SolarFlix
A Philippine free-to-air and pay-television entertainment network operated by Southern Broadcasting Network and owned by Solar Entertainment Corporation.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
SolarFlix is a Philippine entertainment television network operated by Southern Broadcasting Network, a subsidiary of Solar Entertainment Corporation. The service is the successor to ETC, originally launched under the name Entertainment Central in 2004. Its programming has historically emphasized entertainment for young adults and women, combining imported series with locally produced or locally relevant film content. The network began with test transmissions in November 2003 and formally launched as ETC on March 1, 2004. It was initially carried by Sky Cable before moving to terrestrial distribution through Southern Broadcasting Network's flagship station, DWCP-TV channel 21, following a carriage dispute in 2008. The brand subsequently spent a period associated with Radio Philippines Network after Solar's broadcast interests acquired a minority stake in RPN during the network's privatization process. ETC became RPN's flagship programming channel in March 2011, while Solar developed a separate news operation. ETC returned to SBN in November 2013, where the network remained based. During its ETC era, the channel developed a female-oriented entertainment identity and carried imported dramas, lifestyle programming, films, and other general entertainment. It also benefited from the consolidation of programming after sister channel 2nd Avenue ceased broadcasting in June 2018. In November of that year, ETC introduced a revised station identity and the slogans "In Full Bloom" and "#IamETC." In May 2020, it adopted anamorphic widescreen presentation on digital free-to-air television to improve compatibility with widescreen displays. On June 16, 2022, ETC was relaunched as SolarFlix. The refreshed channel initially presented itself as a Tagalog-language movie service, with classic and independent Filipino films and documentaries connected with local film festivals. Its broader schedule has included Turkish dramas and Latin American telenovelas dubbed in Tagalog, Filipino films, Hollywood titles, and other foreign movies. The brand therefore combines the entertainment positioning inherited from ETC with a stronger focus on film and accessible locally localized programming. SolarFlix is distributed through free-to-air digital television in Metro Manila via SBN's DWCP-DTV channel 21 and through an analog provincial station, DXSS-TV channel 7 in Davao City. It has also been carried by cable and satellite providers including Sky Cable, Destiny Cable, Cablelink, Binangonan Cable TV Corporation, Cignal, SatLite, Sky Direct, and G Sat, as well as provincial cable operators. The channel has additionally been made available through online streaming. Its free-to-air digital schedule generally runs from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, while many pay-television and streaming distributors carry it continuously. Since 2021, the channel has suspended free-to-air programming during part of Holy Week for religious observance. SolarFlix broadcasts from Solar Entertainment's studio facilities in Mandaluyong, while SBN's terrestrial signal is transmitted from Antipolo, Rizal. The network's public profile is primarily domestic: it is a Philippine distribution and programming brand rather than a globally marketed television network.
History
SolarFlix traces its history to ETC, or Entertainment Central, a television channel developed by Solar Entertainment Corporation. Solar began test transmissions on November 24, 2003, before launching ETC on March 1, 2004. The service initially reached viewers through Sky Cable and was designed as an entertainment-oriented channel rather than a news or public-affairs network. In January 2008, ETC stopped airing as a separate Sky Cable channel after a carriage dispute. Solar subsequently used Southern Broadcasting Network's terrestrial infrastructure, placing ETC on SBN's flagship station, DWCP-TV channel 21. This gave the brand a free-to-air presence in addition to its pay-television distribution and made SBN an important part of ETC's broadcast identity. A further structural change occurred in 2011, when Solar TV Network acquired a 34 percent interest in Radio Philippines Network as part of RPN's privatization. On March 2 of that year, ETC replaced Solar TV as RPN's flagship programming channel. Solar also launched Talk TV at the same time as part of its developing news operation; Talk TV later became Solar News Channel. On October 30, 2012, Talk TV was rebranded as Solar News Channel, separating the news initiative from ETC's entertainment role. ETC returned to SBN on November 30, 2013. The following day, Solar News Channel moved to RPN to broaden its national reach. RPN was later sold to the ALC Group of Companies in August 2014, and Solar News Channel subsequently became 9TV. These changes left ETC again operating through the SBN side of Solar's broadcasting portfolio. The channel continued to evolve as a general-entertainment service. When sister channel 2nd Avenue ended transmission on June 5, 2018, a number of its programs moved to ETC. On November 21, 2018, ETC introduced a new station identity, refreshed graphics, and the slogans "In Full Bloom" and "#IamETC." The change reinforced the channel's contemporary entertainment image and its longstanding appeal to younger and female viewers. On May 25, 2020, ETC changed its free-to-air digital presentation to anamorphic widescreen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The technical upgrade was intended to improve viewing on compatible widescreen television sets. In 2021, the channel also began suspending its free-to-air schedule from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday, citing religious reasons. SolarFlix was announced in June 2022 through promotional teasers from SBN. On June 16, ETC was officially relaunched as SolarFlix at 6:00 p.m. The new identity initially centered on Tagalog-language films, including classic and independent Filipino productions and documentaries associated with local film festivals. The rebrand also affected distribution arrangements: selected cable and satellite operators carrying ETC were informed that the service would be replaced by Jungo TV's ScreamFlix beginning June 20, 2022. Under the SolarFlix name, the network has continued to provide a mix of Filipino films, Hollywood and other foreign movies, and dubbed Turkish and Latin American dramas. It is carried on SBN's digital free-to-air service in Metro Manila, on SBN's provincial analog outlet in Davao City, by numerous cable and satellite platforms, and through online streaming. SolarFlix remains a Philippine-focused entertainment channel within Solar Entertainment Corporation's broadcasting portfolio.
