Singapore Media Festival returns from 28 November 2024

Source: IMDA. From left: Nizar Salman, Head of Events at NAS Summit; Rurusama, Singapore cosplayer and content creator; Veronica Yong, Director, Business Development and Marketing at IMDA; Yvonne Tang, Cluster Director for Media Industry Cluster at IMDA; Phillson Rajan, Head of Labs, Beach House Pictures; Sylvia Chan, travel content creator; Joyce Chua, Senior Project Manager, Asia TV and Forum & Market; Jeremy Chua, GM, Singapore International Film Festival; Paul Hendricks, Content and Marketing Manager, Singapore Comic Con.

The 11th Singapore Media Festival (SMF) will run from 28 November - 8 December 2024 with films and collaborations across its partner events: the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), Singapore Comic Con (SGCC), and Nas Summit Asia. Over 55,000 media professionals, leaders, talents, and consumers are expected to gather in Singapore to experience media innovations, forge deals, and present Singapore’s content.

Hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the festival unites the best of Singapore’s film, TV and our new media talent. More than 100 captivating films from 45 countries featuring fresh voices and emerging themes will be screened during SGIFF, along with a special celebration of talent from Singapore and around the globe. Building on the S$3.04 B worth of deals and partnerships generated from the festival since its inception, Singapore has been and continues to be Asia’s anchor platform to discover meaningful collaborations and expert insights with industry giants. 

In recent years, the festival has provided opportunities for new media content creators and creative professionals to learn and also present their work. At Nas Summit Asia, content creators can attend over 20 sessions by creatives and Asia-based personalities like Malaysian actor and comedian Jaspers Lai and Singaporean photographer Smile with Jeryl. 

Pop culture enthusiasts will also get to interact with more than 30 comic book artists, toy creators, entertainers and more at SGCC, such as Clio Award-winning illustrator Yuko Shimizu and Singaporean cosplayer Rurusama. 

Yvonne Tang, Cluster Director, Media Industry Cluster, IMDA, said: “Asia’s, and Singapore’s media industry in particular, have been taking the world stage by storm - staying relevant and even thrive in the fast-changing landscape. The Singapore Media Festival is a great platform for Asia’s creative talent to congregate, mingle and forge new partnerships and deals. 

"As the world continues to be excited by Asian storytelling and stories, we are here to provide the spark for people to come together to collaborate and innovate. This annual festival also highlights Singapore’s strength as a hub for world-class content and impactful collaborations, shaping the future of Asia’s media industry for a global audience.” 

This year, attendees can look forward to: 

SGIFF: Fresh voices and emerging narratives

The 35th SGIFF returns from 28 November to 8 December with over 100 films across 45 countries. SGIFF will present over 25 Singaporean and made-with-Singapore films, including Spirit World by Eric Khoo starring Catherine Deneuve, Yutaka Takenouchi and Masaaki Sakai, the award-winning Don’t’ Cry, Butterfly and historical drama-meets-monster film, Orang Ikan. 

The festival will open with psychological thriller Stranger Eyes, by Singaporean filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua. Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng, who plays the protagonist in the film, will receive the SGIFF Cinema Icon Award, which recognises an Asian actor who has made an indelible mark as a creative force in film. 

“SGIFF has always been a beacon for diverse narratives and a home for uniquely Asian perspectives, all while engaging with the global film community. As we mark our 35th anniversary this year, we are dedicated to expanding that legacy, further cementing the festival’s role as a key platform for creatives, while continuing to champion voices from Singapore and around the region,” said Thong Kay Wee, Programme Director of SGIFF. 

SGCC: A blend of pop culture and cutting-edge technology

Asian and Western pop culture will assemble to turn imagination into reality at SGCC on 7 to 8 December. Pop culture enthusiasts can meet award-winning creatives like Hong Kong manhua (cartoon) artist Khoo Fuk-lung and Japan's Shimizu. Other highlights include: 

○ SGCC’s new ambassador, local cosplayer Rurusama will present a fan experience powered by 3D, augmented reality and artificial intelligence technology in collaboration with True Blue Production. 

○ Toy collectors can also look forward to the global premiere of exclusive merchandise such as: 

■  Mighty Jaxx’s exclusive Luffy XXRAY One Piece Luffy Wanted Series Treasure Gold Edition merchandise 

■ The Life Saving Figurines, a limited-edition series created in partnership with the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Accenture. 

○ There will be special food and beverage (F&B) offerings from Brewerkz, Playmade, and Beardpapa. 

○ Four new made-with-Singapore games will make their debut showcase at SGCC. These IMDA-supported titles, developed by local studios, offer uniquely Singaporean gameplay. They are: 

- A Stitch in Time by Crimson Forge

- Commonwealth by Lambdamu Games

- Find Lah! by The Doodle People, and 

- Roachman by Andas Productions. 

Additionally, gamers can look forward to a Mobile Legends community challenge organised by Mediacorp. 

"It's always exciting to bring SGCC and Creators Con to the fans. With all the content, exclusives, brands, artists and guests this year, it's the biggest SGCC yet," said Michelle Lim, CEO and Founder Generation Experience.

ATF: Discussions and pitches

Celebrating its 25th edition this year, the ATF will be held from 3 to 6 December 2024. The forum gathers industry leaders from media giants like Warner Bros. Discovery, TVING, Youku, Tencent, IMAX, and more to share their insights on the industry’s future challenges and opportunities at the ATF Leaders Dialogue and conference tracks. 

