'Difficult' farewell for free Chinese tabloid

Free Chinese newspaper Sky Post will end its print edition and publish its last issue on September 15 to pivot into digital media, publisher Hong Kong Economic Times group said.

Launched on July 27, 2011, the tabloid is one of eight local free daily newspapers, published Monday to Friday.

"We would like to thank readers for supporting Sky Post and witness it transform from a free printed newspaper to an online media, in response to market developments," it said on Facebook yesterday.

The online media will enhance coverage in health, entertainment and daily life and provide professional and reliable content and videos for readers, the group added.

It is understood that about 25 print edition staff will be laid off, including editors and reporters of local news, entertainment and international departments.

The group will pay an extra month's salary as compensation in addition to the severance pay, sources said.

A staff member said the human resources department will inform them of the amount of their severance pay after meeting them.

The employee added: "I hadn't imagined it would be so soon" for another publication to wrap up, although staff were informed earlier the group was reviewing its business.

The group's travel and lifestyle magazine, U Magazine, said last week it will cease publishing after the last edition on August 31.

Founded in December 2005, the magazine said it was a difficult but necessary decision to adapt to market developments and achieve the group's digitalization strategy.

The magazine's editorial team will continue posting content and information on its social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Line and Weibo.

Clement So York-kee, a professor in Chinese University's School of Journalism and Communication, said readers are getting their news from their smartphones and advertisement income for free newspapers have plunged.

He said commuters are the main readers of free newspapers, but with changes in reading habits plus the difficulty to hold and flip newspapers in crowded car compartments, "passengers now seldom read newspapers or print publications during a ride, but get information on smartphones instead."

So said the golden era of free newspapers, which mainly provide short news due to limited space, is gone and they could be easily replaced as there is rich information on the internet.

He is also worried the transition might not be successful. So said Sky Post needs to share advertising revenues with online platform operators, despite printing and transportation costs being saved, while more in-depth and unique content are required to attract readers and compete with other online media.

The distribution of Sky Post continued as usual outside World-Wide House in Central yesterday.

A distributor said: "Of course I feel very sad. I will be unemployed soon."

A reader named Law said she liked the newspaper's layout. "I will be a bit disappointed if the print edition is suspended."

Another named Lo said: "It's a pity to lose one more print newspaper. The Metro Daily, which was distributed at MTR stations, is gone and once there were other free newspapers, such as Sharp Daily, but now only four are left."

Hong Kong had eight free newspapers between August 2012 and October 2013.

The city's first, Metro Daily, was launched in April 2002, followed by other free publications, some of which ended operations or turned into online media as they struggled financially against digital media.

After Sky Post ceases its print edition, only Headline Daily, AM 730 and Lion Rock Daily will be the remaining free printed Chinese newspapers. The Standard is the only free printed English newspaper.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com