To ensure that the local film and video sectors remain competitive, MDA introduced a series of measures to help these businesses lower their operating costs and shorten their time-to-market.
A key initiative rolled out by MDA was the introduction of the Simultaneous Rating System, which allows different versions of a film with different ratings to be screened at the same time to cater to different audiences. Previously, such films could only be screened with a one-week window period between them. This new move allows distributors to shorten their time-to-market and lowers their operating costs by saving on advertising and promotional efforts, which can now be carried out in tandem. It also aligned the treatment for film distribution with the existing practice for video distribution, where different versions of a title can be available simultaneously.
MDA also introduced on 15 November 2013 a waiver of Security Deposits (SD) lodged by Film Distribution and Exhibition licensees with a good track record. As of 25 March 2014, MDA has disbursed SD refunds amounting to S$6.91 million to 288 qualifying licensees or 98% of Film Distribution and Exhibition licensees. This is an example of an initiative which MDA implemented, in response to industry feedback on the SD regime.
Lastly, MDA conducted a review of its list of content that can be exempted from classification for video distribution in 2013. Exemptions are possible only through a co-regulatory effort between the MDA and the industry, where players may distribute titles falling within the exempted categories from classification without submitting them to the MDA. Over the years, the MDA has progressively exempted more categories of content and genres of videos such as educational, training, community or cultural programmes, karaoke sports and pre-1966 movies, subject to certain conditions. In 2013, MDA further expanded the list of exemption categories to include pre-1980s TV series.