SINGAPORE'S first interactive online TV service went live for the first time yesterday morning, promising news that is 'raw, edgy and sharp' and will engage the viewer at the same time.

The Straits Times RazorTV, which made its debut at 11.30 am sharp, was launched by Singapore Press Holdings chairman Tony Tan at the new SPH Multimedia Centre in Toa Payoh North.

A team of 30 - 17 of them broadcast journalists - will put together eight hours of news and lifestyle offerings five days a week, from Monday to Friday.

What's unique about the free service, located at www.razor.tv, is that viewers can access on-demand news videos and choose what and when to watch.

Apart from largely uncut interviews, there will also be real-time interactivity that gives viewers the chance to chat with presenters, interviewees and even other netizens.

They can also contribute their own video clips of newsy events, much like how YouTube works.

Speaking to reporters after spending an hour touring the RazorTV office and studio, Dr Tan said that the service was a 'very important and exciting' one for SPH to have in this digital age.

'It's a first for SPH and Singapore, and I expect it to go down very well. With this venture into the digital space, I expect SPH's future to be even brighter, as it will give everyone - presenters, reporters, technicians, and so on - the chance to go into new areas and develop new skills,' he said.

RazorTV is currently available only in English, but plans are in the pipeline to offer programmes in Malay and Mandarin in the future, said Dr Tan, after the initial kinks are ironed out.

Digital Media editor Felix Soh, who is spearheading RazorTV, said: 'With the emphasis on creating this new user-centric paradigm, there can be no better way to leverage on real-time social interactivity to capture new eyeballs and better engage the audience.'

RazorTV is expected to draw several million page views in its first year and earn revenue by selling advertisement space.

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