Revised Guidelines for Dialect Content for Films and Subscription TV Services (Factsheet)

The guidelines on language use in media support the broader language policy to promote Mandarin as a common language among Chinese Singaporeans. This objective remains important even as the language environment evolves. The Government acknowledges that dialects are cultural heritage worth preserving, while continuing to uphold the importance of Mandarin. 

MDDI will allow more dialect content in films and on subscription TV services to provide audiences with greater access to more viewing choices.

Greater Flexibility for Dialect Content

MDDI has reviewed the guidelines for dialect content in films and on subscription TV services.

• Dialect content in films

MDDI will allow greater flexibility in the screening of films with dialect content in cinemas. Films in full dialect or with majority dialect content will be allowed for screening in cinemas with no limits to the number of screenings, so long as Mandarin subtitles are shown and a Mandarin-dubbed version of the same film is also made available.

The key film industry players welcome this relaxation for films with dialect content.

• Dialect content on subscription TV

MDDI will remove the existing restrictions for dialect content on subscription TV services such as allowing only one dialect art-house movie per week or a percentage of dialect songs on a music channel. There will no longer be any restrictions on dialect content on subscription TV services.

For free-to-air TV and radio, Mandarin will continue to be the mainstay.

Implementation of changes

The updated dialect guidelines will take effect in September 2026.