Wattpad and Mediacorp partner to bring Singapore stories from written word to national screens
New development deal will adapt Wattpad stories for Mediacorp’s streaming and free-to-air platforms
Bali, Indonesia, 23 April 2019 – Wattpad, the global multiplatform entertainment company for original stories, and Mediacorp, Singapore’s largest content creator and transmedia platform, today announced a development partnership to bring Wattpad stories to screens across Singapore. The companies will adapt scripted series and films for Mediacorp’s digital entertainment destination, Toggle, and free-to-air platforms.
Wattpad and Mediacorp announced the partnership at APOS 2019, an annual event held in Bali, Indonesia for the media, telecoms and entertainment industry in Asia. Together, Wattpad and Mediacorp will identify Singaporean writers and stories that resonate with both local and international audiences. Projects will be sourced from Wattpad using the company’s Story DNA Machine Learning technology, which allows Wattpad to identify exceptional stories from the 565 million uploads that have been shared on the platform. Wattpad’s machine learning technology will also be used throughout the development process, providing audience insights and perspectives to guide each project.
Tham Loke Kheng, CEO, Mediacorp said: “This partnership again demonstrates Mediacorp’s commitment to reinvigorating our content and formats and innovating the very way we source stories. A nation’s literature holds up a mirror for people to see themselves and what binds them. With Wattpad, writers and readers congregate and give voice to one another. Readers being able to share their insights, comments and ideas with writers, while writers reveal the collective soul of a nation through their writing. Singapore stories have much to offer to our society, and we aim to uplift them from written word to national screens.”
Dexter Ong, Head of Asia for Wattpad Studios, said: “We’ve created a new model for discovering stories and bringing them to screens, unlocking a world of possibilities for storytelling in every format. With our data-driven approach to entertainment we’re able to identify new voices and bring their stories to audiences all over the world. We’re thrilled to work with Mediacorp to bring this model to Singapore, creating opportunities for Singaporean storytellers.”
In addition to sourcing existing stories from Wattpad, the companies will hold local contests that invite new story ideas from Singaporean writers that will be eligible for development. Contest and entry details will be announced at a later date.
Sapna Angural, Head, English Audience, Mediacorp added: “From fireside folk fables to contemporary drama streamed over the top, narratives have always been essential in every society. We are excited about working with Wattpad to discover a new generation of storytellers and work with them to tell stories that reflect the Singapore psyche and ethos. We hope to provide these young writers with a transmedia platform to connect with new communities and make their mark on a bigger stage, at home and beyond.”
Wattpad has more than 70 million users globally and 22 million users across the Asia Pacific region, where they work with a number of leading entertainment and media partners. The company recently announced a 26-film deal with iflix for Indonesia, a development deal with Huayi Brothers Korea, and a strategic investment from Times Bridge, the global investments and partnerships arm of The Times Group, to expand its presence and grow users in India. Wattpad previously worked with the Philippines’ TV5 Network to co-produce the hit Wattpad Presents TV series. Wattpad also works with Sony Pictures Television, Universal Cable Productions, SYFY, AwesomenessTV, Bavaria Fiction and other entertainment partners around the world.
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About Wattpad
Wattpad’s vision is to entertain and connect the world through stories. Using the power of community and technology, the global multiplatform entertainment company is unleashing the full potential of stories to the world -- in any format. Wattpad’s flagship app is the world’s leading social storytelling platform, home to a community of more than 70 million people who spend over 22 billion minutes a month engaged in original stories. Wattpad’s Story DNA Machine Learning technology allows the company to understand and discover stories among the more than 565 million uploads on the platform. Wattpad Studios and Wattpad Books are transforming entertainment and publishing, using data-backed insights to turn Wattpad stories into books, films, TV shows, and digital projects. Wattpad Brand Partnerships offers a full suite of advertising products to help brands build deep engagement with Millennial and Gen Z consumers. Tap by Wattpad, the company’s second storytelling product, offers immersive interactive entertainment experiences in over a dozen languages. The company is proudly based in Toronto, Canada. Learn more at: company.wattpad.com
About Mediacorp
Mediacorp is Singapore’s largest content creator and transmedia platform, operating seven TV channels, 11 radio stations and multiple digital platforms including CNA, Singapore's most used news app, and Toggle, its digital video platform. Its mission is to engage, entertain and enrich audiences by harnessing the power of creativity.
Mediacorp pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, with radio broadcast in 1936 and television broadcast in 1963. Today, it reaches 99% of Singaporeans in four languages and has a growing Asian audience base through CNA as well as entertainment content that is distributed across markets in the region.
The Mediacorp Partner Network brings Mediacorp together with industry-leading brands like ESPN, Edipresse Media and 99.co to deliver rich content for consumers and effective solutions for advertisers.
Mediacorp is the recipient of industry accolades including New York Festivals, World Media Festivals, PromaxBDA (World and Asia) and Asian Academy Creative Awards.
For more information, please visit mediacorp.sg.