Online directory of digital content from legitimate sources launched in Singapore

The pilot directory is available to all at finddigitaltv.com and allows users to search for content by genre or device, as well as search for content that is free.

It comes alongside the launch of a CASBAA and Olswang report showing multi-screen, multi-platform offerings of legitimate programming are rapidly multiplying in Singapore.

Digital, Legal and Anywhere – TV in Singapore Today showed the majority are coming from established content providers and pay-TV platforms, such as StarHub and SingTel’s mio TV.

“Viewers are increasingly consuming TV content in new and non-traditional ways, prompted by increasing technology ownership and the proliferation of internet connected devices,” said John Medeiros, chief policy officer, CASBAA. “Singapore’s combination of high broadband connectivity, affluence and multi-lingual population creates a particularly ripe environment for such new content choices.”

But the report said a key challenge is the prevalence of Singaporean consumers using illegitimate video services.

It noted that although Singapore has a small population, it has the highest per capita incidence of peer-to-peer infringement of English-language TV shows in the Asia-Pacific region.

This piracy makes it difficult for new content players to enter the market, and for existing players to justify investments in new platforms, it said.

Another issue is the regulatory 'tilted playing field' that, according to the report authors, favours foreign and illegitimate offerings over domestic options.

In particular, domestic providers need to comply with various censorship rules which mean that, even when consumers can obtain the same content at the same time from Singapore-based providers, they are choosing to access uncut versions through other sources.

In researching the report, Olswang found that the offerings were far more prolific and advanced than many were aware. A key problem, however, appeared to be consumer awareness. And the directory is therefore hoped to be a first step toward addressing this problem.

"We hope that Singaporean consumers will be pleasantly surprised at the variety and richness of legitimate services that are now available" said Elle Todd, partner, Olswang.