MIPCOM Cannes, France – Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) announces key deals with its Western Australian counterpart, ScreenWest and new Asian broadcaster YR Asia Satellite TV. Both deals are part of MDA’s global strategy to encourage producers from across the world to jointly develop and exploit the potential of Singapore content and multi-platform intellectual properties with Singapore media companies. The ScreenWest deal invites producers in Western Australia and Singapore to submit proposals in children’s programming, documentary and animation. The project will see three selected projects qualify for US$90,000 worth of co-development funding. The YR Asia Satellite deal marks the first deal for the brand new entertainment channel, which will be broadcast for the first time on Hong Kong’s I-Cable channel 28 on October 18. It aims to launch in 15 countries, reaching out to 1.2 billion Mandarin-speaking viewers in China and the rest of Asia Pacific. YR Asia purchased 100 hours of lifestyle and documentary Mandarin content from Singapore. In addition, it is finalising a deal for exclusive broadcast rights to 20 hours of brand new Mandarin content supported by MDA. This bulk acquisition of Singapore Mandarin factual programming is the largest of its kind to date. Christopher Chia, MDA’s chief executive officer said, “We are witnessing an increasing number of partnerships with leading international players across a wide range of genres and formats. The Australian and Asian deals are examples of how we are achieving our key goals of driving Singapore content to the forefront and building international partnerships.”