SINGAPORE - Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will again team up to produce a second season of short videos under the authority's Public Service Broadcast initiative.
Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information and Health Chee Hong Tat announced this in Parliament on Tuesday (March 6).
The second season of more than 120 videos, each three to 10 minutes long, will be released under 16 titles across infotainment, info-ed and children's programming from May this year to April next year.
The videos will be released across SPH's digital content network, which includes The Straits Times Online, The Business Times Online, Zaobao.sg, STIRR, AsiaOne, STOMP, The New Paper and ZB Schools, as well as the Facebook pages of The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao, The Business Times, AsiaOne, Lianhe Wanbao, Shin Min, ZB Lifestyle, ZBComma and Thumbs Up.
Season 1, which saw the release of 118 short videos, had very active audience engagement, SPH and IMDA said in a joint press release.
First to launch for the second season will be Heroes Among Us, scheduled to run in May. The fortnightly programme features Singaporeans who help local or regional communities, or who have overcome challenges in their lives, at times with superhuman effort. Through the profiles, viewers also get to see the different communities here and in the region that need help.
Also coming back for a second run is Living City, which explores the relationships between Singaporeans and the spaces they dwell in. Each episode will take the viewer to little-known places in Singapore through the eyes of a narrator showing how each place has influenced his life.
New to season two, which will be broadcast in English and Mandarin, are two bilingual children's programmes.
Finding The Red Dot aims to teach children about the history, legends and stories of Singapore through the eyes of a cub reporter. Aged 10 to 12, the reporter will go around Singapore to learn and explore the history and legends behind Singapore's buildings and landmarks.
Another bilingual series, Past Present Future, will enable children to explore, learn and research by themselves how older forms of technology have advanced in the present, and imagine their evolution in the future.
Mr Ng Yat Chung, SPH's chief executive, said the company is committed to constantly engage the growing segment of digital content consumers.
Mr Tan Kiat How, IMDA's chief executive, expressed his wish that through continued collaboration, "Singaporean audiences will continue to support and appreciate our local content and stories".
Here is a list of the other programmes:
In English
ST Sessions
In this eight-episode fortnightly series that will return in May, ST will take viewers out on the road with featured musical acts. The audience will have a close-up view through cameras that are embedded with the musicians as they prepare for live gigs.
Made in Singapore
This new series, to be launched in July, showcases young, enterprising Singaporeans who make handmade products.
A Day in the Kitchen
Viewers will be taken behind the scenes of a working kitchen, following the chef's daily routine. Each episode will touch on the background of the featured dish or chef and share about how certain meals are created, as well as the customs and stories behind them.
Smart City
To be launched in August, this six-episode series expounds on the key areas of Singapore's Smart Nation push into greater digitalisation. The programme will delve into nationwide efforts such as electronic payments, digital identities and a national sensor system, as well as initiatives that will impact the daily lives of Singaporeans, such as the rolling out of autonomous vehicles.
Singapore Works
How does Singapore work? This is the question behind this six-episode series, to be launched in November. Each episode will feature an aspect of the country's infrastructure, accompanied with explanations on how it functions, and the people who work to keep Singapore ticking.
SME Focus
This show features start-ups from various industries and takes a look at how they began their corporate journey and what it is that they do. A presenter will interview the guests, and conduct product demonstrations to engage the audience.
In Mandarin
Live Your Dream Season II
Season Two of this series follows returning host Ken Low Yong Kian as he fulfils dreams of people from all walks of life across seven episodes. All episodes are subtitled in English.
Ah Boy and Friends
This fortnightly animated series follows original character Ah Boy, who explores Malay, Indian and Eurasian cultures. English subtitles are provided for the nine-episode series, which will be launched in June.
You Do What?
Technological advances mean some jobs are now obsolete while others face that threat. This fortnightly show looks at unique jobs that may be unfamiliar to viewers, as well as jobs that have withstood the test of time.
Sing! Singapore
This new monthly programme pairs young budding local musicians with veterans, who coach, collaborate and co-create music with them. Viewers get to be judges in the online auditions, as well as interact in real-time during the live webcast of the finale.
Mission: SG
A fortnightly programme, Misson: SG looks at how Singapore, as a cosmopolitan city-state, maintains good relationships with a variety of countries, big and small.
The Grand Challenge
This five-part Mandarin series pairs children with their grandparents and gives them a mission to complete. The programme follows a gameshow format and explores inter-generational dynamics.
