Dated: 1 April 2009
Initiative will support development of over 600 hours of original content
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), Singapore’s Net Leader Holdings Private Limited (NL Holdings) and China-based Gobi Partners today announced a joint call for proposals from Singapore producers in collaboration with Asian partners to co-produce original content for international distribution.
The programmes will be acquired for broadcast on NL Holdings’ satellite TV channel, YR Asia Satellite TV, which NL Holdings owns and manages. The channel is currently available in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia with plans to expand its services to 15 countries, reaching out to 1.2 billion Mandarin-speaking people in China and the rest of Asia Pacific.
Through the call, MDA, NL Holdings and Gobi Partners aim to support more than 600 hours of original content with public service values for Singapore and international markets.
Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA, said: “Through the call with our partners, we are casting the net wide for quality, compelling content that promote shared values and showcase the fabric of Asian culture and talents to the world.”
Mr Wee Ah Kee, Chairman of NL Holdings, a Singapore media company, expressed great enthusiasm to be part of this initiative and to be able to contribute to the local media scene. He added that YR Asia Satellite TV will act as the platform to showcase these excellent works to China and the rest of the world.
Mr Lau Wai Kit, Partner of Gobi Partners said:: “Together with NL Holdings, we will be bringing in producers from China, Hong Kong SAR and other Asian countries to work with Singapore producers, creating an opportunity for them to exchange pointers. Through this, we can expect to see many new ideas that were never explored before. We are also in discussion with Jinyingma Movie and Television Production, AsiaPlus Satellite TV, Shanghai Cartoon, Digital Media Group, Prime Time Entertainment and Cloudpic to explore the possibilities of collaborating with Singapore producers. We are definitely looking forward to the results of this initiative.”
MDA’s collaboration with NL Holdings and Gobi Partners further strengthens Singapore’s position as a regional media hub. Apart from content creation, NL Holdings owns and manages the satellite TV channel, YR Asia Satellite TV. Gobi Partners is a China-based specialist venture capital firm focusing on digital media and manages digital media funds targeted at private companies operating in China.
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About 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, please visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg.
About Net Leader Holdings Private Limited (NL Holdings)
Established in 2003, Net Leader Holdings Private Limited (NL Holdings) is a media management company specializing in platform management, content production and distribution. NL Holdings programs, operates and distributes a Pan Asia television channel under the YR brand with cross culture entertainment, lifestyle and children programs. The YR Asia channel was launched in October 2008. Based in Singapore, NL Holdings has a global network of strategic partners across Australia, China, Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. For more information, please visit www.nlholdings.net
About Gobi Partners
Gobi Partners is a China-based venture capital firm focused on investment opportunities in China’s digital media sector. Gobi defines digital media as a new form of communication emerging from the convergence in telecommunications, media and technology. Gobi invests in companies that are pushing the frontier, integrating gaps or enabling consolidation within the digital media value chain. The Gobi funds include IBM, NTT DOCOMO, Sierra Ventures, McGraw-Hill, Steamboat Ventures (the venture capital arm of The Walt Disney Company), and Nokia Growth Partners as investors. For more information, please visit www.gobivc.com
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