Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) yesterday launched its English-language Money FM 89.3, Singapore's first and only business and personal finance radio station.
The new station will focus not just on financial news, but also cover general news, lifestyle and trending topics.
"What is going to make the programmes engaging is that we are going to have guests, analysts and industry leaders, so listeners get to hear from a broad spectrum of thought leaders," SPH Radio's general manager Sim Hong Huat said at the launch.
"Importantly, our backbone is our newsrooms. We will get content from our own newspapers, The Business Times and The Straits Times, and get journalists on the show... This is unique stuff that nobody else would have."
Money FM 89.3 is aiming to catch the ear of professionals above 35 years old who are interested in matters of personal finance, including responsible saving, sensible investing and retirement planning.
"The launch of a dedicated station for the business community is not just timely - its format is new and snappy, and will reach out to a wide audience. With Singapore a global financial centre, this dedicated money channel is long overdue," said Mr Lai Kwok Kin, group managing director of WeR1 Group, a financial communications agency.
At Money FM 89.3, presenters Yasmin Jonkers and Elliott Danker will helm the morning drive time from 6am to 10am on weekdays. The segment will focus on stock picks and market updates to kick-start the day.
From 10am to 2pm, Howie Lim will present property trends and challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.
She will be followed by Claressa Monteiro from 2pm to 4pm, reporting on lifestyle stories.
On the evening slot from 4pm to 8pm, Desmond Wong will round up the day's news and trading activities around Asia and Europe. And from 7am to noon on weekends, Audrey Ying will explore exciting ways to spend one's days off.
The station's goal is to exceed a weekly cumulative listenership of about 300,000 within the next two years, and Mr Sim expects it to break even within three to four years. Being a new station, advertising rates will also be competitive, and "one of the lowest in the market in terms of spot rate", or 30-second slots.
There are now 13 people in the programming team, and the head count is expected to increase by three to four in the next financial year.
Asked how SPH's latest radio station would fit into the company's overall strategy, Mr Sim said: "Increasingly, we are doing a lot of integrated content for our clients, and this will be a very important part of the mix. When it comes to news, it is very much on the fly. You need immediacy, and radio is the media that gives you that immediacy."
Money FM 89.3 assistant programme director Loretta Lopez said the station will speak to listeners about issues close to their hearts. "Whether you are a business owner, investor, home owner, career seeker... there is something meaningful for everyone," she said.
Listeners can tune in to Money FM 89.3 via SPH Radio's mobile app, or stream online at www. moneyfm893.sg. Podcasts will also be available on the station's website and Facebook page.
Those tuning in today can expect to hear from Singapore Exchange chief executive Loh Boon Chye at 8am, and ShareInvestor CEO Christopher Lee at 4pm.
Correction note: This story was edited for accuracy.
