Media Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IMDA AWARDS FREQUENCIES FOR TWO NEW RADIO STATIONS

SINGAPORE – 13 March, 2017: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) awarded radio frequencies - FM89.3 and FM96.3 - to SPH Radio Pte Ltd (SPH Radio). This paves the way for two new commercial free-to-air radio stations.

Singaporeans can look forward to a new Chinese radio station that caters to seniors above 50 years of age. The station aims to support active aging by providing seniors with lifestyle information covering health, wellness and retirement planning. Chinese pop and "xin yao" entertainment music from the 80's and 90's will also feature in its staple programming.

The second station is aimed at raising financial literacy of listeners. This English station will educate PMEBs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Businessmen), financial market participants as well as the general audience on money matters. Its programming will comprise locally-produced bulletins and features focusing on market news updates, financial education, insurance planning, CPF-related discussions and a range of other topics ranging from dining, travel, health and career opportunities.

The award of the two vacant radio frequencies follows the conclusion of IMDA’s open tender exercise in June 2016 which was met with strong industry interest and attracted both not- for-profit and commercial radio station proposals. At the close of the tender, IMDA received nine proposals from five tenderers – Pte Ltd, SPH Radio Pte Ltd, Rex Cinema Pte Ltd, HT Overseas Pte Ltd and Asia Today Pte Ltd. (See Annex A for full list of proposals received).

A Tender Evaluation Committee, comprising IMDA representatives, members from the programme advisory committees and the media academic community, evaluated and found

the two proposals to be most compelling in injecting both choice and diversity into Singapore’s radio scene.

The two new stations by SPH Radio Pte Ltd are expected to be launched this year. Their introduction will bring the total number of local FM stations to 20 (See Annex B for full list of radio stations).

ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will develop a vibrant, world-class infocomm media sector that drives the economy, connects people, bonds communities and powers Singapore's Smart Nation vision. IMDA does this by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICT and media infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment. IMDA also enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission. For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook IMDAsg and Twitter @IMDAsg.

For media clarifications, please contact:

YUEN Hui Tian (Ms) Assistant Manager, Regulatory Communications, IMDA DID: (65) 6202 4416 Email: [email protected]

Winston CHAI (Mr) Deputy Director, Regulatory and Corporate Communications, IMDA DID: (65) 6202 4407 Email: [email protected]

Annex A

Proposals received

S/N Name of Tenderer Brief description of Proposal

1 Rex Cinema Pte 24hrs Tamil station with general programming Ltd

2 SPH Radio Pte Ltd 24hrs English station with less talk more music concept, easy listening music

3 SPH Radio Pte Ltd 24hrs Chinese station which targets audience aged 50+, “xinyao” and 80s-90s music

4 SPH Radio Pte Ltd 24hrs English station, finance and business focused

5 Mediacorp Pte Ltd 24hrs commercial English station with less talk more music concept, easy listening music

6 Mediacorp Pte Ltd 24hrs not-for-profit English station which targets audience aged above 55. Mix of info-education talk and music from 60s and 70s 7 Mediacorp Pte Ltd 24hrs not-for-profit Chinese dialect station which targets audience aged above 55. Mix of discussion, info-talk, music from 60s to 90s 8 HT Overseas Pte 24hrs Hindi, Bengali, Tamil station with music from Ltd Bollywood, Tollywood and Kollywood

9 Asia Today Pte Ltd 24hrs Hindi radio station with music from Bollywood movies

Annex B

Current Radio Stations in Singapore There are currently three local radio broadcasters – Mediacorp Pte Ltd, Singapore Armed Forces Reservists' Association (SAFRA) Radio, and SPH Radio offering a total of 18 radio stations in Singapore:

905  Symphony 924  938LIVE   987  Lush 99.5FM  YES 933  CAPITAL 95.8FM  LOVE 97.2FM  Warna 94.2FM  Ria 89.7FM  Oli 96.8FM  Power98FM  883JiaFM  ONE FM 91.3  Kiss 92FM  UFM 100.3  BBC World Service 88.9 FM