ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013 Strengthening Singapore Stories CONTENTS STRENGTHENING SINGAPORE STORIES PG 04 MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES PG 06 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE PG 08 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & SENIOR MANAGEMENT PG 12 CHAPTER 1 PG 20 COMPETITIVE & SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY CHAPTER 2 PG 34 CONSUMER PROTECTION & EMPOWERMENT CHAPTER 3 PG 40 NATION BUILDING THROUGH STRONG LOCAL MEDIA CHAPTER 4 PG 48 ENGAGING THE INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY & EMPLOYEES MDA ADVISORY COMMITTEES PG 55 ANNEX PG 82 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PG 87 Media Convergence 4 5 Media Convergence Scan this QR code to view the video Scan this QR code to view the video VIDEO 1: VIDEO 2: STRENGTHENING Opportunities and challenges Telling stories in with media convergence more ways than one SINGAPORE STORIES http://www.mda.gov.sg/AboutUs/annualreport2013 http://www.mda.gov.sg/AboutUs/annualreport2013 Media convergence is changing the way content is being delivered and consumed. In this interactive showcase, MDA together with our industry partners and community share the opportunities and challenges this trend presents, and how we are telling Singapore’s stories on both traditional and new media platforms. Mr. Koh Boon Hwee Mrs. Carmee Lim Mr. Chris Tan Ms. Adeline Foo Ms. Jocelyn Little Ms. Suzie Wang Chairman Vice-Chairperson Assistant Director (Industry Operations) Author Managing Director Vice President Media Convergence Review (MCR) Panel Media Literacy Council Media Development Authority The Diary of Amos Lee Beach House Pictures Non-Linear Production Singapore MediaCorp TV Singapore Pte. Ltd. One of our We work closely MDA is exploring Media convergence The key challenge In MediaCorp, recommendations is to with the various how best to implement has brought opportunities posed by Media the fundamentals to make more consistent community groups and the recommendations for writers like me. When Convergence is that telling a good story the content and schools on a series of proposed by the MCR I write a story I actually we can no longer rely have not changed licensing framework initiatives to promote Panel such as providing think of the platforms on traditional broadcast but with the rise of across all platforms, responsible digital incentives to encourage that children will be platforms as a single Media Convergence, including emerging citizenship. more local content interested in... funding source. media consumption is ones. development. We must be creative in becoming increasingly the way we source for non-linear in nature. our budget and deliver the content. ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013 ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013 Media Convergence 6 7 Media Convergence MISSION VISION The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), a statutory board under the In developing the media sector, MDA is guided by our vision “Compelling Content, Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI), promotes and regulates the media Connected Society, Caring Organisation” where the power of stories, well told, will move sector so as to contribute towards economic growth and help foster a cohesive and our spirit to connect with one another to create an industry that is able to hold its own inclusive society. against the world’s best. To ensure a globally competitive Singapore media sector, MDA invests in: • Enhancing the innovative capacity of the media sector; • Developing competitive media infrastructure; • Nurturing quality manpower; • Supporting sustainable enterprise development; and CORE VALUES • Enabling Singapore media to go global. These core values shape MDA’s culture and guide us in our work: At the same time, MDA formulates clear and consistent regulatory policies, based on these guiding principles: • Integrity • To foster a pro-business environment for industry players; • Care & Respect • To ensure fair market conduct and effective competition; • Professionalism • To safeguard consumers’ interests; • To increase media choices for consumers; • Innovativeness • To uphold social values in tandem with societal expectations; and • To foster a cohesive and inclusive society through quality content with wide reach and impact while promoting nation-building. ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013 ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013 Media Convergence 8 9 Media Convergence Scan this QR Code CHAIRMAN’S to view all trailers in Employment in the media sector grew 4.4 per cent to reach While the landscape is changing, the lynchpin of the media this section. 