Six in-development pitches, the highest number ever at ATF, will also take place as aspiring productions vie for a chance to develop content focused on Asian-centric storytelling, revolutionary business models, and more. 

"If it’s Asia, it’s ATF – ATF is a proven trade market and conference with a curated array of networking events, content showcases, and global partnership programmes to facilitate opportunities for the next killer content. With Asia playing a bigger role on the global stage of entertainment, we look forward to connecting business executives and creators across the ecosystem to celebrate and discover the best of storytelling,” said Yeow Hui Leng, Group Project Director, Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), RX Global (Singapore).

Nas Summit Asia: Expand new media storytelling skills

The Nas Summit Asia is back on 30 November to 1 December as one of Asia’s biggest creator events, with over 1,000 attendees and 150 companies expected to attend. Asian content creators Lai, Smile with Jeryl, and Darshen K will be speaking. Session formats include quick-fire networking or “speed dating”, as well as the “roast”, where creators workshop content with candid but humorous feedback.

Rendezvous in Macau: Lisboa Culinary Adventure showcases 10 star-rated dishes

SJM Resorts, in partnership with TVB, has premiered the gourmet series Rendezvous in Macau: Lisboa Culinary Adventure. The series began airing on 7 September on the Jade Channel. 

Ten limited-edition dishes, created specifically for the show, will be available at selected SJM restaurants. In addition, SJM will share the stories behind the dishes through a series of two-minute Macau’s Top Ten Star-Rated Dishes segments, airing from 9 to 20 September on Jade channel, TVB Plus, and TVB News. 

The creations will be showcased in the eight SJM restaurants until 31 October, with some only available till 20 September. 

The dishes include: 

Robuchon au Dôme, tomato ‘millefeuille’, crabmeat, avocado and green apple

Designed in the 1980s by renowned three-Michelin-starred chef Joël Robuchon, this summer dish features the most tender parts from whole Alaskan king crabs, artfully sliced; air-flown Japanese tomatoes, along with the finest avocados, green apples, and watercress. 

These ingredients are skillfully layered into a visually-stunning culinary masterpiece. 

*Available until 20 September 

Mesa by José Avillez, Carabineiro, pork & prawn wantan, fisherman’s sauce 

A lightly-grilled red carabinero prawn stars in a contemporary take on the Cantonese wantan. The ensemble is completed with a fisherman’s broth made from a base of blue lobster, lobster, fresh shrimp, and red carabinero shrimp paste.

Mesa by José Avillez, Crispy suckling pig, coriander, orange scent 

Chef Avillez presents a contemporary twist on the classic Portuguese family dish—roast suckling pig. The suckling pig is deboned and roasted, then layered with skin alternating with the meat to create a sandwich.

Zuicho, Shrimp & zucchini flower tempura

The chef selects fresh zucchini blossoms to envelope plump, fatty shrimp meat from Japan. The ingredients are then coated in tempura batter, then fried to perfection. The dish is completed with a plum-based sauce and shrimp salt. 

*Available until 20 September

Palace Garden, Hot and sour fish bisque with imperial bird’s nest

This dish is a contemporary twist on the century-old Taishi partridge bisque, a staple of Tai Shi cuisine. The chef selects a trio of fresh catches—carp, yellow croaker, and Macau sole— to craft a rich broth, replacing rice grain with bird’s nest. 

Wild chili peppers from Yunnan infuse the soup with a bold, spicy and sour profile. The dish is complete with a delicate-prepared fish meatball. 

Taishi is a branch of Cantonese cuisine.

Hua Ting, Braised abalone and pork belly, tuber melanosporum (black truffle)

Dongpo pork is prepared using premium locally-sourced pork belly. It is stewed for eight hours with a blend of seasonings, then infused with abalone and black truffle. The meat is paired with pearl rice.

The 8, Flambé beggar cod fish

This dish is a novel rendition of the traditional Chinese beggar chicken, featuring fatty Norwegian silver cod brought to sear while encased in caul fat. The cod is then combined with Macau-style bacalhau and Yunnanese large white radish, among other ingredients, all wrapped in lotus leaves and encased in a handmade pastry shell for baking. Bacalhau refers to dried and salted cod.

Don Alfonso 1890, Grandfather’s Ernesto strascinati, traditional cannelloni pasta rolls filled with mozzarella cheese, oxtail and San Marzano tomato sauce

This dish, a classic creation by Chef Alfonso first presented over 20 years ago at the Hotel Lisboa, features cannelloni pasta with oxtail ragù, draped in a rich organic San Marzano tomato sauce from tomatos grown on the Le Peracciole farm in Ponta Campanella. Complemented by a creamy mozzarella and basil sauce, the dish perfectly blends traditional Italian cuisine with the unique flavours of Macau. Strascinati is a particular type of pasta.

Source: SJM. Top: La Scala del Palazzo,
fava di cacao ripieni al serradura.
Bottom: La Scala del Palazzo,
Il cannoncino, fondant egg tart &
cinnamon gelato.

La Scala del Palazzo, Il cannoncino, fondant egg tart & cinnamon gelato

The chef has introduced a unique twist on Italy’s iconic dessert, cannoli, by substituting the traditional vanilla cream filling with the flavours of Macau’s pastel de nata (Portuguese egg custard tart). This creative fusion is paired with cinnamon gelato. 

