SCREEN (TV)

This scheme aims to encourage the production and distribution of original, high quality Madeby- Singapore content for international markets, as well as provides Singapore media content production companies with opportunities to maximize the commercial value of their properties.

Under this scheme, the Media Development Authority will co-invest, together with local media content production companies, and other industry partners and investors, in properties that present opportunities for global reach, and returns, under a co-sharing of rights and revenues arrangement.

The MDA’s level of participation is dependent on the scale, scope and merits of the project.

Eligibility Criteria

Co-investment projects usually involves two or more parties, including international partners whereby a significant and/or meaningful level of activities in development, pre-production, production and/or post-production are undertaken by Singapore. The distribution activities shall be undertaken by independent agents jointly-appointed by the co-investors in the projects.

The applicant must be a legal entity (branch office, private, or public company) registered and incorporated in Singapore with at least 30% local shareholding by Singaporeans/Singapore Permanent Residents and with central management and control in Singapore. Applying companies must be prepared to co-invest and have an ownership stake in the project.

How to apply

Eligible TV production companies (inclusive of broadcasters’ in-house production units) can submit project proposals to MDA for consideration all year round. Companies shall need to submit the application form dulycompleted, together with the following documents and/or materials to support the evaluation of the proposals:

a. ACRA business profile

b. financial statements of the company for the past 3 to 5 years

c. synopsis, storyline, treatment, character bible, draft script for first episode

d. fully-itemised production budget, covering above-the-line, production and postproduction

e. production schedule

f. track record, experience and profiles of above-the-line team, including director, producer, writer, lead cast, etc

g. level of financial commitment from producer, investors, broadcasters and/or distributors

h. level of distribution secured on free-to-air TV, pay TV, other broadcast platforms, or a combination

i. written commitment(s) from investors, broadcasters and/or distributors

j. anticipated sales and returns on investment

Processing

All proposals submitted shall be assessed on their creative merits, financial returns, as well as economic contributions to Singapore. Greater consideration will be given to projects that involve international partners and have meaningful Singapore involvement, for instance where a significant amount of above-the-line work is carried out by Singaporeans/Singapore Permanent Residents.

Specifically, the evaluation shall cover content originality and creativity, producer’s capacity to deliver, project’s exportability and exploitability, value-added aspects and economic spin-offs like direct investment, business spending, job creation, skills/technology upscaling, intellectual property, new/established partners, and international recognition of Singapore as an international co-producing partner, etc.

Within 6 - 8 weeks upon receipt of the duly completed application form and all required supporting documents, MDA will inform applicant if application has been successful.

Depending on the nature and length of the project, the applicant must submit the completed production to the MDA within the stipulated time frame.

Each project shall be bound by a contractual agreement between the MDA, the company and any third parties. This means that a company wishing to effect any changes will need to seek the prior approval of all parties.

Payment

The co-investment monies will be disbursed to the applicant on a milestone basis. Applicants must submit to the MDA an electronic invoice, along with the respective deliverables at each drawdown date. At the end of the project, the applicant must also submit an audited financial statement for verification. Please see the following details regarding this:

a. A drawdown schedule will be formulated, detailing how the co-investment monies are disbursed from milestone to milestone.

b. As a pre-requisite for each drawdown, the MDA must be satisfied with the respective deliverables to be submitted by the applicant.

c. The final drawdown can only be made after MDA’s acceptance of the final deliverables, which includes verification of the audited statement by the MDA.

Termination of Project

In the event that the applicant decides to terminate its project, the applicant will have to compensate the MDA by returning the entire sum that had been drawn hitherto.

For enquiries and/or submissions, please contact:

Ms Loh Shimin
Broadcast & Music
Tel: (65) 9726 3087
Fax: (65) 6577 3700
Email: loh_shimin@mda.gov.sg

NOTE: The MDA reserves the right to add, remove or modify any part of this document without any compensation to the applicant.

Click here to download the SCREEN (TV) Application Guidelines.

Click here to download the SCREEN (TV) Application Form.