Month: July 2021

PwC has released their special report on the annual Global Entertainment & Media Outlook. Now in its 22nd year, the Outlook is the premier source of information and insight into the evolution of this dynamic, diverse and fast-changing sector.
In 2020, the pandemic triggered the sharpest contraction in overall E&M revenues in the history of this research. And it accelerated changes in consumer behaviour to pull forward digital disruption and industry tipping points by several years. In 2021, those tipping points morphed and coalesced into power shifts that are rapidly reshaping the industry.
One of the clearest trends is that players are realising they may be better served by figuring out how to meet consumers at their convenience. People prefer the ease and convenience of self-directed podcast listening to adhering to radio stations’ schedules. As a result, audio content providers are diversifying their offerings to become more of a destination where consumers will linger and browse. For example, although podcast platforms in many territories tend to specialise in particular topics—comedy, politics and so on—the leading providers in the mature Chinese market, such as Ximalaya and Nasdaq-listed Lizhi, aggregate many different subjects and types of podcasts into a single offering. Clubhouse and Spotify use live and recorded podcasts to re-create a personalised radio type experience.
Total global entertainment and media (E&M) revenue fell -3.8% year on year in 2020, by far the most significant drop in revenue — US$81.0bn, or more than the value of 2020’s entire music, radio and podcasts segment — in the history of the Global Entertainment and Media Outlook.
As more global regions emerge from lockdown and see increasing rates of vaccination, a forecast year-on-year rise of 6.5% in 2021 and a further 6.7% rise in 2022 will help drive total global E&M revenue to increase at a 5.0% five-year CAGR. However, this seemingly healthy growth comes from a greatly depressed base year — extending the CAGR period to six years provides a less optimistic picture with a rate of just 3.5%.
Sectors that meet digital and mobile consumers where they are find rapid growth. The projected CAGR for Virtual Reality from 2020-25 is the highest among all segments at 30 percent, while Music, Radio and Podcasts are projected to grow at 9 percent. […]

After more than a year-long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the SPH Gift of Music, a series of free community concerts sponsored by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Foundation, will return with A Gift of Love, a concert by Ding Yi Music Company on 24 July at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium. SPH Radio is the official radio partner of the event.
Ding Yi Music Company, a renowned Chinese chamber ensemble and recipient of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award in 2019, will perform two shows at 3pm and 7pm respectively. Online audiences can catch the live-streamed concert at 7pm on the Facebook pages of SPH, Ding Yi and 96.3 Hao FM.
A Gift of Love concert aims to spread joy and hope amid the pandemic situation. It is a reminder to take comfort in the love of our family, friends and those around us during challenging times.
Inspired by the 2021 National Day Parade theme of ‘Together, Our Singapore Spirit‘, the multi-cultural repertoire will feature popular favourites such as Chinese pop hits Friends Forever and My Dearest Baby, Indian medley Veena Concerto, Malay medley Beruntung Jadi Anak Kelatan and one of Singapore’s favourite National Day songs Home, written by Dick Lee.
The concert, conducted by Wong De Li, Dedric, will be hosted by SPH Radio 96.3 Hao FM DJ De Ming who will also perform a song with the ensemble. The programme will also feature two soloists, Cellist Chee Jun Sian and Veena musician Madhavan Kalaichelvan. […]

India’s 93.5 Red FM network announced ‘The Audio Film Project’ starting July 26.
The show will have ace Bollywood Director, Vikram Bhatt narrating high intensity horror and thriller stories on air to give listeners a never-before experience in the form of audio films.
It will air every Monday to Saturday at 9 PM.
Speaking on the announcement, Nisha Narayanan, Director & COO, RED FM and Magic FM, said: “Audio is a personalised form of storytelling, and the tradition is ingrained in India’s fabric. It is also one of the most powerful content formats on radio. Vikram Bhatt has built a legacy of films in the space of horror and thrillers and our listeners are in for a lot of thrill and spine-chilling content.”
Talking about the initiative, Vikram Bhatt said: “Have you ever felt that the book was better than the movie? Have you ever felt more scared while hearing a ghost story than seeing one? I am certain you have and the reason is that imagination sees more than the eyes can ever see. I have now collaborated with RED FM for The Audio Film Project that aims at creating a unique experience for radio listeners. It focuses on storytelling and live narration that will give listeners an experience of stories vividly through the audio format.” […]