Channel Profile: MediaCorp’s Channel 5

SINGAPORE: About 70 percent of MediaCorp Channel 5’s prime-time schedule consists of acquired international programming, according to Joy Olby-Tan, VP of network acquisitions, with the free-TV broadcaster on the lookout for movies, dramas and comedies, variety and reality shows.

What have been some of your most successful acquisitions recently?
Singaporean viewers still enjoy Variety programs such as Breaking The Magician’s Code and Ninja Warrior and these have worked well for us in the past year.

Can you give us a sense of how much you buy annually?
Our strategy is to acquire primarily for primetime, which comprises about 70 percent worth of international programming.

What are the main genres you are acquiring?
As Channel 5 is a GE channel, the genres we acquire are movies, drama, variety, reality, comedy and selected sports events.

What are some of the slots you’re currently looking to fill?
All of our primetime slots! If there is good content that can drive our viewership and business, we will find slots for them.

Are you acquiring formats from the international market?
Yes, we are constantly on the lookout for the next hits. The usual suspects are big brands with proven track records that can lend themselves to localization and the ability to drive our business. We do of course hope to find diamonds in the rough too and will give due review to formats with strong potential.

Are you interested in co-production opportunities?
Yes, we are interested in all manner of new opportunities. Other than the content fitting our channel’s positioning and a positive business case, we welcome all discussions.

Are you increasing your programming budget, now that economy is in full recovery mode?
Belts are still being tightened but we will make new investments where warranted. What we hope to achieve are improved productivities and to find new ways to retain the ever-distracted viewer.