- 2022
SolarFlix launches
[1]ETC was relaunched as SolarFlix on June 16, with an initial focus on Tagalog-language films and documentaries.
- 2020
Digital broadcasts move to 16:9 presentation
[1]ETC adopted anamorphic widescreen presentation on free-to-air digital television.
- 2018
New ETC brand identity
[1]The channel introduced updated graphics and the slogans "In Full Bloom" and "#IamETC."
- 2013
ETC returns to SBN
[1]ETC returned to Southern Broadcasting Network on November 30, 2013.
- 2011
ETC becomes RPN's flagship programming channel
[1]Following Solar's acquisition of a minority stake in RPN, ETC replaced Solar TV as RPN's flagship programming channel on March 2.
- 2008
Terrestrial distribution moves to SBN
[1]After leaving Sky Cable as a separate channel because of a carriage dispute, ETC began airing through SBN's DWCP-TV channel 21.
- 2004
ETC launches as Entertainment Central
[1]ETC formally launched on March 1 as a Solar Entertainment television channel, initially distributed through Sky Cable.
- 2003
Test broadcasts begin
[1]Solar Entertainment began test transmissions that preceded the launch of ETC, the channel's original identity.
Products and positioning
A Philippine general-entertainment and film channel aimed primarily at young adults and women, combining Filipino movies and documentaries with dubbed international dramas and selected foreign films.
Free-to-air and pay television network · 2022
SolarFlix television channel
The core SolarFlix service is a Philippine entertainment television channel distributed through SBN's digital free-to-air station in Metro Manila, an analog provincial station in Davao City, and multiple cable and satellite operators. Its schedule combines films, dubbed dramas, documentaries, and general entertainment. The digital free-to-air service generally operates from morning until midnight, while many pay-television and streaming platforms carry the channel continuously.
Former television brand · 2004
ETC
ETC was the predecessor brand of SolarFlix and operated from 2004 until its relaunch in 2022. It was positioned as a youth- and female-oriented entertainment service, carrying imported series, films, lifestyle content, and other general programming. Its distribution shifted among Sky Cable, SBN, and RPN-linked broadcast arrangements during its operating history.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018In Full Bloom
Philippines
ETC introduced the "In Full Bloom" slogan as part of a broader station identity and on-air graphics refresh.
Outcome. The campaign accompanied the continued positioning of ETC as a contemporary entertainment channel.
- 2018#IamETC
Philippines
The #IamETC slogan was launched alongside ETC's 2018 visual identity update.
Outcome. It formed part of the channel's audience-facing brand refresh before the later SolarFlix relaunch.
Brand decisions
2022
ETC is rebranded as SolarFlixStrategyBackground
SBN announced a new entertainment channel identity in June 2022.
Action taken
ETC was relaunched as SolarFlix on June 16, initially emphasizing Tagalog-language Filipino films and documentaries.
Aftermath
The channel continued with a broader mix of Filipino and foreign films, dubbed dramas, and documentaries under the SolarFlix name.
2013
Return of ETC to SBNStrategyBackground
ETC had been used as a flagship programming channel on Radio Philippines Network since 2011.
Action taken
ETC returned to SBN on November 30, 2013.
Aftermath
Solar's news channel moved to RPN, while ETC continued as an entertainment service on SBN.
2008
Move to SBN terrestrial distributionStrategyBackground
ETC ceased airing as a separate Sky Cable channel after a carriage dispute.
Action taken
Solar placed ETC on Southern Broadcasting Network's flagship terrestrial station, DWCP-TV channel 21.
Aftermath
The move gave ETC a free-to-air terrestrial outlet while it continued to rely on cable and other distribution platforms.
Sources2 sources
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