Convergence and regulation of multi-screen television: The Singapore experience

• Analyze convergent and regulatory issues of cross-platform audiovisual services.
• Competition, content regulation and copyright are identified as three key issues.
• A “platform neutrality” multi-screen TV regulatory scheme is proposed.
• Categorize TV-like services based on “socio-cultural impact” and “content model”.
• Different license and content regulations are recommended accordingly.

This article addresses complicated convergent and regulatory issues arising from cross-platform audiovisual services and analyzes Singapore's multi-screen television experience. A “platform neutrality” multi-screen TV regulatory scheme is proposed to concentrate on content classification in order to respond to the fast-changing audiovisual industry and competition. Under the scheme, different content and license regulations are applied to four types of TV-like services which are categorized by “socio-cultural impact” (i.e., broadcasting and mass market vs. VOD and niche market)” and “content production/aggregation model” (i.e., gatekeeping vs. participatory mechanism). In addition, competition, content regulation, and digital copyright are identified as key issues involved in the fast-growing cross-platform audiovisual media industry. Finally, this study analyzes market development, regulatory issues, and national plans for multi-screen TV services in Singapore and examines them under the proposed regulatory scheme. Market and policy recommendations are discussed.