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The Big List 2025 Country Profile: Singapore
19 January 2026
If it didn’t already have 1001+ suitors lining up for production funding, Singapore ended 2025 with another S$200 million/approx US$155 million in government backing, locking in its status as the likely belle of the content ball for 2026. All that’s missing are the details, scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2026.
So what’s the big plan for Singapore as far as we currently know?
The Talent Accelerator Programme (TAP), launched by government agency the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in December 2025, aims to establish Singapore as a co-production hub in the region and, among other objectives, to “build a more resilient media industry”.
This ambition is layered on top of the made-with-Singapore initiative, which puts Singapore companies in a clear partnership role.
A key element of the new purse is a dedicated in-house IMDA marketing team with a marketing fund “structured for select projects to increase visibility”, and, critically, distribution. IMDA mentioned “global distribution” in its announcement, which is ambitious but no harm in aiming high. We think boxes will be ticked and backs patted if regional distribution beyond natural partners in Malaysia is achieved.
Industry opinion is that the IMDA is increasingly focused on commercially successful projects, so more marketing money and a focus on distribution seems consistent with that direction.
The choice of projects will ultimately prove – or disprove – the perception that IMDA is leaning harder into commercially successful content. Will there be criticism that indie, art-house or culturally significant projects are being sidelined? Probably. But in terms of serving diverse communities, that argument doesn’t hold: Singapore already has substantial public service broadcast funding. As for art-house risk-taking, much as we value it, this may simply not be the moment. Right now, the strategic priority appears to be scale, reach and sustainability.
Either way, we’re not hearing voices raised against the comments by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information & Minist...
If it didn’t already have 1001+ suitors lining up for production funding, Singapore ended 2025 with another S$200 million/approx US$155 million in government backing, locking in its status as the likely belle of the content ball for 2026. All that’s missing are the details, scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2026.
So what’s the big plan for Singapore as far as we currently know?
The Talent Accelerator Programme (TAP), launched by government agency the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in December 2025, aims to establish Singapore as a co-production hub in the region and, among other objectives, to “build a more resilient media industry”.
This ambition is layered on top of the made-with-Singapore initiative, which puts Singapore companies in a clear partnership role.
A key element of the new purse is a dedicated in-house IMDA marketing team with a marketing fund “structured for select projects to increase visibility”, and, critically, distribution. IMDA mentioned “global distribution” in its announcement, which is ambitious but no harm in aiming high. We think boxes will be ticked and backs patted if regional distribution beyond natural partners in Malaysia is achieved.
Industry opinion is that the IMDA is increasingly focused on commercially successful projects, so more marketing money and a focus on distribution seems consistent with that direction.
The choice of projects will ultimately prove – or disprove – the perception that IMDA is leaning harder into commercially successful content. Will there be criticism that indie, art-house or culturally significant projects are being sidelined? Probably. But in terms of serving diverse communities, that argument doesn’t hold: Singapore already has substantial public service broadcast funding. As for art-house risk-taking, much as we value it, this may simply not be the moment. Right now, the strategic priority appears to be scale, reach and sustainability.
Either way, we’re not hearing voices raised against the comments by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health (MOH), Tan Kiat How, in his announcement: “In a fast-changing media landscape where audiences have more choices and AI is disrupting how content is produced, the Government is committed to support our sector and professionals adapt and remain relevant and competitive”.
For all that’s still unknown and for every past disappointment that may be tempering excessive optimism, the “we’ve got your back” messaging is landing well. Now for the details...
In numbers
Population ............................... 6.11 million
Households .............................. 1.46 million
Avg. household size.............. 3.09 persons
Fixed line subscriptions ........... 1.90 million
Broadband internet subs ....... 12.5 million
Wireless broadband population rate .............................. 178.2%
Mobile phone population rate ........165%
Total Mobile subs (4G/5G) ............ 9.82 million
Source: Department of Statistics Singapore Population as at end June 2025, households/size in 2024.
Infocomm Media Development Authority (fixed line / broadband / wireless / mobile in June 2025)
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