Hear Me Sing, billed by producers as the biggest online Chinese singing competition here, will launch in April.

It is produced by Singapore-based entertainment company, mm2 Entertainment , and presented by StarHub.

Prizes include $5,000 in cash, a professional voice-training course in Taiwan and an acting role in a movie to be produced by the entertainment company. Its upcoming movie productions include director Jack Neo's new movies Ah Boys To Men 4 and That Girl.

On why it is launching the competition now, Mr Ng Say Yong, managing director of mm2 Entertainment, pointed to the growing shift in "viewership habits", as well as the increased interest in online content.

He said: "Through this, we are looking at new ways to engage with audiences here. We also want to find fresh and talented faces for our film productions."

The competition is open to all Singaporeans and permanent residents between the ages of 16 and 35. Participants can enter either as a solo or duet act. Those interested can either download the online application form from www.hearmesing. com or submit their audition videos online by March 20.

Shortlisted participants will go through a round of closed auditions and the top 16 will be selected. They will each attend coaching workshops conducted by professional mentors from the entertainment industry - all of which will be shown online.

Hear Me Sing will be streamed weekly via StarHub's online streaming service StarHub Go.

The final two contestants will then compete for the championship in the Grand Finals, which will take place on June 12.

Viewers will be invited to cast their votes throughout the contest to help decide which contestant leaves each week. The final decision will be based on 60 per cent of what the judges say and 40 per cent of public votes.

Judges include Daniel Cheah Chee Lik, also known as Daniel Chezi, winner of 2015 Top Million Star, a televised singing competition from Taiwan; Dennis Sun Ziyou, winner of 2009 One Million Star; Singapore-based singer and songwriter Roy Li Fei Hui and songwriter Xiao Han, also from Singapore.

The competition will be hosted by local actor and singer Wang Wei Liang.

Mr Howie Lau, chief marketing officer of StarHub, said this competition "will provide a platform for our youth to pursue and live their dreams".

Hear Me Sing will be available on YouTube 24 hours after being broadcast on StarHub Go.