La Scala del Palazzo, Fava di cacao ripieni al serradura

Inspired by Macau’s beloved serradura, this dish is presented in the form of a jewellery box. The outer shell is crafted from premium French chocolate, molded into the shape of a cocoa bean. There is a filling of milk mousse and orange sorbet. The chocolate is complemented by a vanilla-orange cookie. 

Serradura or Macau pudding consists of Marie biscuits and whipped cream.

Details

For bookings or questions contact +853 8881 1800 or visit https://qr.sjm.mo/59m37t

Philips MiniLed Series Android TVs launch in Singapore

Source: TP Vision. The 75PML9506 Android TV.

 

The Philips 9500 series MiniLed models are now available in Singapore. The new displays feature MiniLed and quantum dot technology for better contrast and greater colour.

These displays are available in 75" and 65" screen sizes. Each 4K UHD high dynamic range (HDR) display runs on a Philips P5 processor with artificial intelligence (AI). Dolby's premium sound and video formats, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, further enhance the look and sound for HDR content.

Everything looks more vivid thanks to MiniLed technology. With MiniLed, over a thousand intelligent backlight zones are independently dimmed or brightened to enable pin-sharp contrast and real depth. Additional action comes with four-sided Ambilight - intelligent LEDs around the edge of the TV respond to on-screen action and emit an immersive glow.

Users enjoy the convenience of DTS Play-Fi wireless audio streaming technology, which enables compatible products to be controlled via Wi-Fi while streaming music simultaneously. They can also tailor their listening experience with Mimi Sound Personalization. Unique hearing profiles are created after taking a short hearing test on an iOS or Android device, then synched with the displays via QR code.

The standard RAM storage in the new Philips TVs is 4 GB, up from 3 GB previously. The internal memory for apps, saved files, and other software functions has also doubled, from 16 GB to 32 GB. The memory expansion eliminates delays in streaming content that occur due to insufficient memory, and speeds up the start-up process.

The Philips MiniLed series has a 120 Hz native display panel and supports technologies such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). It comes with AMD FreeSync Premium technology, the latest HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM). ALLM automatically switches to ultra-low latency settings when gaming begins.

The new Philips Android TVs can be voice-controlled. Users can talk to Google Assistant, and ask Alexa-compatible devices to control the display.

Details

Manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRPs)

75” PML9506 - S$7,399

65” PML9506 - S$4,599

75” PML9516 - S$7,399

65” PML9516 - S$4,699

New travel destinations on the table from Wehajat Safar

Source: Alaraby 2. Wehajat Safar goes round the world.

A new travel series promises to take Arab audiences to new destinations and unique experiences. Wejahat Safar hosts Christelle Saade and Abdulrahman Algamili share their adventures from Azerbaijan to Turkey, Georgia, Oman, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon.

Broadcast on Alaraby 2, a multiplatform entertainment and cultural channel based in Doha, Wejahat Safar began on January 5 and traverses Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, Cappadocia in Turkey, and Tbilisi, the capital and the largest city of Georgia among others. Episodes are broadcast on Wednesdays at 5:30 GMT, with 13 episodes in total.

"I'm interested in museums and cultural and historical landmarks, through which we discover a country's heritage and history, and the cultures and traditions of its people, said Saade.

"We will take audiences on unforgettable adventures, from one country to another to discover their civilisations, cultural and popular aspects, as well as their unique activities."

"I prefer experiences, getting to know others, and reading the history written on people's faces, in their lanes and alleys, and their simple customs," Algamili said.

"In popular markets and small cafes, I discover people, their customs and traditions, their legacies, and their traditional costumes. We promise the viewers visits to distinctive cities and interesting adventures."

Alarabi 2 frequencies are available on Nilesat 11258 H and Es'hailSat 11310 V, and through service providers Ooredoo, beIN, Vodafone - GigaTv, Cable Vision, Türksat KabloTV, or at www.alaraby.com/alaraby2 and on social media platforms.

Samsung's The Freestyle coming to Singapore

Source: Samsung. The Freestyle.

Samsung Electronics Singapore has launched The Freestyle, an all-new portable screen and entertainment device. The Freestyle offers first-of-its-kind technology and versatility that enables consumers to enjoy optimal viewing and entertainment wherever they go.

Aimed at Gen Z and Millennials and already sold out in other markets, The Freestyle is an 830 g smart TV that serves as a projector, smart speaker, and ambient lighting. Its adjustable cradle rotates up to 180 degrees, enabling users to display high-quality video anywhere without the need for a separate screen.

Easy setup; point and play

The Freestyle's design enables consumers to point, play and enjoy a large screen experience on a range of surfaces, from slanted walls, ceilings and outdoor surfaces. Even when the surface is skewed, the projector automatically adjusts the screen size, auto-focuses, and levels the image.

Big-screen magic; brilliant picture quality

The Freestyle can project screens ranging from 30" to 100" in Full High-Definition (FHD) resolution. It also gives users the flexibility to scale and adjust the screen in all directions with the capability to project content onto the ceiling without having to physically move the device.

On-the-go access to smart TV content

The Freestyle is integrated with the Samsung Smart TV feature, which has built-in streaming services, mirroring, and casting capabilities for Android and iOS mobile devices. This enables consumers to easily access streaming apps, listen to their favourite playlists, and use the Bixby voice assistant without manually uploading or connecting to other applications.

