CNA’S 25th Anniversary: Mediacorp’s News Network Announces plans to scale up

25 March 2024

CNA’S 25th Anniversary: Mediacorp’s News Network Announces plans to scale up

Expansion strategy outlined at CNA’s Silver Jubilee includes the introduction of new editions in North America, UK and Indonesia, as well as plans for an increased presence in China

Mediacorp’s news and current affairs brand CNA will focus on reaching new audiences in regional and international markets like Indonesia, East Asia, US, and the UK, while continuing to serve Singaporeans by delivering trusted news and quality stories across its multiple platforms.

These plans were announced at CNA’s 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, held on 19 March at Capella Singapore with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as Guest-of-Honour.

Addressing a celebratory gathering of 300 guests, Mediacorp Chairman Niam Chiang Meng affirmed CNA’s commitment to continue evolving to meet the demands of a changing global mediascape: “We aim to be present at every touchpoint in people’s lives, engaging them through a combination of our own platforms and third-party platforms. This multiplatform approach is anchored on our understanding of how people consume content today – across platforms and devices, languages, and genres.”

Since its launch in Singapore in March 1999, CNA has grown from a local news channel to a network consumed around the world, reaching more than 94 million homes and hotel rooms in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Digitally, CNA content is consumed by an average of more than 10 million unique visitors every month [1]. On YouTube, CNA has a combined four million subscribers and over 27 million views per month for its CNA and CNA Insider channels. Its strong presence on YouTube has introduced the brand to a growing international audience, with the US being one of the top three markets in terms of watch time for its content [2]. The brand has also earned recognition on the global stage, having garnered more than 500 international awards and accolades in the past decade. Please refer to the Annex for a list of key milestones since CNA’s establishment in 1999.

Fresh initiatives to expand audiences and enhance offerings

With an eye towards fostering further growth, CNA has embarked on developments aimed at building its existing base, meeting new needs, and engaging untapped audiences beyond Singapore:

Making inroads in the US, Canada, and the UK: The CNA brand will be introduced in North America, Canada, and the United Kingdom across a combination of platforms: television streaming services, YouTube, and a curated edition of the CNA website. The roll out will be conducted in phases over this year. This undertaking will cater to people in these regions who are looking for breaking news and insightful documentaries about Asia – in particular China, Japan, and Korea.

Strengthening depth of coverage on China: As part of its expansion strategy and to deepen its on-ground understanding and reporting of China-related news, CNA plans to augment its mix of TV and digital bureaus, with plans to open a new bureau in Shenzhen, and potentially station more correspondents at its Beijing and Shanghai bureaus.

Introducing East Asia Tonight: Audiences can also look forward to a new one-hour bulletin, East Asia Tonight. Airing on CNA every weekday at 6pm from April. Through a combination of ground reporting of the latest developments, original in-depth features and expert analysis, CNA will seek to help audiences around the world to better “Understand Asia”.

Adopting AI to debut a Bahasa Indonesia website: Tapping on a large audience profile closer to home, CNA has launched cna.id, a website in Bahasa Indonesia. To achieve this milestone, CNA’s first digital foray beyond English, CNA signed a research collaboration agreement with Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to build an English-to-Bahasa Indonesia AI translation tool. A dedicated team of Bahasa Indonesia editors then checks these translated as well as original news reports and features before publishing them.

Providing more engaging content experiences: Continuing to harness AI, CNA has introduced AI-generated summaries (FAST) for articles on the CNA app. Launched on 18 March, the FAST feature uses AI large language models to extract key sentences from stories. These are vetted by the CNA editorial team before publication, providing time-pressed readers with an option to sample content quickly and efficiently when on the go. This feature will be launched on the website soon.

Earlier this year, CNA also introduced a text-to-speech conversion to enable readers to listen to digital stories; and improved its personalised experiences with MyFeed, a feature which allows readers to select and receive more stories on topics of interest to them.

Mediacorp Editor-in-Chief & Chief Sustainability Officer Walter Fernandez said: “CNA’s Silver Jubilee marks a significant milestone in our journey as CNA goes global.”

Added Mr Fernandez: “In the past decade, CNA has won more than 500 international awards for its outstanding content; CNA was named ‘Channel of the Year’ by the London-based Association for International Broadcasting in November 2020; and two years later CNA was named the global winner of the ‘Best News Website or Mobile Service’ by the World Association of News Publishers. Building on this track record of high-quality content and engaging programming, CNA has set its sights on being the global news source to ‘Understand Asia’. The next leg of CNA’s growth will focus on expanding our coverage and sharpening the nuance of our reporting about China; while growing our global audience particularly in North America and Europe.”

