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Maiden issue of Streats (2
Sep 2000) |
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As we bid a warm welcome to 2005, we also find
ourselves saying goodbye to a good read - Streats newspaper. The last issue of
Streats appeared yesterday. So, from today, there will be no more Streats in
the streets. And, there will be no more Streats to greet us at MRT stations in
the early morning rush-hours and at lunchtime. |
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The maiden issue of Streats took to the streets on
2 Sep 2000. Singapore's first
free newspaper from media group Singapore Press Holdings (SPH)
was launched at Orchard Road with a party. We remember the colourful inaugural issue
came with 29 coupons for free food and drinks and a S$1 phonecard. |
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In September 2004, SPH and MediaCorp surprised
everyone when they said they would
merge their mass-market TV operations and free newspapers to stem losses.
The merger was
approved by the Media Development Authority (MDA).
It was agreed SPH's Streats would close and SPH would take a 40% share in
MediaCorp Press which publishes Today newspaper. |
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But, all is not lost as Today will be
incorporating the Streats name in its masthead and it will continue to be managed by MediaCorp.
It will operate independently of the stable of newspapers under SPH. |
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In his last editorial for Streats yesterday,
Streats editor Paul Jansen remarked that "It's the end of the road for the
paper, but not for the majority of the staff of 44. Ninety per cent have been
given jobs elsewhere in Singapore Press Holdings. So you will still be able to
read...and still be able to enjoy the musings of our reporters..." |
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He continued, "Neither is it the end of the road
for you, our reader. You have been exposed to a new thing - a paper with a
heart. This is in our DNA. Which is why we devoted so much space to people who
we felt deserved to be recognised for their pathbreaking ways, though they
lacked the scale of achievement required by other media before inclusion in
their daily round-ups. And we did this throughout the paper..." |
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Sources: |
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"It's goodbye, after four fulfilling years" by
Paul Jansen, Streats on the Web 31 Dec
2004 |
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Media Development Authority Press Release
6 Dec 2004 |
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Singapore
Press Holdings Press Release 17 Sep 2004 |
Hello 2005; Goodbye Streats
