The merger, if approved, will create the largest Chinese-language media group outside of China and Taiwan. Between them, the three companies have operations in the US, Canada, Indonesia and Cambodia, as well as Hong Kong and Malaysia. "Our ambition is to enter markets where there is a sizeable Chinese population with our print and online products, with a view to move into radio and TV," said Rita Lim, executive director, Sin Chew.
She said the titles, which include Malaysia's largest Chinese-language newspaper Sin Chew Daily, would continue to be independent, exportable brands. No new titles have yet been planned.
Combined, Sin Chew and Nanyang's titles will control a quarter of Malaysia's RM370 million (US$106 million) newspaper advertising market, currently dominated by English-language tabloid The Star, which takes 30 per cent.
Ming Pao's major titles include Ming Pao Daily News and Ming Pao Weekly, available in Hong Kong, Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco and New York. Nanyang publishes China Press, Malaysia's second-largest paper, and 15 Chinese-language magazines.