Powerful audio

The Freestyle has a dual passive radiator that delivers a clean and deeper bass without distortion as well as 360-degree sound radiation for cinema-quality sound. Furthermore, its 5-watt woofer disperses sound waves in all directions, creating a cinematic audio experience.

External battery compatible

The Freestyle allows you to roam freely due to its compatibility with external USB-connected battery banks of 50 W/20 V output or above. Users can plug and play anytime with the provided USB-C cable.

Ambient lighting

When not in use as a projector for streaming content, the Freestyle's ambient mode and translucent lens cap doubles as an ambient lighting effect. Users can choose patterns from lighting, prism, scenes or even their own photos.

Accessories

These include a hard case for outdoor usage and portability, as well as a flexible rubber cover available in three skin colours (Forest Green, Blossom Pink and Coyote Beige). An upcoming battery base will allow users to charge the device at any time.

Details:

The Freestyle will be officially launched on 23 February at the Samsung Online Store and at Samsung authorised retailers and their respective online stores.

The Freestyle will be available for preorder* online only at the Samsung Online Store, major consumer electronics & IT stores including Best Denki, Courts, Gain City, Harvey Norman and online e-commerce channels such as Lazada and Shopee.

Model	Colour	RRP
The Freestyle SP-LSP3BLAXXS	White	S$1,499

 

Product Specifications

The Freestyle
Size	104.2 x 172.8 x 95.2 mm
Weight	0.8 kg
Resolution	1,920 x 1,080 (FHD)
Screen size	30” to 100”
Brightness	550 LED (Lumens)
Sound	5 W
Projection angle	180⁰
Focus	Auto Keystone, Auto Focus, Auto Levelling
Operating system	Tizen
Voice assistant	Bixby
Others	Lens cap (Lighting effect) USB-C cable

*Customers who preorder The Freestyle will receive a free Mazer 65 W portable battery worth S$129. The gift is available while stocks last. Terms and conditions apply.

Ask LG ThinQ AI TVs, and Google Assistant will answer

LG Electronics (LG) has equipped its OLED and SUPER UHD TVs with the newly-introduced Google Assistant feature. 

Available on all LG ThinQ AI TV models, users are now able to use voice commands to access and search for information as well as check weather forecasts, all while enjoying their favourite TV shows. 

In the past, users would only have been able to execute simple voice commands to switch channels or adjust the volume.

They can search for specific content by making a verbal request through the TV’s remote control, such as “show me romantic comedy movies on Netflix” or “show me yoga videos”. They can also get help to manage daily tasks by scheduling calendar events, or pull out specific photo albums in their Google Drive gallery to share. Users can even request food, retail and hangout recommendations, addresses and contact information. 

“LG continues to improve the TV experience at home with greater offerings like the addition of the Google Assistant feature,” says Hosik Kim, Product Director of LG Home Entertainment. “Beyond entertainment, consumers can now conveniently use LG AI ThinQ TVs to manage content, plan calendar events, access files and search for information from a single platform.”

TV boxes popular in Thailand, still available in Singapore

Fifteen percent of Singaporean consumers use a TV box which can be used to stream pirated television and video content. These TV boxes, also known as illicit streaming devices (ISDs), allow users to access hundreds of pirated television channels and video-on-demand content, usually with a low annual fee. TV boxes often come preloaded with pirated applications allowing 'plug-and-play' access to pirated content.

The survey found that MyIPTV, UBTV, WorldTV, MoonHD, and Infinity TV were some of the most popular illegal applications amongst Singapore consumers.

The survey, commissioned by the Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and conducted by YouGov, also highlights the detrimental effects of streaming piracy on legitimate subscription video services. Of the 15% of consumers who purchased a TV box for free streaming, more than one-quarter (28%) asserted that they had cancelled their subscriptions to a Singaporean-based online video service as a direct consequence of owning an ISD. Nearly one in five (18%) Singaporean users in the same segment have abandoned international subscription services in favour of ISD purchases.

Of those Singapore consumers who own an ISD, more than half of respondents (62%) claim to have purchased their illicit streaming device from two of the largest Southeast Asia-based e-commerce stores*. More than one-fifth of ISD owners (21%) say they acquired their devices via one of the world’s most popular social media platforms**. Over one-third (38%) of ISD owners said they purchased their pirate TV box from IT exhibitions or physical retail stores in Singapore.

Neil Gane, GM, CAP said, “The overt availability of ISDs in Singaporean malls and IT exhibitions is a major concern for the content industry. Unfortunately, there is no one silver bullet to deterring piracy due to the fragmented nature of the ecosystem. What is required is an holistic solution to include enforcement, cooperation with technology platforms and intermediaries, disabling access to pirated content through effective site blocking and consumer outreach”.

In late November AVIA announced the landmark November 2 High Court injunction ordering Singapore’s Internet service providers to block access to popular illegal applications that are frequently preloaded on ISDs sold in Singapore.

As a consequence of these High Court orders, Gane added, “Consumers are wasting their money when purchasing new subscriptions to illegal applications when they find their ISD can no longer access live sports matches or their favourite TV shows. CAP will continue to prevent and disrupt illegal feeds of live sports, TV channels, and VOD content through judicial blocking orders against piracy applications. ISDs can never provide quality programming and a service guarantee.”

