Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has on Thursday launched S$48 million ($37 million) program to support media professionals in creating digital content.

IMDA said in a statement that media professionals will be given support to create digital content via the its new Digital Content and Capability Development (DCCD) program.

This program which is spanning four years will help Singapore’s media professionals and companies1 compete in an increasingly digital-led media landscape.

At the same time, media professionals will be given opportunities to harness artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for content creation to stay ahead of the curve.

It is noted that the local audience behavior continues to shift towards various digital platforms, devices and formats, with 87 percent of people aged 15 and above now accessing top social media video sites such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook on a weekly basis.

Short-form videos, microdramas, AI-assisted production workflows and AI-generated content are gaining traction, alongside a new generation of digitally native content creators reshaping how content is produced, distributed and consumed.

According to IMDA, Singapore has no shortage of compelling stories to share with the world, and media professionals can use technology and AI to complement their storytelling craft and bring these stories to audiences in new and engaging ways.

The DCCD program aims to help media professionals respond to these shifts through two core pillars.

Firstly, digital content development, which supports the creation and distribution of content that reflects how local audiences discover and connect with stories today across social platforms, digital channels and mobile-first formats.

This includes supporting Singapore stories that can resonate with youth, adults and seniors through relevant formats and narratives.

Secondly, capability development, which supports innovation in digital storytelling, emerging formats and technologies, and production approaches, including AI-generated content (AIGC) and short-form episodic content across live action and animation.

It will also foster experimentation with and adoption of AI-assisted workflows for content development, production and localization.

This will enable media professionals to focus more time on the creative aspects such as creative direction, storytelling and narrative crafting, as well as business development and pitching.

To join the DCCD program, media companies will participate in an accreditation exercise which will assess their current content development capabilities and track record.

Accredited companies will be eligible to participate in Calls for Proposals (CFPs).

The accreditation exercise will be conducted twice yearly. The first exercise saw 117 companies being accredited, with the first CFP launching on June 18, 2026 and running to July 31, 2026.

IMDA also highlighted that in a fast-evolving media landscape, media professionals will also be able to develop their AI skills as part of the National AI Impact Program (NAIIP), to enhance content creation and streamline repetitive parts of the production process.

Therefore, it aims to train 100,000 non-tech professionals across various industries to be AI bilingual over the next three years.

The DCCD also builds on IMDA’s S$200 million ($155 million) Talent Accelerator Program (TAP), which was launched in December 2025 to strengthen the capabilities of Singapore’s media talent – particularly Creative Producers, Scriptwriters and Directors – across both film and television, to develop a sustainable pipeline of high-quality, globally marketable Made-with-Singapore stories.

IMDA said it is committed to supporting Singapore’s media ecosystem in developing new digital content formats and building digital capabilities to remain innovative and competitive.

Collectively, these efforts also help create opportunities to better connect with Singapore audiences across various platforms, with the potential for selected stories and formats to travel beyond Singapore, said the statement.

Singapore central bank chief warns of AI-related risks despite economic resilience