New TNP to launch on Thursday

The redesigned paper at its trade launch on Oct 25. The New Paper will cater to professionals, managers, executives and businessmen, but will continue to have stories that inspire and touch readers, said Mr Eugene Wee, who takes over as editor on Thu
The redesigned paper at its trade launch on Oct 25. The New Paper will cater to professionals, managers, executives and businessmen, but will continue to have stories that inspire and touch readers, said Mr Eugene Wee, who takes over as editor on Thursday. TNP PHOTO: CALVIN WONG

Come Thursday, Singaporeans will have a new newspaper to read.

From that day, My Paper will merge with The New Paper (TNP).

Copies of the new TNP, which will be managed by the TNP team, will be available at various places, including MRT stations and selected malls.

My Paper started as a free Chinese newspaper in 2006, and became bilingual in 2008. TNP started in 1988.

The new newspaper's contents will be in English only and will cater to professionals, managers, executives and businessmen (PMEBs).

Mr Eugene Wee, who will take over as TNP's editor on Thursday, said: "This will include news and analyses on the economy, jobs, property and personal finance."

  • Get The New Paper free

    From Thursday, The New Paper will be distributed free at MRT stations and selected malls as well as other locations such as cafes, medical centres, country clubs, car service centres, premium buses, airline lounges and serviced apartments.

    You can also get it delivered to your home for a fee depending on where you live.

    For home delivery, please call our subscription hotline on 6319-8878 or e-mail us at circssp@sph.com.sg

But he added that the newspaper will continue to have stories that inspire and touch readers; stories about people in Singapore.

The new TNP will be given out on Mondays to Saturdays, and will also be available free online at tnp.sg

Readers can also get it delivered to their homes for a fee, depending on where they live.

In the new TNP, My Paper readers can expect a thicker newspaper with more content and a wider range of stories which aim to interest, educate and entertain.

Mr Dave Ang, 53, TNP's news editor, said there will also be specific themes for different days, such as health, movies, food and fashion.

He added that there will no longer be an M section, which was TNP's entertainment supplement.

Instead, entertainment stories will be spread throughout the week.

There will also be changes on the digital front.

TNP digital news editor Jonathan Roberts said: "Online, you get more - whether it is more pictures, more videos, interactive graphics or online exclusive content."

The new-look website will help direct readers to more related content.

Mr Roberts, who was also involved with the redesign of TNP, said a key point was to give more content, especially on the front page.

For example, instead of devoting its entire front page to pictures, TNP will offer a full story there.

Mr Solomon Lim, chief sub-editor, said: "We want to be able to give all the news readers need, quickly and succinctly. Which is why we keep it brisk and breezy in our News sections."

However, the changes will not be wholesale. Mr Lim added that TNP has always been about dramatic, visual storytelling, and the Lifestyle and Sports pages will continue to reflect that.

The newsroom has been busy preparing for the first issue of the new TNP.

Mr Dominic Nathan, the paper's current editor, said: "We are running the current TNP and also mock-ups of the new TNP to give us an idea of the changes needed. There is also the excitement of starting a new product."

Mr Nathan added that there has been much discussion with TNP stakeholders, including new deals being struck with advertisers.

He said: "The editorial team is working closely with the marketing team to make the product a success. The signs are very promising, especially in the tough economic climate we are now experiencing."

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 29, 2016, with the headline New TNP to launch on Thursday. Subscribe