SPH receives five-year licence from MDA

Singapore - Singapore Press Holdings has obtained a five-year Niche TV Licence from the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) in preparation for its launch of Razor TV, an interactive web television service mainly focused on local content.

Over a real-time interactive platform, Razor TV will offer both live and video-on-demand programmes. This platform will consolidate its English language digital operations - AsiaOne, Stomp and The Straits Times Razor TV. Marketing reported of its impending launch on 22 February 2008.

Hosted by MDA, the Interactive Digital Media Research and Development Programme Office (IDMPO) also awarded a developer grant for the development of SPH's Razor TV interactive media technology. The core technology of Razor TV was developed in partnership with Singapore technology company Ufinity.

"MDA encourages traditional media players such as SPH to reach out and engage our increasingly Internet and technology-savvy viewers in Singapore with exciting and interactive content through new media broadcasting platforms such as IPTV and participative Web 2.0 technologies, " said Ling Pek Ling, director, Media Policy, MDA.

The Niche Subscription TV Licence was introduced by MDA in 2007. There are currently eight Nationwide and Niche commercial and trial IPTV/VOD service providers.