By August, readers could be getting their newspapers from 50 newspaper vending machines across the island.

The first three were officially launched by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) yesterday.

Two are at the FoodLoft outlets in Clementi Avenue 3 and Avenue 4, with a thirdin Havelock Road.

Mr Chua Wee Phong, executive vice-president of SPH's circulation division, said the company's network of roadside stalls has diminished over the years.

"(This) limits our readers' accessibility to newspapers," said Mr Chua, who noted that the vending machines would save manpower, while making newspapers available to readers.

There will be a series of contests to celebrate the launch of the new machines, in which readers stand to win cash and prizes worth up to $20,000. More information will be published at a later date.

Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao is also running a promotion along with StarHub's video streaming service, StarHub Go. From now until June 30, subscribers to Zaobao's Chinese 3-in-1 All-Digital package can also get the StarHub Go Select subscription for 15 months.

If they are StarHub mobile postpaid customers, they will also get zero-rated local data on both zaobao.sg and StarHub Go apps.

The 3-in-1 package costs 99 cents per month for the first three months, and $29.90 from the fourth month onwards.

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