[1] Source: Adobe Analytics, April 2023 – February 2024
[2] Source: YouTube Studio

Voice of America names new Director of Studio and Production Operations

25 March 2024

Voice of America names new Director of Studio and Production Operations

With more than 35 years of experience, Frantz is a seasoned television broadcast operations and engineering leader. He has a strong background in production, technology, infrastructure and management. His global production experience was particularly of interest to VOA, given its global reach.

“Broadcasting more than 2,000 hours of content each week to Voice of America’s worldwide audience, our Studio and Production Operations group is literally the backbone of our network,” said Acting VOA Director John Lippman. “I look forward to working with Rich in this critical role.”

Before joining VOA, Frantz was Vice President of Engineering and Operations for the remote production company F&F Productions. His other roles have included Vice President of Global Service Delivery for SES S.A., the Luxembourg-based satellite telecommunications company; head of Global Sports and Events at the media service company MX1; and Director of Operations and Engineering for both NBC/Comcast Sports and the Comcast Network. Frantz is a U.S. Navy veteran and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

AIB Executive Committee for 2024-26 elected

25 March 2024

AIB Executive Committee for 2024-26 elected

In a significant reshaping of the global media landscape, the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has announced the election of its Executive Committee for the 2024-2026 term, comprising a diverse and experienced group of leaders from some of the world’s most significant broadcasting organisations. The newly elected members are set to steer the AIB through a period of rapid change and challenges in international broadcasting.

Nesryn Bouziane, currently serving as Manager of ABC International Services at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, brings a wealth of experience in managing international broadcasting services and will play an important role in sharing knowledge of media markets both in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Craig Dale, the Deputy Chief Editor overseeing international news and business at CNA (Mediacorp), will bring his editorial expertise and contribute significantly to the committee’s strategic planning and content development initiatives.

The BBC World Service’s Director of Distribution, Nigel Fry, has extensive background in global broadcasting distribution and continues as a long-standing member of the AIB Executive Committee.

Carlson Huang, Manager of the International Language Division at Radio Taiwan International, and another long-standing AIB Executive Committee member, brings invaluable insights into broadcasting in multiple languages, essential for the AIB’s efforts in promoting global communication and understanding.

John Lippman, the Acting Director of Voice of America, who joined the Executive Committee in 2023, has extensive experience in U.S. and international media that will enhance the collective impact of the AIB’s work worldwide.

Serge Schick, Director of International Development and Commercial Resources at France Médias Monde, continues as a member of the Executive Committee, bringing his expertise in international development and commercial strategies that will be instrumental in driving the AIB’s strategic growth.

Ömer Faruk Tanrıverdi, the Deputy Director General of TRT, brings a unique perspective from Turkey’s broadcasting scene, further diversifying the committee’s expertise and helping to foster cultural and informational collaboration between the East and West.

This diverse mix of media leaders from across the globe will help the AIB as it navigates the complex challenges of modern broadcasting, including areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital transition, regulatory environments, media freedom and the ongoing need for credible, impartial news for audiences worldwide.

With this new Executive Committee, the AIB aims to strengthen its role as a pivotal platform for international broadcasters, fostering collaboration and innovation to better serve audiences worldwide.

BBC relaunches global apps

21 March 2024

BBC relaunches global apps

Redesigned website and app offer a new contemporary look and more BBC content for digital audiences outside of the UK, alongside enhanced advertising capabilities.

BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC, and BBC News has announced the global launch of the all-new BBC.com and BBC app, transforming the way digital audiences read, watch, and find the BBC’s renowned journalism and storytelling outside of the UK. Available to users worldwide, the new website and app boast an updated design and navigation along with more of the trusted, impartial journalism that consumers rely on the BBC for across the world. The new BBC.com and BBC app also allow for a more premium and sustainable commercial offering with ad tech enhancements that unlock new opportunities for advertisers.

The BBC app, which replaces the International BBC News app, brings together content from across the BBC, for the first time ever. The app mirrors the refreshed BBC.com experience, offering stories and videos across Business, Innovation, Culture, Travel, Earth and more, alongside News, Sport, and live coverage. The BBC app is available for download today in the App Store for Apple users and for Android devices via Google Play.

