The government will pump in another $182 million to increase the production public service broadcast (PSB) programmes over the next four years. This was announced in the Singapore Budget 2013 on Friday.

The new fund will be dedicated towards increasing the number of locally-produced current affairs programmes and documentaries on culture and heritage said Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim on Friday.

The additional amount is on top of a $630 million kitty that had been earmarked for public service programmes earlier in July 2012, spread across five years till 2016.

Some 40 per cent of the overall funding will be made available to independent production companies, the Media Development Authority said.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Yaacob said the Government hopes to see more quality documentaries such as "History from the Hills." The programme, which earlier this year, recounted the history of Singapore through stories revolving around the Bukit Brown cemetery,

"It shed light on our past, and brought to life important pieces of Singapore's heritage," said Mr Yaacob.

"With the additional funding, we hope to bring more of such insightful and interesting programmes to our people - not only to inform and educate, but also to inspire our people to pursue and fulfil their dreams," he added.