Singapore Press Holdings (SPH)

[mikh]

if u guys are sph share holders might want to count the number of colored and non colored ads in the newspaper everyday and chart them. that is what CLSA did when i was there to see the no of ads sold.

haha Drizzt, that's interesting. Wonder if it was indeed helpful; although i believe ST has ramped up colour ads availability in recent times.

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SPH is moving towards properties development and thus, previous ways of valuing a defensive company needs to be changed to a cyclical company in a certain extent.

Possibly that's why they got Chong Siak Ching (spelling?) into the board. But she's more industrial property albeit arguably successful at it, and with less conflict of interest...?

[Risk Adverse]

Just a thought, maybe SPH should merge with Mediacorp.
This will create a new media giant that can compete with the likes of Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp.
Look at how successful Capitaland is in regional expansion after merging Pidemco with DBS land.

[Musicwhiz]

Just a thought, maybe SPH should merge with Mediacorp.
This will create a new media giant that can compete with the likes of Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp.
Look at how successful Capitaland is in regional expansion after merging Pidemco with DBS land.

OT - Won't make much of a difference to the way news and media reports stuff. It's all Govt-controlled anyway!

Back to topic though - M&A may not be the most viable method for SPH as it is already a giant, hence it may have problems integrating another giant into its Group. Just my thoughts....

[kazukirai]

Another thought, will there be possible legal constraints to such a merger?

[mikh]

SPH already owns shares in Mediacorp TV - recall post channel U merger. However Mediacorp itself is 100% owned by Temasek. When it comes to national media, there is clearly govt/political consideration/constrains playing a part; not different from how it works in a lot of Asian countries.

btw, i found this useful summary of Temasek companies to share: http://review.temasek.com.sg/wp-content/...panies.pdf

I find CNA interesting and thought they had potential as a pan-Asian broadcaster (something SPH newspapers can't seem to do for political or business reasons). Not sure if they are still making progress or if they've hit any glitch.

[Risk Adverse]

SPH already owns shares in Mediacorp TV - recall post channel U merger. However Mediacorp itself is 100% owned by Temasek. When it comes to national media, there is clearly govt/political consideration/constrains playing a part; not different from how it works in a lot of Asian countries.

btw, i found this useful summary of Temasek companies to share: http://review.temasek.com.sg/wp-content/...panies.pdf

I find CNA interesting and thought they had potential as a pan-Asian broadcaster (something SPH newspapers can't seem to do for political or business reasons). Not sure if they are still making progress or if they've hit any glitch.

Yes, you are right. SPH currently holds a 20% stake in Mediacorp. SPH is stuck as a big fish in a small pond. If it merges with Mediacorp, it can embark on a regional expansion plan to be a Pan Asian media company. This is an audacious idea and needs a bold leader to push it through. Perhaps LHY may fit the bill.

[yeokiwi]

With the kind of reputation that SPH and Mediacorp are having, it would be a miracle if they can make any inroads into any countries.

No reputable newspaper in this world would ever want to be bought over by SPH. Being bought over is as good as destroying the newspaper.

Similarly, no TV station would ever want to merge with Mediacorp.
China used to watch Mediacorp TV production but they probably will laugh at our current productions.
In the mandarin speaking world(the kind of population that the Mediacorp is targeting), Mediacorp has hardly any influence or appeal to the masses.

[Zelphon]

With the kind of reputation that SPH and Mediacorp are having, it would be a miracle if they can make any inroads into any countries.

No reputable newspaper in this world would ever want to be bought over by SPH. Being bought over is as good as destroying the newspaper.

Similarly, no TV station would ever want to merge with Mediacorp.
China used to watch Mediacorp TV production but they probably will laugh at our current productions.
In the mandarin speaking world(the kind of population that the Mediacorp is targeting), Mediacorp has hardly any influence or appeal to the masses.

Yup..

Even locals are only watching Taiwan drama, Korean drama and shunning local productions..

Can someone go explore a way to avoid paying for TV License??

Why can't I have TV at home without watching the Free-To-Air programs and yet gotta pay $110 every year???

Cannot purely watch DVD at home meh?

[mikh]

With the kind of reputation that SPH and Mediacorp are having, it would be a miracle if they can make any inroads into any countries.

No reputable newspaper in this world would ever want to be bought over by SPH. Being bought over is as good as destroying the newspaper.

eh, pardon my ignorance, what's wrong with SPH newspapers? I think they are doing a good job managing content, editorial directon, color etc. Consider too that many of their overseas brethren has lost money. Their challenge is about media moving from print, and of course expanding overseas is about politics etc. But value destroying and bad reputation? What are you refering to?

[Musicwhiz]

My guess is that our ST has a reputation for being the mouthpiece of the ruling party. They are quite "famous" for this and has been lambasted for biased reporting more than a few times. A lot of the articles also have glaring grammatical and spelling errors and poor editing is apparent. It is tough for SPH's newspapers to compare to top-quality publications such as, for instance, New York Times.