Singapore currently has over a dozen online legal services providing an array of live sports, TV channels and video-on-demand content at varying pricepoints.

In mid-November, AVIA released similar results for Thai consumers that revealed 45% of consumers use a TV box which can be used to stream pirated television and video content.

The survey found that Mango TV, HD Playbox and U Play are among the most popular pirate applications amongst Thai consumers.

Of the 45% of consumers who purchased a TV box or dongle for free streaming, more than two in three (69%) stated that they cancelled all or some of their subscription to legal pay TV services. Nearly a quarter (24%) said that they cancelled their subscriptions to a Thai-based online video service as a direct consequence of owning an ISD. International subscription services, which include pan-Asia online offerings, were impacted the most - nearly one in three (30%) Thai users have abandoned subscriptions in favour of ISD purchases.

Cancelling legitimate subscription services and replacing them with pirated content is risky, said Gane at the time of the announcement. 

"The damage that piracy does to the creative industries is without dispute. However, the damage done to consumers themselves, because of the nexus between content piracy and malware, is only beginning to be recognised. Piracy websites and applications typically have a 'click happy' user base, and, as such, are being used more and more as clickbait to distribute malware. Unfortunately the appetite for 'free' or cheap subscription pirated content blinkers users from the very real risks of malware infection".

Of consumers who own an ISD, about half of respondents (47%) claim to have purchased their ISD from two of the largest Southeast Asia-based e-commerce stores*. Close to one-third (31%) of ISD owners say they acquired their devices via one of the world's most popular social media platforms**.

In addition to the short-term problem of cancelled subscriptions is a longer-term problem. The survey found that ISDs are particularly favoured among 18- to 24-year-olds, with more than three in four (77%) cancelling legitimate subscription services as a result of owning ISDs. Forty percent of the cancellations were of international online subscriptions.

The Thai Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Commerce, who oversees the Copyright Act, commented that "to enhance the efficiency of enforcement action, the DIP has proposed the amendment of the Copyright Act by adding provisions on the manufacture, sale, import, or traffic into the country of devices or any parts or components of a device, for the purpose of circumventing a technological measure.

"These amendments were approved by the Cabinet on 16 October 2018 and will shortly be presented to the State Council. The amendments are explicitly targeted at the manufacture and distribution of pirated TV boxes. This is a crucial step to address the current piracy problem".

Sompan Charumilinda, Executive Vice Chairman at cable and satellite operator True Visions, listed a number of concerns. "First is the danger to consumers through the use of malware and spyware embedded in these illicit sites and applications. Second is that supporting these criminal enterprises does real damage to legitimate businesses that are struggling to survive. Third, it also undermines the Thailand 4.0 initiative and the country's aspiration to become counted among the world leaders in the new digital economy by showing Thailand to have made little progress in terms of its acceptance and tacit approval of these criminal networks.

"Consumers should care about piracy personally because of the harmful effects of malware and spyware, and also because of the damage that it does to our country. As a leading media company in Thailand we are happy to work with the Department of Intellectual Property, CAP and all relevant stakeholders to help continue to educate the public about these dangers," he said.

A growing concern from the anti-cybercrime community remains the nexus between online piracy and pernicious malware such as spyware, malware mining and ransomware. In September 2018, the European Union Intellectual Property Office released a report entitled Identification and Analysis of malware on selected suspected copyright infringing websites which found that most of the documented malware on piracy sites were Trojans or other malware which, when installed on an end-user’s, computer would cause “not only financial losses, but also theft of personal data and other risks of unwanted access and control”.

AVIA's Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) includes major video content creators and distributors in Asia. Members include: beIN Sports, Discovery, The Walt Disney Company, FOX Networks Group, HBO Asia, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Premier League, Turner Asia-Pacific, A&E Networks, Astro, BBC Worldwide, CANAL+, Cignal, La Liga, Media Partners Asia, National Basketball Association, PCCW Media, Singtel, Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia, TVB, True Visions, TV5MONDE, and Viacom International Media Networks.

Explore:

Piracy also affects software preloaded onto new PCs. Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about the Microsoft PC sweep in Asia.

*According to ecommerce^iq, the most popular e-commerce sites in Singapore are Qoo10, Lazada and Zalora, in that order. Zalora focuses on fashion items. Ecommerceiq said the most popular e-commerce sites in Thailand are Lazada, Shopee and JD, in that order.

**SimilarWeb has the most popular social networks in Singapore down as Facebook, Instagram and then Twitter. SimilarWeb lists the most popular social networks in Thailand as Facebook, Twitter and then Instagram, in that order.

LG Electronics launches the B8S 4K OLED TV

Source: LG. The LG B8S 4K OLED TV.

LG Electronics (LG), a best-selling OLED brand, continues to advance its position with the new LG B8S 4K OLED TV. Made in Korea, the B8S adds to the 2018 line-up of 4K OLED TVs, and packs powerful features of the OLED series such as α (Alpha) 7 processor, 4K Cinema HDR, and LG’s ThinQ Artificial Intelligence (AI).

LG’s α 7 processor provides true-to-life images filled with rich colours, sharpness and depth for more realism. Its precise dual-step noise reduction process reduces grain and banding noise, improving clarity and smoothness of pictures. The processor also augments colour performance thanks to the advanced mapping capabilities.

