Dated: 9 December 2010
Asia Television Forum, Singapore, 9 December 2010 –In a joint effort to develop the nascent online video market, which is set to grow as online video consumption goes mainstream, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and MediaCorp jointly call for content proposals from Singapore independent production companies for digital branded entertainment. This collaboration, an extension of MDA’s Content 360TV Initiative, is designed to develop, finance, and distribute a slate of original Web productions through MediaCorp’s xinmsn video platform.
The MDA and MediaCorp invite applications from Singapore traditional or digital production companies for format-driven and sponsor-friendly Web productions that are aimed at the younger audience of 15 –34 years old;who enjoy mainstream entertainment and are active users of social media but not necessarily early adopters.
Both MDA and MediaCorp hope that the producers’ ideas will take advantage of the richness of traditional TV, harness the power of the broadband like interactivity, mobility, social media etc to deliver compelling new entertainment for the connected audiences around the world.
Proposed projects should already have secured some financing to meet their production budgets, and preference will be given to projects with concepts, stories and themes that have international relevance and appeal.
Selected projects will be promoted through xinmsn and potentially on MediaCorp's extensive media network. MDA will co-invest up to 50% of the production budget of the selected projects, together with the production companies and their partners. There is also opportunity for the Web series to spin off into television productions, or syndicate onto the TV platform, internationally. The call for proposals will be open until 31 January 2011. Details of the Call application guidelines can be found in the Annex.
“We hope Singapore independent producers will increase the value of the productions by exploiting traditional and new online media platforms. We are delighted to work with MediaCorp and the independent production sector to grow the Singapore media industry” said Aubeck Kam, MDA Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Shaun Seow, MediaCorp Deputy CEO (News, Radio, Interactive &Print) said, “We are very proud to partner MDA in this exciting initiative which we hope will catalyse the development of original web video productions in Singapore. We operate Singapore’s largest local portal, xinmsn.com, which will offer an excellent platform to showcase these productions. Producing content for the web also allows producers to push the envelope in terms of interactivity, and to tap on social networking tools to enhance reach”.
Xinmsn, the online bilingual entertainment and lifestyle portal jointly developed by Microsoft and MediaCorp, has seen tremendous growth since its debut in April 2010 and has become Singapore’s top portal attracting more than 1.9million unique visitors according to comScore, an online measurement agency and preferred source of digital marketing intelligence.
The Content 360TV Initiative was launched by MDA in April 2009 to encourage content producers to develop episodic video programmes in partnership with brands and online publishers. The initiative, which provides partial funding for the early stage development of Web TV content, has since shortlisted nine proposals have been selected, of which four listed below are now in production:
- 1,000 miles by Threesixzero Productions;
- LoveQ.tv (working title) by The Very Love Company;
- NowShowingLife.tv (working title) by Interactive Digital Reality;and
- Terrorville (working title) by Oak3 Films
Issued by MDA and MediaCorp
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 Trusted Global Capital for New Asia Media. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote industry growth in film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation 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 MediaCorp
MediaCorp is Singapore’s leading media company with the most complete range of platforms, spanning television, radio, newspapers, magazines, movies, digital and out-of-home media.
It pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, with the broadcast of Radio in 1936 and Television in 1963. Today, MediaCorp has over 50 products and brands in four languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil), reaching out to all adults in Singapore every week.
Our industry firsts include the Digital Video Broadcast technology for outdoor digital television, and Asia’s first Digital Audio Broadcast radio service. Initiatives in the digital space include online classifieds, Internet TV-on-demand and High Definition TV broadcast.
MediaCorp is an active regional player through co-productions in TV dramas and movies, magazines publishing, as well as Channel NewsAsia International, one of the first Asian-owned English news channels.
Our financial and strategic relationships in the region since 2007 include a venture with Indonesia's most integrated media company PT Media Nusantara Citra and its parent, Global Mediacom, and International Media Corporation in Vietnam, set up to develop and produce television entertainment and economic news content.
Winner of numerous international awards and accolades including Asia Television's Broadcaster of the Year, MediaCorp’s vision is to become Asia’s top media company, delivering valued content to the world.
For more information, please visit www.mediacorp.com.sg
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