South China Morning Post Announces Removal of SCMP.com Paywall

HONG KONG, April 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- South China Morning Post Publishers Limited, Asia's leading media company, announced today that the online and mobile editions of the South China Morning Post will be free to access with effect from 6pm 5^th April, 2016. This follows the completion of Alibaba Group's (NYSE: BABA) acquisition of the 113 year-old South China Morning Post and its associated media assets, from SCMP Group Limited (Stock code: 583). 

Concurrent to the paywall removal, a new SCMP Mobile app has been launched. The improved app offers new features including search, personalization, faster loading time, deep linking from social media and easy navigation. It is available on Apple App Store, Google Play and Windows Mobile for immediate download.   

Robin Hu, CEO of the South China Morning Post Publishers, said "Alibaba Group's vision of bringing together SCMP's heritage and editorial strength together with its technological prowess offers an assuring roadmap for SCMP's passage into the digital realm with enhanced clarity and boosted confidence."  Tammy Tam, Editor-in-Chief of the South China Morning Post added, "With the paywall removal, it paves the way for the SCMP to grow its readership globally.  It is our firm belief that as China plays an increasingly critical role in world politics and the economy, a global community of China stakeholders will demand insightful and trusted news and commentaries from a within-the-region perspective."

The acquisition, which received approval from the SCMP Group's shareholders at a Special General Meeting on 14 March, encompasses the SCMP Group's current media assets. This includes the South China Morning Post, the Sunday Morning Post, digital platforms SCMP.com and related mobile apps, the two Chinese websites Nanzao.com and Nanzaozhinan.com, the Group's magazine portfolio, recruitment, outdoor media, events & conferences, education and digital media businesses.  The magazine portfolio includes HK Magazine and the Hong Kong editions of Esquire, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, The PEAK, Harper's BAZAAR and their extension titles. The listed company SCMP Group Limited will be renamed Armada Holdings Limited (Stock code: 583) following an affirmative shareholder vote in March.

While content on SCMP's digital platforms is free to read, the SCMP newspaper as well as the ePaper version, a PDF replica of the SCMP newspaper, will continue to be subscription-based.

About South China Morning Post Publishers Limited

South China Morning Post Publishers Limited is a leading newspaper and magazine publisher in Asia. Its flagship publication, the South China Morning Post, is Hong Kong's internationally recognised English language newspaper and has the city's most affluent and influential readership.

First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Available in print, mobile, tablets and online through scmp.com and e-reader editions, the South China Morning Post reaches a global audience with daily breaking news, analysis and opinion, multimedia articles and interactive forums. The South China Morning Post received 160 awards in 2015-16 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capabilities. Other titles in the Group include the Sunday Morning Post, Nanzao.com, Nanzaozhinan.com, STYLE, Destination Macau, The PEAK, HK Magazine and The List.

Through the joint venture partnership with Hearst, SCMP Hearst publishes the Chinese editions of Cosmopolitan, CosmoBride, Harper's BAZAAR, Harper's BAZAAR Art, Harper's BAZAAR Bride, Esquire, ELLE, ELLE Men, ELLE Wedding, ELLE Decoration, and ELLE Accessories; and operates Cosmopolitan.com.hk, Cosmogirl.com.hk, Harpersbazaar.com.hk, ELLE.com.hk and EsquireHK.com in Hong Kong.

For further information please contact: +852-2680-8888, [email protected]

SOURCE South China Morning Post