Soap operas in the Philippines began with Gulong ng Palad (Wheel of Fortune) on radio in 1949, and the genre expanded into television during the early 1960s.
The first Philippine TV soap opera was Hiwaga sa Bahay na Bato (Mystery at the Stone House) in 1963, produced by ABS-CBN.
Its TV version starred Marianne Dela Riva and Ronald Corveau and introduced young actors, including Romnick Sarmenta.
The lack of a diverse media base aided the emergence of nationwide satellite broadcasting, and competition between the two networks spurred afternoon and prime-time sitcoms and serials.
During the early and mid-1990s, local sitcoms dominated Philippine television with the rise of ABS-CBN's Palibhasa Lalake, Home Along Da Riles, Oki Doki Doc and the political satire Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata and GMA Network's Bubble Gang.
The longest-running teledrama in the post-martial-law era, it had frequent time-slot changes before settling into the standard 7-8:00 pm prime-time block by late 1995.
Mula Sa Puso was the country's first middle-class primetime series, differing from the telenovelas with protagonists from the lower socioeconomic classes.
The term originated with the ABS-CBN drama Pangako Sa 'Yo, airing from 2000 to 2002 and starring Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa, and the rivalry between actresses Eula Valdez and Jean Garcia.
GMA Network's political drama Kung Mawawala Ka examined corruption, starring Eddie Garcia; it ran from 2002 to 2003 and received an award from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).
Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas, aired between 2003 and 2004, was the world's first drama series to allow viewers to choose a story's ending by texting.
A contemporary ABS-CBN teleserye, Basta't Kasama Kita, starred Judy Ann Santos and Robin Padilla; notable for its depiction of the National Bureau of Investigation, it was the first Filipino series to broadcast a live series-finale episode in 2004.
In 2004, GMA Network overtook ABS-CBN in popularity when it introduced an all-fantaserye prime-time lineup featuring female-lead shows such as Encantadia and Mulawin.
International hits included ABS-CBN's 2006 Gulong ng Palad, starring Kristine Hermosa and TJ Trinidad, which was carried on TFC.
ABS-CBN produced its most expensive series, Lobo, in 2008; it starred Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin—the first Filipino nominated for an International Emmy for a lead role.
Religious and family teleseryes continued dominating television from the late 2000s since the premiere of Mga Anghel na Walang Langit on May 9, 2005.
Among these religious and family teleseryes aired during the 2010s include May Bukas Pa, Agua Bendita, Momay, Noah, Mutya, 100 Days to Heaven, Budoy, Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig, Dahil sa Pag-ibig, Lorenzo's Time, Juan dela Cruz, My Little Juan, Honesto, Oh My G!, Nathaniel, My Super D, My Dear Heart, and Starla (with it ended at the 2020s decade on January 10, 2020), all of which were aired on ABS-CBN.
The 2015 teleseryes Bridges of Love was broadcast as Puentes de Amor; the first Philippine drama aired in Latin America, it premiered on April 25, 2016, on Panamericana Televisión in Peru.
Ang Probinsyano, starred by Coco Martin, attracted national attention for depicting the Philippine Drug War and the Philippine National Police despite renewed MTRCB censorship, ran for 7 years from September 28, 2015 and ended in the 2020s decade on August 12, 2022, and currently holds the title for being the country's longest-running drama series since July 10, 2020 which surpassed the five-year run 1992–1997's Mara Clara.
ABS-CBN's series 2019 military drama The General's Daughter was replaced by The Killer Bride, which has been praised for depicting the Duterte administration.
Domination of family and religious-oriented drama series continued throughout the 2020s decade, with teleseryes belonging to this genre that aired in the 2020s are Huwag Kang Mangamba top-billed by The Gold Squad (Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Kyle Echarri, and Francine Diaz of Kadenang Ginto and ASAP Natin 'To!
The 2007 Philippine adaptation of MariMar, GMA's most successful domestic television series, was also aired in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Hawaii.
Other GMA shows, such as Habang Kapiling Ka, Kahit Kailan, Bakekang, Muli, Impostora, Mga Mata ni Anghelita, Dyesebel and Encantadia, are still broadcast elsewhere in Asia and Africa.
Called the Pambansang Teleserye,[7] the series has been nominated for and received a number of awards[8] The show is widely regarded for tackling timely issues,[9] and has generated controversy for its negative portrayal of the government and its agencies.
[10][11][12] The series has been considered a kingmaker, with a high endorsement value in the 2019 midterm elections,[13] and is a desirable platform for actors wishing to run for public office.
[14][15] A party list with the show's name, endorsed by series leads Coco Martin and Yassi Pressman, finished fifth in 2019 and won a seat in the House of Representatives.