Mediacorp announced in a statement on Wednesday ( Aug 28 ) that the digital media outlet TODAY will merge with the CNA digital newsroom starting on October 1.
After the acquisition, Now will become the modern long-form weekends magazine of CNA.
The merger, according to Mediacorp, will permit the best of TODAY, its high-quality unique journalism, to be delivered to the considerably larger CNA audience both in Singapore and abroad via CNA’s online platform. ”
Every weekend, TODAY will concentrate on producing scientific articles on current topics under the renowned Big Read brand, ground-up news articles, and compelling animal interest interviews and opinions pieces.
These will enhance CNA’s recent lineup of daily digital offerings, increase traffic, and increase customer engagement, especially on weekends.
“This consolidation comes in a post-COVID environment defined by a global boom in media stress coupled with effective media avoidance, ” said Mediacorp editor-in-chief Walter Fernandez.
These changes have been exacerbated by algorithm changes that have altered some social media platforms ‘ algorithms, which have shifted news’s focus away from discoverability. Over the past two decades, the clash between the Immediately and CNA online viewers has also increased tremendously. ”
No employees will be eliminated as a result of the consolidation. CNA may offer positions to all TODAY employees.
Now was initially launched in soon 2000 as a paper, with a goal to “Set You Thinking”.
Within six decades, it was the next most commonly read daily newspapers in Singapore, across all cultures.
It discontinued its print book in 2017 making it the first newspapers in Singapore to adopt a completely online future.
Since then, it has gained both domestic and international recognition as a reliable news source with a lighthearted tone of voice, especially among the young.
For its short-form videos on TikTok and its website seminar line on the results of its Annual Youth Survey, Now has gained acclaim internationally over the past few years. Additionally, TODAY has won regional awards for its protection of the COVID-19 epidemic and its financial monitoring.
Mediacorp’s chief business agent, Jacqui Lim, stated in the statement to the numerous long-standing advertisers in Now that they would be provided with aggressive, alternative advertising options across the Mediacorp system, including the news brands CNA, 8 World, Berita, and Seithi.
She added: “This proper move reflects our long-standing devotion to an audience-first method for advertisers.
We are continually improving our products to assure we have a wide range of creative solutions. Manufacturers and advertisers who work with us you anticipate significant and relevant media and content opportunities within our incorporated portfolio. ”