Dated: 11 April 2005
In another boost for Singapore’s growing media industry, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on the first day of MIPTV, one of the world’s largest TV markets. This will serve to reinforce the MDA’s vision to develop Singapore into a Global Media City as outlined in its blueprint for the industry, Media 21.
These agreements will result in a spate of programmes spanning content genres from dramas to documentaries and also foster greater international alliances between Singapore media companies and their international counterparts.
The first MOU was sealed with the Asia division of leading global real-world content provider, Discovery Networks Asia (DNA). Jointly, the MDA and DNA will be co-investing about USD$3.2 million to produce up to 40 hours of factual and lifestyle programmes a year. International and local partners participating in the production will contribute additional funding for the production of the programmes, which will eventually be shown on either Discovery Channel or Discovery Travel &Living Channel, reaching more than 279 million homes in Asia Pacific.
The MDA–DNA MOU was signed between Ms Rebecca Batties, Senior Vice-President, Creative Development and Brand Management of Discovery Networks International and Mr Seto Lok Yin, Director, Industry Development of the MDA.
On the inking of the MOU, Dr Tan Chin Nam, Chairman of the MDA commented, “Collaboration with international partners is a key focus of our growth strategy for the Singapore media industry. We recognise the value in partnering with established global players in producing content of world-class quality for the global audience.”
The second MOU was initialed with Oak3 Films, one of Singapore’s most established production companies, in a deal worth about USD$18 million. This agreement, signed by the MDA's Director of Industry Development, Mr Seto Lok Yin and the Chief Executive Officer of Oak3 Films, Ms Zaihirat Banu, is for a number of film and television projects over a three-year period. Similar to the MOU signed with Discovery, this agreement will help to incentivise international partners to co-invest with Oak3 Films in film and television productions.
Separately, Oak3 Films also inked an MOU with FFP New Media to collaborate on the production of three telemovies over the next three-year period. The MOU is a testament to the fruitful international and cross cultural partnership emanating from the success of both companies' first co-produced telemovie, House of Harmony. Kicking off the MOU is a telemovie called Julia’s Journey which traces the trials and tribulations of a wealthy girl and how she has to come to terms with failure as a part of growing up.
On the significance of these MOUs, Dr Tan Chin Nam added, “It’s a winning combination –we bring to the table our unique ability to harness and operate comfortably in both Asian and Western modes. We are able to interpret and communicate perspectives creatively for the regional as well as international audiences. These key traits will definitely energise the production work outlined by the signing of these MOUs.”
The MDA had recently concluded similar MOUs with a Singapore production house, Peach Blossom Media at the Asia Media Festival in November 2004 and the Shanghai Media Group at MIPCOM last October.
Media contact:
Sharanjit Kaur (Ms)
Manager
Corporate &Marketing Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel : 65 6837 9365
Fax : 65 6336 4142
Email : Sharanjit_KAUR@imda.gov.sg
Casey Chang (Ms)
Assistant Director
Corporate &Marketing Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel : 65 6837 9344
Email : Casey_CHANG@imda.gov.sg
.webp)