Television programming and broadcasting
This sub-class includes the activities of creating television content on entertainment, news, talk, and/or the like or acquiring the right to distribute these content and subsequently broadcasting these content. The complete television programme can be either broadcast by the producing unit or produced for transmission by third party distributors, such as cable companies or satellite television providers. The programming may be of a general or specialised nature (e.g., limited formats such as news, sports, education or youth oriented programming), may be made freely available to users or may be available only on a subscription basis. The broadcasting can be performed using different technologies, over-the-air, via satellite, via a cable network or via Internet. This sub-class also includes data broadcasting, typically integrated with television broadcasting. Units in this sub-class are primarily engaged in: - creation of a complete television channel programme, from purchased programme components (e.g., movies, documentaries), self-produced programme components (e.g., local news, live reports) or a combination thereof - programming of video-on-demand channels - data broadcasting integrated with television broadcasting - video streaming via internet - third party on-demand video streaming distribution services and/or downloads - broadcasting of live theatrical performances - video game streaming sites for viewing only
Licences & Permits
4 licences apply to businesses in this SSIC code depending on the specific activities you conduct. Most are activity-triggered — a holding company in 64, for example, only needs a Banking Licence if it actually conducts banking.
Nationwide TV Service Licence
To apply for Nationwide TV Licence(s)
- Processing
- available on the agency's website
Prerequisites (20)
- Shareholding Structure
- Shareholding Structure
- Articles of Memorandum
- Articles of Memorandum
- Business Activities
- Business Activities
- Organisational Structure
- Organisational Structure
- Business Plan
- Business Plan
- Financial Statements
- Financial Statements
- Programme Positioning
- Programme Positioning
- Viewership Details
- Viewership Details
- Programming Guidelines
- Programming Guidelines
- Channel Grid
- Channel Grid
Niche Television Service Licence
The Niche Television Service Licence applies to service providers of television services targeting niche market segments, and television services transmitted over the Internet, also known as "over-the-top (OTT)" television services. For more information please visit: https://iris.imda.gov.sg/application/niche-television-service-licence-(over-the-top)
- Validity
- 5 years
- Processing
- All completed applications will be processed within 35 working days
Prerequisites (17)
- Business Profile Report
- This should show your business':
- Registered address
- Paid-up share capital
- Shareholders
- Directors
- The report is only valid three months from the application date.
- Description of Television Service/Business Proposal
- This should include details such as the:
- Service launch date
- Description of the service and content
- How content is transmitted
- Target markets
- Access control mechanisms for NC16 and M18 content
- Age verification mechanisms for R21 content
- CV of Key Management Personnel
- CV of Key Management Personnel
Subscription International Television Service Licence
The Subscription International Television Service Licence allows broadcast companies or broadcasters to transmit their TV services from Singapore to the region via satellite or fibre or both. For more information please visit: https://iris.imda.gov.sg/application/subscription-international-television-service-licence
- Validity
- 5 years
- Processing
- within 20 working days if application is completed
Prerequisites (20)
- A brief background of the Company
- A brief background of the Organisation, including its equity and the profile of the management team.
- Business Profile Report
- This should show your business':
- Registered address
- Paid-up share capital
- Shareholders
- Directors
- The report is only valid three months from the application date.
- Estimated market size and share for each target market
- Estimated market size and share for each target market
- List of shareholders holding more than 5% shares
- List of shareholders who are holding more than 5% shares of the organisation.
- Programme Code or Standards
- Programme and Advertising Code or Standards
- Programme Schedules
- URL(s)/Sample reel(s) of the programmes and programme schedules.
- The reel(s) should be two to three hours in length, with 15-minute excerpts of the different programmes available on the channel(s) e.g. movies, news, current affairs, talk shows, game shows, children’s variety and dramas.
- Satellite Coverage
- Satellite Coverage of Uplink
TV Receive-Only System Licence
The Info-communications Media Development Authority issues TV Receive-Only (TVRO) System Licences to organisations that need to access time sensitive information for business decisions or require TVRO systems for their business operations. These organisations include commercial institutions endorsed by the Economic Development Board (EDB) or Enterprise Singapore (ESG), foreign embassies endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), hotels endorsed by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), foreign tertiary education institutions and international schools endorsed by EDB, and local tertiary education institutions. For more information please visit: https://iris.imda.gov.sg/application/television-receive-only-satellite-receiving-system-licence
When: if the organization is involved in television programming and broadcasting
- Validity
- Refer to the table below for licence validity
- Processing
- within 15 working days for all completed applications
Need help with these licences?
We handle the applications, document prep, and agency liaison end-to-end.
Licence requirements change — we keep this list current as part of the engagement.
Tax Incentives & Schemes
2 schemes that businesses in this SSIC code may qualify for. Eligibility is case-by-case — talk to the relevant authority.
Partial Tax Exemption (PTE)
Eligibility: Singapore tax-resident company.
Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE)
Eligibility: Newly incorporated SG-resident company, ≤ 20 individual shareholders (or one corporate holding ≥ 10%), not in investment-holding or property-development.
Note for SSIC : Excludes 64202 investment holding & 41001/68101 property development
Worth applying for any of these?
We screen eligibility and shape the application — most schemes are discretionary and need a substantive activity case.
Foreign Worker Levies
This SSIC code falls under MOM's Services sector for foreign-worker levy purposes. Levies below apply per worker per month, paid by the employer in addition to salary.
S Pass
| Tier | Monthly | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | SGD 550 | Up to 10% of total workforce |
Work Permit
| Tier | Monthly | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Higher-skilled (Tier 1) | SGD 300 | Up to 10% |
| Basic (Tier 1) | SGD 450 | Up to 10% |
| Basic (Tier 2) | SGD 600 | 10–25% |
| Basic (Tier 3) | SGD 800 | >25% (up to DRC of 35%) |
Hiring foreign workers in this sector?
We handle Work Permit, S Pass, and EP applications alongside the incorporation — and check Dependency Ratio Ceilings before you commit headcount.
Levies and Dependency Ratio Ceilings are reviewed periodically by MOM (rates above effective 2024-09-01).
Classification Path
Need help choosing?
Our guide helps you find the right SSIC code for your business activity.
Read the SSIC Guide