2012 was a fruitful year for the broadcast industry, with more producers now tapping on new media platforms to attract and engage viewers. Local programmes and productions continue to make inroads outside Singapore, including recognition at prestigious industry awards. Programmes made for multiple platforms such as the Internet, mobile and television are catching on as local content producers now recognise that social media has the power to engage and entice viewers in new ways. Notable multi-media content created include MediaCorp’s drama 96°C Café and Beach House Pictures' Hidden Cities Extreme, a travel and adventure series.

The End/Beginning - Nepal won a total of
three awards at the New York Festivals
International Television & Film Awards 2012
Asia's Underworld by Third Floor Pictures
was a finalist at the New York Festivals
International Television & Film Awards 2012

96°C Café, supported under the Production Assistance grant scheme, was first telecast online on XinMSN.com and continued its run as a 20-episode series on FTA-TV. Local retail stores also carried 96°C Café merchandise. Hidden Cities Extreme, which was supported by the same grant scheme, had viewers engaged on its Facebook page which shared videos, images and upcoming episodes of the programme. The programme’s host, Simon Yin, also interacted with viewers on the social media platform.

Going abroad

During the year in review, local independent production houses from the broadcast sector did Singapore proud with their work gaining recognition at international award ceremonies. For example, Very!’s The End/Beginning-Nepal won the "Gold World Medal" in the Social Issues/Current Affairs category, the "Silver World Medal" in the Community Service Programs category and the "Silver World Medal" in the Biography/Profiles category at the New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards 2012. Asia’s Underworld by Third Floor Pictures was also a Finalist for the Social Issues/Current Affairs category at the same festival.

Independent producers have also been collaborating with their international peers, enabling deeper penetration into key markets around the world. Recent co-productions include Kakadu, a documentary series on Kakadu National Park by Beach House Pictures, Northern Pictures and ABC TV; as well as HBO Asia's first prime-time television drama Serangoon Road. A detective drama series by Singapore company Infinite Studios, HBO Asia and ABC TV, Serangoon Road is shot on location in Singapore. It features a stellar cast including international artistes such as Joan Chen, Russell Wong and Singapore’s very own Chin Han whose credits include Hollywood films such as The Dark Knight and Contagion. Serangoon Road is also supported by MDA’s Production Assistance grant scheme.

To promote local content and services overseas, MDA led a delegation of 40 representatives from 21 companies to MIPCOM, one of the world’s leading content markets. With the support from MDA’s Marketing Assistance grant scheme, the participation rate from Singapore companies to this trade event increased by 18 per cent compared to 2011, making it the largest Singaporean representation at the market to date. Participation came from a wide mix of TV production, animation, and content distribution companies offering documentary, drama, animation content and digital technology services.

Local companies also strengthened industry relationships with their Malaysian contemporaries. National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Malaysia’s film agency and authority hosted a matchmaking event for Singapore and Malaysian delegates at MIPCOM for them to explore business opportunities and new ventures. More than 180 guests ranging from producers, broadcasters, financiers and distributors attended the reception.

Other than MIPCOM, MDA’s Marketing Assistance grant scheme also supported the participation of Singapore companies in broadcast markets such as World Congress of Science & Factual Producers and Asian Side of the Doc.

Not to be outdone, the animation sector also had a good showing during the year in review. The 3D animation series, Rob the Robot by Singapore’s One Animation and Canada’s Amberwood Entertainment, was sold to more than 57 territories, including broadcasters such as Disney Junior, ABC Australia and Al Jazeera Kids. Rob the Robot follows the adventures of Rob and his friends as they explore the Robot Galaxy.

Local animation productions also made waves at international award ceremonies. For example, Ask Lara by August Media Holdings was a 2013 Emmy nominee for "Best Kids Animation Series". At the 2012 Asian Television Awards, Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens produced by Tiny Island Productions and owned by Turner/Cartoon Network won "Best 3D Animated Programme" and Guess How Much I Love You by Scrawl Studios won "Best 2D Animated Programme".