The TV builds on LG’s proprietary algorithm to provide better viewing. The LG B8S OLED TV also features 4K Cinema HDR, which adds support for Advanced HDR by Technicolor as well as other major HDR formats. The cinematic experience is further enhanced with the support of Dolby Atmos, which offers object-based surround sound.

LG’s ThinQ AI TV is powered by the 5th generation webOS TV operating system platform. It offers a launcher bar for easy access and switching between apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Toggle, LG Gallery, or other commonly accessed functions like the web browser or TV scheduler. The 2018 LG TVs also features the new ThinQ AI that delivers intelligent voice-activated control. Viewers can speak directly into the remote control to give voice commands and execute actions such as setting the TV timer, changing the picture mode without manually navigating the interface, or search for content recommendations.

“The new LG B8S OLED TV is equipped with the same technologies that make its predecessors so powerful,” said Hosik Kim, Product Director, LG Home Entertainment. “It is priced more affordably without compromising on the superior offerings of the LG OLED, making its technology more accessible than ever.”

Details:

Series		OLED B8
Sizes		65 & 55
Models		65”: OLED65B8STB 55”: OLED55B8STB
Display type	Screen type	OLED
	Screen size (inch)	65", 55"
	Resolution	3,840 x 2,160
	Backlight type	Self-lighting pixel
	Digital TV (DVB-T2)	Yes
	Toggle red button (HbbTV)	Yes
Picture quality	Picture master processor	α (Alpha) 7 intelligent processor
	High frame rate (HFR)	4K/2K HFR
	Pixel Dimming / Local Dimming	Pixel Dimming
	Wide colour gamut	Perfect Color
	Billion rich colours	Yes
	Colour enhancer	Adaptive Color Enhancer
	Colour accuracy (3D colour mapping)	True Color Accuracy
	Dynamic tone mapping	Enhanced Dynamic Tone Mapping
	Black enhancement	Perfect Black
	Luminance	Ultra Luminance Pro
	Depth enhancer (contrast)	Active Depth Enhancer
	Noise reduction	Dual Noise Reduction
	Sharpness enhancer	Frequency based
	Resolution upscaler	4K Upscaler
	HDR effecst (SDR to HDR)	Yes
	High dynamic range (HDR)	4K Cinema HDR
	Advanced HDR by Technicolor	Yes
	Technicolor Expert Mode	Yes
	Professional game TV	Yes
	Auto calibration	Yes
	HEVC decoder	4K@120P, 10 bit
	VP9 decoder	4K@60P, 10 bit
	SHVC decoder	4K@60P, 10 bit
Sound quality	Speaker system	2.0 Ch 20 W
	Dolby Atmos	Yes
	Surround mode	Dolby Surround/ OLED Surround
	One touch sound tuning	Yes
	Adaptive sound control	News/movies/music
	Audio upscaler	Yes
	Bluetooth audio player	Yes
	Wireless sound sync	Yes
	DTS decoder	DTS-HD
Smart features	Smart operating system	webOS
	Processor	Quad
	Magic remote control	Included
	Quick access	Yes
	Magic zoom	Live zoom + Focus zoom
	Magic zoom recording	Yes
	360 VR	Yes
	Mobile connection	iOS/ Android
	Magic link	Yes
	Intelligent voice recognition	Yes
	Gallery	Yes
	Cloud photos & videos	Yes
	LG Content Store (App Store)	Yes
	Musicplayer	Yes
	Web browser	Yes
Convenience	Multi-view	Yes
	Universal control capability	Yes
	Time machine (recording content)	Yes
	Analogue/ digital recording	Yes (external storage)
	Live Playback	RF /Composite
Connectivity	Wi-Fi built-in	Yes (802.11.ac)
	Smart sharing	DLNA/Miracast overlay / Wi-Fi Direct
	Mobile connections	Yes (LG TV Plus mobile app)
	Simplink (HDMI consumer electronics control [CEC])	Yes
Input & output	HDMI 2.0	1 rear, 3 side
	HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)	Yes
	USB 2.0	2 rear, 1 side
	RF-IN (antenna)	1
	Composite in	1
	Component in	1
	Digital audio out (optical)	1
	LAN (Ethernet)	1
	Headphone out	1
Power	Power supply (voltage, Hz)	AC 100-240V (50/60Hz)
	Standby Power consumption	0.5W↓
Accessories	Remote controller	Magic Remote
	Power cable	Yes
Wall mount	VESA size (HxV mm)	300 x 200
	LG bracket model (optional)	OLW480B
Dimension/ weight	Size with stand (WxHxD mm)	65”: 1,449 x 881 x 230 55”: 1,228 x 752 x 220
	Size without stand (WxHxD mm)	65”: 1,449 x 831 x 46.9 55”: 1,228 x 707 x 47
	Weight with stand (kg)	65”: 25.4 55”: 17.8
	Weight without stand (kg)	65”: 21.0 55”: 16.3
Availability		65”: Available now 55”: Available now
Price*		65”: S$6,399 55”: S$4,299

Singtel TV celebrates 10th birthday with free previews, promotions, and prizes

Source: Singtel. Mr and Mrs Chua Boon Kwee were gifted with a Samsung TV and two years of set top box rental for being one of the longest-tenured Singtel TV subscribers in Singapore.

