MDA, MediaCorp Partner for Digital Content

SINGAPORE: At the ATF today, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and broadcasting group MediaCorp issued a call for digital content proposals from local producers, with a view to creating original productions for the xinmsn video platform.

This extension of MDA’s Content 360TV Initiative aims to develop and finance a slate of original web productions for the xinmsn online bilingual entertainment and lifestyle portal jointly developed by Microsoft and MediaCorp. Proposals are being sought from local production companies for format-driven and sponsor-friendly web productions geared to viewers 15 to 34. The proposals should already have some financing in place. MDA will co-invest up to 50 percent of the production budget of the selected projects. Preference will be given to projects with concepts, stories and themes that have international relevance and appeal, with the potential for the show to be turned into a TV show and syndicated globally. Proposals are due January 31, 2011.

“We hope Singapore independent producers will increase the value of the productions by exploiting traditional and new online media platforms," said MDA CEO Aubeck Kam. "We are delighted to work with MediaCorp and the independent production sector to grow the Singapore media industry."

Shaun Seow, MediaCorp’s deputy CEO for News, Radio, Interactive & Print, said he hopes the initiative "will catalyze 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 social networking tools to enhance reach."