentially increasing overall data usage and customer satisfaction.

Network Infrastructure and Service Expansion

While not directly promotional in nature, the underlying network infrastructure development during 2019 significantly contributed to the quality of PLDT's entertainment offerings. The company continued to position its Home Fibr service as "the fastest Fibr connection for lag-free gaming at home" and promoted its LTE network as "the fastest LTE network for gaming on-the-go."

These network enhancements directly supported the entertainment promotions by ensuring that subscribers could reliably access high-bandwidth content like NBA League Pass and streaming video services. The combination of improved infrastructure with bundled entertainment packages created a compelling value proposition for both new and existing customers.

Event Partnerships and Brand Collaborations

PLDT and Smart leveraged event partnerships and collaborations to enhance their promotional offerings in 2019. The company supported various events in the digital and entertainment space, including participation in industry gatherings that featured prominent speakers and thought leaders.

Carlo Ople, VP of Digital Strategy and Consumer Disruptive Business at PLDT, was among the speakers at Digicon South XE 2019, suggesting the company's active engagement with digital trends and innovations. This involvement in industry events positioned PLDT as a forward-thinking telecommunications provider committed to staying at the forefront of digital entertainment solutions.

Customer Experience Enhancements

Beyond specific promotions, PLDT focused on enhancing the overall customer experience through service improvements and innovative features. The company emphasized its commitment to providing "amazing experiences for Filipinos whether they are in the comfort of their home or on the go," indicating a holistic approach to customer satisfaction.

The introduction of plug-and-play devices represented one such enhancement, allowing customers to easily access trending videos on YouTube, HD channels from Cignal, movies and TV series from iflix, Netflix originals, and hundreds of free streaming channels on their television. These user-friendly solutions removed technical barriers to content access, making premium entertainment more accessible to a wider audience.

Strategic Positioning in the Market

PLDT's promotional strategy in 2019 reflected a broader positioning of the company as a comprehensive digital services provider rather than merely a telecommunications operator. By bundling connectivity with entertainment content, PLDT created a more integrated value proposition that addressed multiple aspects of the digital lifestyle.

The company's emphasis on "unlocking bigger and more rewarding experiences" through its services demonstrated an understanding that modern consumers seek comprehensive solutions that combine connectivity, content, and convenience. This approach differentiated PLDT from competitors and helped strengthen customer loyalty.

Conclusion

The promotional offerings introduced by PLDT in 2019 represented a strategic evolution in the company's approach to customer engagement. By focusing on entertainment content and seamless integration with connectivity services, PLDT created value-added propositions that enhanced the subscriber experience beyond traditional telecommunications offerings.

The NBA League Pass integration and Video Every Day promo exemplified this approach, providing subscribers with premium content access as part of their service packages. These offerings, supported by ongoing network infrastructure improvements and customer experience enhancements, positioned PLDT as a leader in the convergence of connectivity and entertainment in the Philippine market.

While specific free samples or no-cost product trials were not prominently featured in the available information, the bundled entertainment access and service enhancements provided tangible benefits to subscribers, representing a form of value addition beyond standard connectivity services.

Sources

1. FibrBiz MSME Application Form
2. PLDT Smart Unlock the Future
3. NBA League Pass with PLDT Home
4. PLDT Group SM Store Partnership
5. Digicon South XE 2019 Takeaways