Singtel TV is celebrating 10 years of entertainment this July to August with a lineup of free previews, exclusive offers and prizes. The anniversary celebrations coincide with Singapore’s National Day (August 9).

Singtel TV customers will be able to enjoy 10 days of free previews of over 150 channels on Singtel TV from 4 to 13 August. The previews enable Singtel TV customers to watch the latest blockbusters like Doctor Strange, Moana and The Monkey King 2; dramas and live sporting action on channels such as AXN, Disney Channel, FOX Movies, as well as Jia Le Channel and more. The free previews will also be available on Singtel TV GO.

Yuen Kuan Moon, CEO, Consumer Singapore, Singtel said, “We are delighted to celebrate 10 years of delivering exciting programmes to our customers. Singtel TV has significantly expanded its Pay-TV offerings in the last decade, extending over 250 topnotch channels, live streaming on Singtel TV GO, as well as introducing our video portal app, Singtel CAST.”

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Singtel TV will also offer a free three months’ subscription* without contract, for selected packs to the first 1,000 new or existing customers who sign up for a new pack. The offer includes Starter Packs like Family Starter, Jingxuan Starter, Kondattam Starter, as well as Add-on Packs including Movie+, World Sports+ and more.

From 14 August Singtel TV customers can further look forward to winning 10 prizes, including a hands-on experience driving a Formula 1 car at the Monza circuit in Italy, tickets to the 2017 Emmy Awards and VIP visits to Cartoon Network Studios in California, US.

In addition, Singtel rewarded its 10 longest-tenured Singtel TV subscribers with a complimentary Samsung 55" UHD Smart TV and two years’ free digital video recorder (DVR) set-top box rental. “When Singtel TV first started, programmes were quite limited but now it’s so good. Good choice and right choice!” shared Chua Boon Kwee, one of the recipients. “I hope to have more programmes for my wife and children, something family-oriented so that we can watch TV together.”

*Terms and conditions apply.

Singtel TV offers free previews, freebies with new signups

Singtel has come up with a number of goodies for its Singtel TV customers over the year-end holidays.

The company is providing the following channels free for existing Singtel TV customers till 2 January 2017:

On the Singtel TV set-top box:

· FOX Movies Premium (channel 414)
· FOX Action Movies (channel 408)
· FOX Family Movies (channel 406)
· Sundance Channel (channel 401)
· Thrill (channel 415)
· Turner Classic Movies (channel 420)

On Singtel TV GO (for both Singtel TV set-top box and catch-up channels):

· FOX Movies PLAY
· Sundance Channel (channel 401)
· Sundance Channel on Demand
· Thrill (channel 415)
· Thrill on Demand
· Turner Classic Movies (channel 420)

Other promotions* during this timeframe include subscriptions to the Cast mobile app, which allows users to stream K-pop and Asian entertainment content from a mobile device, anytime, anywhere. Sign up now to enjoy two months free of Viu Premium or any Cast packs (the usual price is S$4.90/month per pack)

Two free months of the Movies+ Pack are also available for signups to a 12-month contract with Singtel TV, valid till 3 January 2017.

The Singtel TV GO Plan 1 and DVR Set-Top Box bundle will also cost S$9.90/month till 3 January 2017.

*Terms and conditions apply.

IndianMoney.com develops more financial education content

IndianMoney.com, India's largest financial education company, has in association with Kannada news channel Suddi TV launched a series for personal finance education called Money Maathu (Money Talk). The eight to 10-minute episodes, of which 35 have been produced to date, aim to educate the public on various aspects of personal finance.

CS Sudheer, Founder and CEO of IndianMoney.com said, "This short programme will offer one quick and crisp dose of personal finance to the common man daily and (is) aimed at making them capable enough to make wise financial decisions."

IndianMoney.com has also launched a half-hour interactive TV programme, Dudde Doddappa (Money is Godfather) on personal finance during weekend prime times on Suddi TV, and aims to offer similar programmes in other Indian languages soon.

HD Korean movies on StarHub in January

StarHub TV customers will be the first in Asia to enjoy the latest Korean blockbusters and all-time favourite Korean movies in high definition (HD), round-the-clock. StarHub has announced that tvN Movies HD, Asia’s first dedicated Korean movie channel, is set to launch on StarHub TV (channel 818) on 11 January 2017. 

To enable greater convenience, the channel will also be available on demand as tvN Movies VOD HD. Customers can catch it anytime on StarHub TV Channel 819, or stream the On Demand Channel via StarHub Go, StarHub's online streaming service.

The new channel features Korean movies produced by CJ E&M, Korea’s largest production house, and other major players in the industry, across genres including action, comedy, drama, horror, romance and thrillers. Offering over 200 titles a year, viewers can also look forward to special late night screenings dedicated to horror, thriller and mature theme movies.

Lee Soo Hui, Head of Content & TV, StarHub, said, “We are glad to partner CJ E&M for the launch of tvN Movies and tvN Movies VOD, which will enable StarHub TV customers to be the first in Asia to catch the premiere of these two highly-anticipated channels. As the parent company of tvN network, CJ E&M is renowned for its quality movie productions and distributions. With over 200 titles a year, fans can get their fill of swoon-worthy K-idols or the latest blockbuster K-movies whether they are in the comfort of their living rooms or streaming on the go."