Tara Maitra, Chief Commercial Officer, BBC Global Media & Streaming, BBC Studios, said: “We are excited to bring the new website and brand-new BBC app to audiences and partners around the globe, following a successful first introduction to consumers in North America,” said “These new digital products deliver an experience as premium as our news and storytelling and offers us the opportunity for future growth as we remain focused on finding new and innovative ways to make BBC content more easily accessible across the globe.”

Naja Nielsen, Digital Director for BBC News, said: “We know there is huge appetite for impartial BBC News journalism as we report – without an agenda – on the burning issues of our time. Thanks to our independent journalism, the BBC is the world’s most trusted international news media organisation, reaching more than 400 million people each week. As we expand and develop our global digital newsroom, I am thrilled our new global app and website will provide an excellent experience and much better showcase our world-beating journalism”.

BBC.com, which re-launched in North America last December, and the BBC app allow users to engage with the BBC’s content in a more cohesive experience. Some of the changes to the website and app include:

New Homepage: The new BBC.com homepage and home screen now include a mix of the biggest global news stories of the moment plus a selection of timely and relevant features, curated by BBC editors.
New Look, Same Trusted News: Visitors looking to dig deeper into what’s happening around the globe can navigate to News to find articles, videos, and live coverage. Those looking for news from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East can find it in the World section under News.
New Sections: BBC’s arts and entertainment coverage in Culture, technology, health and science in Innovation, and sustainability and environment in Earth. Sport, Business and Travel continue to offer agenda-setting stories from around the world, as well as the thought-provoking features readers have come to love from the BBC.
More BBC Videos: New Video section offers an extensive library of BBC videos and multimedia storytelling featuring content ranging from news and sport updates to captivating stories on climate, sustainability, science, health, entertainment, and history.
More Live Coverage: New Live section makes it easier to find live news updates and live global sport coverage as they unfold.
Up-to-the-Minute Breaking News Alerts: Audiences can sign up to receive the same breaking news notifications they always have.
The BBC Direct to your Inbox: Discover our newsletters, including The News Briefing, US Election Unspun, Tech Decoded, Future Earth, The Essential List and the brand-new In History

The new website and app, together, create a streamlined digital ecosystem that makes it easier than ever for audiences worldwide to discover a wider array of BBC content. The consistent, unified layout across web and app results not only in an improved user experience, but the unified, single product suite also allows for more opportunities and flexibility for advertising and sponsorship across both web and app.

Advertising partners can now take advantage of more premium high impact ad units that live seamlessly alongside the BBC’s content, making for a more effective consumer journey. Marketers will also benefit from advanced targeting capabilities featuring more sophisticated audience intelligence, segmentation, and attribution that connects campaigns across web and app products, delivering enhanced measurable results for partners.

These new digital platforms and features, coupled with research that shows advertising within news can drive business results, together bolster the opportunity for marketers to reach the coveted BBC.com audience of engaged and informed news consumers. In fact, according to the IAB1, advertising in news creates a halo effect, with consumers more likely to consider making a purchase after being exposed to a brand’s advertisement within their preferred news sources. Findings show that 90% of consumers have either a positive or neutral response to brands that advertise within news, while nearly half of consumers find brands that advertise in the news to be more customer-focused and engaging, more innovative, and relevant to them. The study from the IAB reinforces internal findings into the aggregated performance of advertising on BBC.com, which show an 80%+ average lift in likelihood to recommend and consideration across key categories.2

BBC.com and the BBC app are the latest step in the company’s ongoing digital transformation, and is supported by its investment in North America, which includes an expanded newsroom that facilitates deeper analysis and local expertise of the regional stories affecting the world. Recently, the company also launched the BBC News FAST channel in the U.S. across leading services, more than doubling the channel’s reach in the region. Ranked as the most trusted news broadcaster in the world, the BBC is driven by its public service mission and editorial guidelines and standards for which the organization is known.

The development and operation of BBC.com and the BBC app is driven by BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming division, which leverages the power of the BBC to reach and engage audiences worldwide. GM&S is responsible for the distribution and advertising of BBC News globally outside of the U.K. GM&S is a division of BBC Studios, the BBC Group’s commercial arm that helps to fund innovation, internationally recognized programming, and the organization’s public service mission.

