Dated: 30 July 2008
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) has issued a Niche TV Licence to Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), which plans to launch Razor TV, an interactive Web TV service with a strong emphasis on local content offering both live and video-on-demand programmes. In addition, the interactive technology behind Razor TV is being developed through a grant from the Interactive Digital Media Office (IDMPO), which is hosted by MDA.
Niche TV Licence fosters growth of innovative IPTV services
The five-year Niche TV Licence will facilitate SPH’s entry into the local IPTV market with its innovative service, establishing it as the first media company in Singapore to develop a new genre of TV with live web studio streaming and real time audience interactivity.
Part of the two-tier licence framework, the Niche Subscription TV Licence was introduced by MDA in 2007 to facilitate the growth of IPTV services in Singapore by offering operators greater flexibility to roll out services for different market segments. There are currently eight Nationwide and Niche commercial and trial IPTV/VOD service providers, including SPH, offering more than 125 TV channels to viewers in Singapore.
“MDA encourages traditional media players such as SPH to reach out and engage our increasingly Internet and technology savvy viewers in Singapore with exciting and interactive content through new media broadcasting platforms such as IPTV and participative web 2.0 technologies, ” said Ms Ling Pek Ling, Director, Media Policy, MDA.
IDMPO supports Singapore companies in developing novel media services
With traditional media companies embracing new media and investing in more interactive and multi-platform delivery modes, MDA also actively supports research and development in innovative services via the multi-agency Interactive Digital Media Research and Development Programme Office (IDMPO) that it hosts.
IDMPO awarded a developer grant for the development of SPH’s Razor TV interactive media technology. The core technology of Razor TV was developed in partnership with Singapore technology company, Ufinity Pte Ltd. This is part of IDMPO’s efforts in encouraging local flagship media companies to embrace new media and engage in IDM R&D to create innovative products and services.
Mr Michael Yap, Executive Director, IDMPO said: “A key initiative of the IDMPO’s research and development initiative is to bring about innovation in our new media sector, offering exciting new services to our local viewers. We are pleased that SPH has launched a new genre of Internet TV using technology developed by our local company.”
MDA does not limit the number of niche licensees. It welcomes local and overseas IPTV service providers to come forward and use Singapore as a base for launching innovative media services. A summary of the key conditions for the Niche Subscription TV Licence can be found in Annex A. For more details on the Licence Framework for Broadcasting IPTV Services, please visit http://www.mda.gov.sg/television.
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About the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)
Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Global Media City and positioning it at the forefront of the digital media age. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote developments in film, video, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation, media services and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg.
About the Interactive & Digital Media (IDM) Sector
The development of the IDM sector requires the collaboration of a diverse range of public sector agencies, educational institutions, industry players and other stakeholders. To achieve this, the National Research Foundation has allocated $500 million over the next five years from 2006 to fund the development of a strategic IDM research programme and the set-up of a multi-agency IDM R&D Programme Office within the Media Development Authority of Singapore to oversee R&D initiatives in the IDM space. This multi-agency team is accountable to the IDM Executive Committee and coordinates a cross-disciplinary effort to deepen Singapore’s research capacity in IDM.
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