“The introduction of tvN Movies in Asia is a strategic move for CJ E&M to broaden its market reach by tapping on the rising trend of Korean movies, which is in high demand in the Southeast Asian region. Starting with Singapore, we expect to launch in other major Southeast Asian territories including Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Indonesia in 2017,” said Samey Lee, CEO of CJ E&M HK. “By launching the world’s first and only Korean Blockbuster channel with StarHub TV in Singapore, we hope to expand our service offerings and, at the same time, deliver a unique and sophisticated Korean home-cinema experience to StarHub TV customers.”

Upcoming titles on tvN Movies HD include:

A Violent Prosecutor, starring Hwang Jung-Min, Kang Dong-Won and Lee Sung-Min

A prosecution lawyer who has been framed and convicted for murder tries to clear his name and catch the real murderer from jail, with the help of a con artist.

Inside Men, starring Lee Byung-Hun, Jo Seung-Woo and Baek Yoon-Sik.

Based on the webtoon, The Insider, Inside Men is a political thriller which exposes corruption within the Korean society. A former political henchman seeks revenge when he was dropped by a politician. Meanwhile, an investigator tries to find proof of a connection between the two. 

Time Renegades, featuring Lim Soo-jung, Jo Jung-suk, and Lee Jin-wook. 

This thriller centres on a high school teacher in 1983 and a detective in 2015. They join forces through their dreams to change the perilous fate of the woman they both love, 32 years apart.

The Age of Shadows, starring Song Kang-ho and Gong Yoo.

In the 1920s, a group of resistance fighters try to bring in explosives from Shanghai, China to destroy key Japanese facilities in Seoul, Korea, while Japanese agents try to stop them. 

Interested?

StarHub TV customers can subscribe to the tvN Movies HD Pack at a monthly fee of S$8.56 (including GST), which gives access to tvN Movies HD. They will be able to enjoy tvN VOD HD via StarHub Go, StarHub’s online streaming service, free-of-charge. Existing customers of the Qiang Dang Yu Le Pack will be able to watch tvN Movies HD and tvN Movies VOD HD at no additional charge. 

All StarHub TV customers can catch the two-week long free preview of tvN Movies HD on StarHub TV Channel 818 from 11am on 11 January to 12pm on 31 January. 

HOOQ introduces original content from Globe Studios

Globe Studios and HOOQ have confirmed the release of the first episode of an original series, OTJ: The Missing 8, in the first quarter of 2017.

In contrast to mainstream TV fare, the OTJ series will deliver a cinematic experience that is gritty and fast paced, staying true to its movie origins. The original movie was shown in 2013 at the Cannes Film Festival. Based on Erik Matti’s multi-­­award winning movie OTJ, or On The Job, the six-­­part series marks the first big production created exclusively for an online video service in the region.

The Season 1 premiere follows the story of four people - ­­Sisoy, a corrupt local media man under the payroll of Pedring, the treacherous father of the town's ruling political clan; Pam, a passionate and honest big network investigative journalist from Manila and Roman, a principled hired gun regularly brought out of prison to kill. 

Their paths cross when eight journalists from Sisoy's town are massacred by Roman’s group and buried without a trace a day before Christmas Eve. Pam jumps on the case just as Sisoy discovers his connection to Pedring won't help him find out what happened to his friends. Despite their differences, the two work together to untangle the web of lies, controversy and corruption in a media circus where truth is elusive. 

OTJ: The Missing 8 is co-­­produced by Reality Entertainment the independent film outfit of Matti and Dondon Monteverde in partnership with Globe Studios. Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan says, “Globe Studios’ thrust is to create unique and original content for our customers whether they are at home or on mobile. OTJ is something familiar yet dangerous enough that shows how far we can push the limits of this exciting online medium.”

Globe Studios was launched by the telco last June as its original digital entertainment content arm that focuses on online shorts, subscription video on demand (SVOD) series and feature films among others. The OTJ series is also its first foray into co-­creating premium video-­­on-­­demand content.

“This is HOOQ’s first venture into producing original content, which is a natural alignment to our content strategy of differentiating our content and to play a part in growing the local content industry. HOOQ Originals will enhance our best-­­in-­­market content offering by adding exclusive local movies and TV series that are made for SVOD, and we are very excited about OTJ: The Series,” says Krishnan Rajagopalan, HOOQ Co-­­ Founder and Chief Content Officer.

"Creating a mini-­­series exclusively for a video-­­on-­­demand service like HOOQ allow us to push the limits of this new platform and the explore unique stories and get viewers more immersed in this compelling world we’re building,” said Director/producer Erik Matti.

HOOQ is Asia's first premium video-­­on-­­demand service to launch across the region. It is a joint venture established in January 2015 by Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Brothers. HOOQ currently operates in the Philippines, Thailand, India, Indonesia and Singapore with a population footprint of over 1.7 billion people. 

Interested?

HOOQ will be releasing OTJ: The Missing 8 across markets such as Thailand, India, Indonesia and the Philippines in early 2017. Globe customers can enjoy HOOQ on their mobile and home broadband plans. Subscriptions on mobile start at P149 for 30 days and soon will be available at P59 for seven days. Broadband customers can enjoy HOOQ as a free content add-­­on for six months on plans costing P1,299 and up. 

Interested?

Watch the teaser for the TV series

Watch the teaser for the 2013 movie

Watch Globe Studios’ original programming content