Singapore Press : Listen to news from The Straits Times, The Business Times and Money FM 89.3 on Google Home

Singapore, 18 April 2018 - Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), the leading media company in Singapore, has tied up with tech giant Google to deliver news to audiences in an innovative way.

Users of Google Home devices will be able to listen to news and podcasts from The Straits Times, The Business Times and SPH Radio's MONEY FM 89.3 (MoneyFM) by issuing commands to the voice-enabled smart speakers. Users simply need to download the Google Home app, set their device language to 'English (Singapore)' and say: 'Ok Google, listen to news from The Straits Times' or 'Hey Google, play me the news from The Business Times.' They can also set The Straits Times or The Business Times as their preferred news providers to ensure they receive the latest news from these titles.

From 20 April 2018, new subscribers to either The Straits Times All-Digital package or The Straits Times All-Digital + Print package will receive a special gift in the form of a Google Home Mini. Alternatively, they can choose to top up $79 instead to receive a Google Home, which is larger in size and boasts better audio quality.

Google Home, a range of voice-enabled speakers powered by the Google Assistant, will hit the shelves in Singapore on 20 April. It allows users to listen to news feeds, music, radio and audiobooks hands-free, and also offers responses to spoken questions.

SPH will provide four audio feeds for Google Home:

1. A news bulletin from The Straits Times, presented by MoneyFM;
2. A financial news bulletin from The Business Times, presented by MoneyFM;
3. A podcast by The Straits Times; and
4. A segment called Need to Know, which offers tips on career development and personal growth, presented by Business Insider Singapore and MoneyFM.

Mr Anthony Tan, Deputy CEO of SPH, said: 'SPH is constantly experimenting to improve our user experience and to bring our audiences the news and content they need in fresh and innovative formats. Voice-enabled technology is the latest frontier and we see a lot of potential to use it to increase our engagement with audiences. We are delighted to collaborate with Google on this initiative and congratulate them on the launch of Google Home, alongside our strategic partner StarHub, in Singapore.'

Ms Stephanie Davis, Country Director for Google Singapore said, 'Keeping up with the news and latest happenings around the world is a must-do for Singaporeans, and we are here to provide hands-free help through the power of the Google Assistant. As we launch the Google Home and Home Mini here, we are delighted to continue our close partnership with Singapore Press Holdings, to provide new ways of delivering trusted and relevant information to Singaporeans wherever they are - be it on the go, or within the comfort of their homes.'

Ms Sumiko Tan, Managing Editor of SPH's English/Malay/Tamil Media (EMTM) group and Executive Editor of The Straits Times, said: 'People get news through different platforms these days. We're very excited to be working with Google Home on this voice-enabled initiative.'

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd

Co Regn. No. 198402868E

For more information, please contact:

Vanni Cheong

Assistant Manager

Corporate Communications & CSR

Singapore Press Holdings Ltd

Tel: 6319 1553

Email: cvanni@sph.com.sg

About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd

Incorporated in 1984, main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is Asia's leading media organisation, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms.

SPH's core business is publishing of newspapers, magazines and books in both print and digital editions. It also owns other digital products, online classifieds, radio stations and outdoor media.

On the property front, SPH owns 70% in a real estate investment trust called SPH REIT which comprises Paragon, a premier upscale retail mall and medical suite/office property in Orchard Road and The Clementi Mall, a mid-market suburban mall. SPH also owns and operates The Seletar Mall. It is developing a new commercial cum residential site at Woodleigh. It also has a stake in Chinatown Point.

It is in the aged care sector and owns Orange Valley, Singapore's largest private nursing home operator.

SPH runs a regional events arm and a chain of Buzz retail outlets. It also invested in the education business.

For more information, please visit www.sph.com.sg