Digitalization has changed the way Singaporeans consumed entertainment media
Digital media, with its broad range of international offerings, brought the world to viewers and listeners at a time when most were confined to their homes. In 2020, the number of subscriptions to subscription video on demand (SVoD) services per person in Singapore increased compared to the previous year. Apart from global SVoD giants such as Netflix, HBO, and Disney+, which was launched in Singapore right in the middle of the pandemic, consumers are also able to subscribe to Viu, which offers mainly Asian content.The average Singaporean consumer spent more time viewing online video content on their smartphones compared to any other device. This was done through apps from SVoD service providers or video-on-demand apps such as YouTube. The smartphone is also the primary device for Singaporeans to listen to music and podcasts online, as well as to play video games.
5G as a game changer for online video and entertainment
Over-the-top (OTT) video, online video gaming, as well as music and audio streaming, all rely on the internet to transmit video and audio content. The quality of the video and audio streaming, therefore, is highly reliant on the devices used to consume it, as well as the internet speeds used to transmit the content. Singaporeans already enjoy the fastest broadband speed globally, which allowed for high-quality streaming at home. However, its mobile download speeds were nowhere near that of the leading countries for mobile internet speeds. This thus leads to a marked decrease in video streaming quality, especially, when viewing online video content on a smartphone.The launch of a 5G network in Singapore would further improve mobile streaming quality. Gamers in the country have already rated the gaming experience on a 5G network favorably. Improvements in the 5G network could lead to a better experience for mobile video streaming, possibly leading to the growth of the multiplay market in Singapore.
