By Lai Han-Wei
$10.5m funding for 23 projects
Industry players will be awarded S$10.5 million for some 23 projects that are expected to propel the local interactive digital media (IDM) sector to the next level and change how we consume content in the near future.
Selected from 156 proposals through the Future of Media Calls for Proposals last year, these projects are expected to commit close to S$50 million of total investment in Singapore and create 200 new jobs over the next two years.
The Future of Media initiative envisions to catalyse growth in the IDM sector by clustering our industry to create leading positions in targeted areas to leverage on each other to create a collective vision and strength to shape the media landscape.
Through this initiative, MDA has also marshalled five groups of partner networks bringing together more than 160 companies including large media companies and start-ups to collaborate on the projects and explore strategies on how best to expand their footprints into high growth regions in Asia such as China.
Interestingly, the Future of Media initiative has spurred digital media companies to move beyond the media sector and develop projects to embed IDM into other sectors of the economy such as healthcare and education. For example, ST Electronics will be creating virtual 3D environments for stroke patient rehabilitation and cognitive study of dementia patients while the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language is working with publishing partners such as Pearson and Wholetree to roll out interactive media applications to facilitate Chinese language learning.
Such positive outcome will further enhance and consolidate Singapore's position as the preferred place for research and development in IDM.
Soon, you won't have to go to a cinema to get your fix of 3-D. -- PHOTO: AFP
SOON, you won't have to go to a cinema to get your fix of 3-D.
Singaporean TV buffs will be able to enjoy the next-generation of entertainment with a range of initiatives to develop new services and experiences for consumers.
These include the start of a 3-D TV trial across multiple platforms, and funding for innovative industry projects that are expected to change the way media and entertainment are consumed in future.
The 3-D TV trial, which kicks off on Tuesday, will start with terrestrial TV, cable TV and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) in partnership with MediaCorp, Starhub and SingTel. As part of the initiatives, this year's National Day Parade will be recorded in 3-D. In addition to the broadcasters, technology partners such as Panasonic, Ross Video, and Evertz will also join in the trial.
Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Mr Lui Tuck Yew said: 'The trial will be a stepping stone to help these companies bring a commercially-viable and superior media experience to Singaporeans. In support of this, the Media Development Authority of Singapore will also facilitate the trial and aid development of content, talent and media services'.
The trial partners will test their transmission signals on different platforms, and address technical challenges in the delivery of 3-D content to homes. Service providers will also be able to explore viable business opportunities as they harness 3-D technology, which the MDA hopes will provide consumers with 'wider choices and better quality'.
MDA will also launch a S$5 million fund to facilitate the trial and drive the development of content, talent and media services in the area of 3-D. Depending on the progress of the trial, the broadcasters may choose to extend the trial to include consumers.
Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA, said: 'The success of 3-D movies and advances in digital technology has sparked strong interest in 3-D developments worldwide. With the 3-D TV trial laying the groundwork to bring 3-D experience to homes, Singapore is once again harnessing the latest digital technology to develop and deploy cutting-edge media services'.
In addition to the 3-D trial, plans are underway to develop a prototype of the future Mediapolis@one-north.
Known as Mediapolis Phase Zero, the 16,000 sqm interim space which is expected to be ready for occupancy by first quarter of 2011, will cater primarily to the incubation of start-ups as well as test-bedding and prototyping of new, innovative concepts in the various media sectors including interactive digital media, film and broadcast