BBC Studios and SABC join forces to launch BBC Primetime on S3

20 March 2024

BBC Studios and SABC join forces to launch BBC Primetime on S3

BBC Primetime will reach 13 million homes in South Africa, marking BBC Studios’ widest reaching branded service in EMEA

BBC Studios’ first hand-crafted content block in Africa will be available on S3 weeknights between 21:00-23:00.
BBC Primetime will give S3 audiences access to a hand-picked selection of BBC Studios’ award-winning dramas, documentaries and factual entertainment. Shows include Luther, Critical, Cheaters, Top Gear, Louis Theroux: Forbidden America and more.
BBC Primetime launches in May 2024

BBC Studios and South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) announce BBC Primetime, a brand-new content block for S3, featuring a hand-picked selection of award-winning dramas, factual entertainment and documentaries from BBC Studios’ award-winning catalogue. BBC Primetime will be available to watch weeknights between 21:00 and 23:00 on S3 and on SABC+ from May 2024 and is BBC Studios’ widest reaching branded service in EMEA.

BBC Primetime has been hand-crafted by BBC Studios, offering S3 viewers access to globally recognised content Monday-Friday. The content block will include a range of shows including psychological crime thriller starring Idris Elba, Luther, intense medical drama, Critical, gripping factual motoring show, Top Gear (season 14-17), and romantic comedy, Cheaters. Documentary series, Louis Theroux: Forbidden America, exploring three controversial corners of American entertainment and culture, will also be available to watch from launch.

Pierre Cloete, the Commercial Director at BBC Studios in Africa says “I am so excited to launch our first BBC branded block in Africa with SABC. BBC Primetime will be hand-picked for S3 audiences, packed with a selection of incredible programming from our award-winning catalogue. From intense thrillers, crime dramas and inspiring documentaries, this marks our first block for free to air audiences in South Africa, giving 13 million homes access to BBC Studios’ shows. I can’t wait for the 2024 launch.”

Sane Zondi, Programming Manager at SABC says “This partnership with BBC Studios is born out of the need for us to fulfil our commitment in delivering high quality international content to our viewers. We are excited to have access to a vast catalogue from the BBC, and the unlimited world-class entertainment our viewers will be able to enjoy through BBC Primetime on S3. The deal allows us to bring back some of the iconic BBC titles to our viewers which formed weekly habitual viewing, with Top Gear being the most notable one. I know our viewers will be delighted for the return to their screens and I know it will form their weekly engagements with us. There is a range of new content which we are keen for our audiences watch. We look forward to seeing some of the sentiments and reactions across our social media platforms on this great new era on our channel.”

BBC Primetime will be available to watch on S3 and SABC+ from May 2024.

[Source: BBC press release]

Global Media Sustainability Initiative webinar – creating and demonstrating the impact

19 March 2024

Global Media Sustainability Initiative webinar – creating and demonstrating the impact

SAVE THE DATE!

As the Global Media Sustainability Initiative (GMSI) develops, bringing together media companies from across the world to collaborate on ensuring sustainability issues are woven into all output genres, the AIB is hosting an important webinar that will demonstrate the real impact that programming can make on key issues.

This webinar will explore the impact that similar international media initiatives have achieved, through a presentation of research work undertaken by the World Bank and with examples of how media companies have delivered key messages to remove stigma about, and increase awareness of, key issues affecting people worldwide, such as HIV/AIDS.

The speakers include Georgia Arnold, co-founder and former Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Victor Orozco-Olvera, Senior Economist with the Development Impact (DIME) department in the World Bank and Chris Jackson, Senior Vice President and lead for the Ipsos People & Society practice in the United States.

The webinar will set the scene for the collaboration that the GMSI is facilitating across continents, including content sharing, knowledge exchange and training of commissioners, editors, writers, producers, and journalists working in drama, entertainment, sport, music and news in TV, radio and digital platforms.

See the webinar brochure here.

The webinar is free to join and takes place on Thursday 11 April 2024 at 1200 GMT/UTC [0600 Mexico City/0800 EST/1300 London/1400 CET/1400 Johannesburg/1600 Dubai/2000 Singapore/2300 Sydney/0000 Auckland].

Register for the event here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7603552e-6ce3-497f-ac67-5967ee0e7ece@8f364d80-17ad-4baa-906d-84be71988aec

For more information about the Global Media Sustainability Initiative, visit: https://aib.org.uk/aib-global-media-sustainability-initiative/

We look forward to you joining us in April and helping to make the GMSI effective and influential.