SINGAPORE CABLE VISION (Percentages of subscription)

Dr Ker Sin Tze asked the Minister for Information and the Arts what are the percentages of subscription for Singapore Cable Vision by Housing and Development Board flats, condominiums and apartments, and landed properties and what measures will be taken to raise the percentages if they are low.

The Minister for Information and the Arts (Mr Lee Yock Suan): Mr Speaker, Sir, in February, my Ministry informed this House that the overall subscription rate for cable as at 31st January 1999 was 18.5% or 148,000 households. Since the completion of cable rollout recently, the overall rate has increased to 21% (or 196,000 households) as at 31st October 1999. The subscription rate is highest for private residential homes, with landed property showing a 40% take-up rate. I am unable to provide more detailed information as this is trade information of commercial value.

SCV is currently re-packaging its basic tier system to make it more affordable and attractive. The new system is likely to have packages such as news, sports, education, Chinese language, entertainment and minority interests. This would allow subscribers more choice over the channels they want and lower the entry price for those who are only interested in certain types of programmes. SCV is in active negotiations with its programming partners for this move.

Mr Chng Hee Kok: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister say that the Ministry has no control on how much SCV charges our consumers for the services?

Mr Lee Yock Suan: This is a commercial operation. So it is mainly left to market forces.