FIC & MDA Launch FOX Formats Lab

SINGAPORE: FOX International Channels (FIC) and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) are working together on the FOX Formats Lab, an initiative that offers local production houses an opportunity to produce factual content for such networks as National Geographic Channel.

FOX Formats Lab was conceived to support the development of local content production talent in Singapore and ramp-up creation of international TV content by local production companies. The initial phase of the initiative will see content created for National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo People. The FOX Formats Lab initiative is a developmental platform, aimed at enhancing skills and encouraging knowledge sharing from experienced professionals within FIC’s global network to aspiring local talents. Participants have the opportunity to tap into the global expertise of FIC executives to hone their skills, and learn about the factual content development process at NGC.

The initiative will kick off with a production workshop in May, when invited Singapore-registered production companies will be presented with a commissioning brief.  Interested parties can then submit show concept proposals based on the brief, for the opportunity to be selected to take part in a series of workshops hosted by experienced executives and producers from FIC. These workshops are aimed at helping the participants to develop their ideas into full production proposals. The process culminates with select proposals being chosen to be developed and produced into a documentary series for NGC, which will be co-funded by FIC and the MDA. The production development funding for FOX Formats Lab totals S$6 million. 

Hamish Mykura, executive VP and head of international content for NGC International, said, “We’re very pleased to be launching this unique initiative, in which production companies will have unprecedented access to our global content development team. By aligning producers with commissioners, the FOX Formats Lab will not only provide a window into how channels operate and what drives our creative decisions, but will also result in new programming that will resonate with a global audience.”

Joon Lee, FIC’s executive VP of content and communications for APAC and the Middle East, said, “FIC and NGC have always believed in creating content at all levels—globally, regionally and locally. There are many local stories to be told in Asia and there’s no better entity to facilitate this storytelling than NGC. With Singapore already a strong hub for content creation and creative talent, we jumped at the opportunity to launch a worthy initiative like FOX Formats Lab with the MDA. We get to invest back into the talent pool as well as gain great locally-developed content for NGC in the process. It’s a win-win for all.”

Angeline Poh, assistant chief executive (Industry) at the MDA, said, “We are excited to launch this partnership with FIC to deepen Singapore’s factual production talent pool. Through the FOX Formats Lab initiative, promising producers will be mentored by industry veterans, and also given the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to develop compelling content for international audiences. We look forward to presenting to viewers the innovative formats that will emerge from this initiative.”