StarHub becomes SG's next public service broadcaster

StarHub has been given up to SG$6 million by the Media Development Authority to screen as much as 100 hours of public service broadcast (PSB) programmes and content on its network.These programmes are set to be aired in 2014 and traditionally MediaCorp was the only broadcaster who was able to create PSB content under the MDA scheme. This is the first time a first pay-TV operator in Singapore is able to get to commission and produce such content, said StarHub.StarHub also said that it will be working with production companies to produce high-quality content that will "push the envelope" in terms of creativity.Through the partnership, the reach of PSB content can now span across multiple broadcast platforms and beyond Free-To-Air TV.This funding comes under the MDA Public Service Broadcast Contestable Funds Scheme, which was launched in July 2012.StarHub will be conducting a briefing for production companies for the commissioning of original programming. The briefing will be held at StarHub Green on 11 November 2013 and each proposal will be evaluated on criteria such as creativity, audience appeal, and credentials of the production company and its team, said statement.Content produced under the scheme will be aired on two of StarHub’s self-packaged channels, Chinese channel E City and sport-centric channel SuperSports Arena. To enable viewers to catch the programmes on the go, the content will also be made available on StarHub’s multi-screen solution, TV Anywhere.“Being a local company, StarHub has always strived to bring content closer to Singapore viewers not only by offering programmes across multiple platforms and with shorter telecast windows, but also to produce localised content that strikes a chord with them,” Lee Soo Hui, head of media business unit, StarHub said.Yeo Chun Cheng, assistant chief executive officer (Industry), MDA urged local production houses to createfresh formats that "will put PSB programmes in a different light".