There are three main television/video standards in use throughout the world: PAL, NSTC and SECAM. Televisions must have PAL system to work in Singapore. However this is different to the UK/European PAL system. TV sets from the USA, Canada and Japan (NSTC) will not work, and neither will those from France and Eastern Europe (SECAM).

A multi-system TV will work in Singapore as it should include PAL.

TV Licence

A TV licence is required to run a TV or any other equipment capable of receiving a TV signal. The TV licence is valid for a year, from 1 January to 31 December; new applications made for a TV licence within those dates will be charged pro rata.

Application may be made:

• online via the Media Development Authority (MDA): Click here
• in person at any post office

Document required:

• A SingPass
• A valid passport (non-Singaporeans) or National Registration Identity Card NRIC for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents

TV licence fees are renewable each year in January. Payment must be made by 31 January to avoid late fees. Renewals may be done online.

The vehicle radio licence fee is included in the car tax fee.

TV Stations

• Mediacorp: the Singapore Television company, offering a variety of channels in English
• Channel 5:  offers viewers round-the-clock English mass entertainment and information programmes
• Arts Central: broadcasts the best alternative programmes from all over the world
• Channel News Asia: an English news channel.

Cable TV

Cable TV is offered by StarHub, which provides a wide range of English-language channels.

Documents required for sign-up are: 

• valid passport or an Employment Pass
• utility bill or tenancy agreement
• Singaporeans and Permanent Residents need only provide their NRIC

For cable TV, establish if the property is connected to cable. It takes one to two working days from the submission of the paperwork to arrange connection, provided that cable lines have been installed. It is rare that they are not installed but worth checking first.

Cable points need to be installed in the property at each point where a TV and cable is required for either broadband and or cable TV.

Each TV set with cable connection needs to have its own Set Top Box (to choose individual channels). These are rented from the cable TV provider. The Set Top Box has to be returned when the contract is cancelled. If the set no longer works, StarHub will replace it at no cost.

• A complete package for cable TV connections and Internet Broadband or telephone can also be obtained through StarHub.
• For a What's On guide to Cable TV programs: Click here

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page English-language TV, Radio and Press

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