74,100, while nominal value-added per worker increased by sector continues to be the talent that makes our stories and 6.5 per cent to reach S$100,2001. content possible. This remains an important component of MESSAGE MDA’s industry development approach. Our industry development efforts have embraced the It wasn’t too long ago that I started off my mornings with the Media convergence and digital distribution are posing new changes and our funding framework has been refined to In this respect, MDA continues to provide grants to media scent of coffee and freshly-minted newspapers. Fast forward challenges for regulators while creating new opportunities for encourage content providers to create and distribute content talent to improve their skills and productivity. In July 2012, to today, the ink stains on my fingers from my daily news the media industry. through both traditional and emerging platforms. MDA enhanced the Talent Assistance Scheme with the reading habits have been replaced by fingerprint smudges on introduction of two new components – a Training Allowance my iPad’s glossy screen. Our regulations, which were drawn up in the age of what we and an Enhanced Apprenticeship. The former provides now call “traditional” media platforms, will need to evolve to training allowances for freelancers while the latter supports This change in media consumption habits took only a few keep pace with the changing landscape. At the same time, experienced media practitioners with opportunities for work years, and has taken the world by storm. This rapid shift media players should ride the digital wave and embrace the Beach House Pictures attachments. These new initiatives were made possible with in consumer behaviour is primarily driven by the increasing possibilities it can create. Looking back at the past year, I’m shared videos and the support from the National Productivity and Continuing digitisation of media content, pervasive high-speed heartened to say we made good progress on both fronts. images of Hidden Cities Extreme with Education Council. broadband connectivity and the proliferation of Internet- viewers on social media enabled mobile devices. Media content which used to reside In 2011, the nominal value-added of the media sector rose to platforms. 2012 was also a great year for local film talent. Homegrown on disparate platforms has now converged on the Internet. S$7.4 billion, a strong increase of 11.1 per cent from 2010. director Jack Neo’s Ah Boys to Men set the record as the top-grossing local movie of all time, earning S$6.2 million 2011 EMPLOYMENT IN THE MEDIA SECTOR following its 13-week run. The sequel, Ah Boys to Men 2 which hit local screens in February 2013, did even better 96°C Café was first and garnered almost S$8 million in box office takings as shown on XinMSN at March 2013. The two films which were supported by before continuing its run on Free-to-air TV. MDA’s Production Assistance grant scheme were also sold to 2011 NOMINAL VALUE-ADDED Malaysia and Taiwan. In the year of review, MDA supported 965 projects with S$16.28 million in grants across the various media sectors. Some of the projects funded made use of new media platforms such as Facebook to engage and interact with viewers. For instance, Beach House Pictures’ Hidden Cities 2011 NOMINAL VALUE-ADDED PER WORKER Extreme went beyond the traditional television (TV) platform Ah Boys to Men 1 & 2 to engage viewers on social media platforms by sharing videos, earned a total of S$14.2 million, setting a record Mr. Niam Chiang Meng images and upcoming episodes. MediaCorp’s 96°C Café was at the local box office. Chairman first shown online on the XinMSN portal before continuing its Media Development Authority Singapore run as a 20-episode series on free-to-air (FTA) TV. 1Source: Department of Statistics and Economic Development Board ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013 Media Convergence 10 11 Media Convergence Local content and Singapore stories continue to be told TV broadcasting also reached a new milestone in 2012 University, and comprising 11 distinguished individuals, In terms of online engagement, MDA continues to be through our Public Service Broadcast (PSB) programmes. with Singapore announcing plans to move towards digital submitted their report to the Government on tackling the active in the social media sphere through platforms such To keep pace with shifting viewer habits, the Government broadcasting using the Digital Video Broadcasting – Second regulatory challenges arising from media convergence. The as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, sharing quality local announced a five-year budget of S$630 million for PSB in Generation Terrestrial (DVB-T2) standard. In preparation for objectives of the review are to support industry growth, content and engaging with the public. MDA’s staff also gave July 2012. The funding boost is also aimed at enhancing the transition to digital TV, MDA finalised and published empower and protect consumers, and foster a cohesive back to society. Our volunteer group, the Care Connexion, the quality of programmes on FTA-TV and expanding the the DVB-T2 receiver specifications and worked with and inclusive society. MDA is now exploring how best to participated in more than 500 hours of community service support of PSB to non-FTA local platforms such as Internet manufacturers and suppliers to bring in DVB-T2 compatible implement the recommendations. activities in 2012. TV and pay-TV. equipment so that consumers can switch over early when MediaCorp begins broadcasting its channels digitally at the To help media players stay competitive, MDA also paved The year in review has been a fruitful one with local On 8 March 2013, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for end of 2013.