Zaobao
Zaobao (联合早报) is Singapore's leading Chinese-language newspaper and digital news platform, operated by Singapore Press Holdings (SGX: T39), serving Chinese-speaking readers in Singapore, the diaspora, and China via web, mobile, e-paper, podcast, and video channels with subscription and advertising revenue.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersSingapore, Singapore
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Zaobao does
Zaobao (联合早报) is Singapore's leading Chinese-language newspaper, established in 1984 and operated as the flagship Chinese-language title of Singapore Press Holdings Limited (新报业媒体有限公司, SGX: T39), a publicly listed diversified media conglomerate. The publication serves Chinese-speaking readers in Singapore, the broader Chinese diaspora, and China, delivering daily news coverage across multiple sections including Singapore news, China news, international affairs, Southeast Asia, finance, entertainment, and lifestyle content. The core editorial product spans hard news, opinion/forum content, and lifestyle verticals such as the dedicated Active Aging (壮龄go!) microsite targeting mature readers.
The underlying platform is a multi-format digital news delivery system comprising the zaobao.com.sg website with three regional editions (Singapore, International, China editions), native iOS and Android mobile applications, an e-paper subscription service, podcast and audio content, video programming including livestream, and topic-selectable newsletter/News Alert delivery. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via digital channels, with e-paper access and membership through subscribe.sph.com.sg and a subscription hotline (63883838). The product suite extends beyond news into adjacent offerings: the Zaobao Club (早报俱乐部) membership program with exclusive benefits, ZShop (ZShop集品店) an online marketplace feature, and the associated Shin Min Daily News (新明日报) sub-brand under SPH.
The business model is a hybrid subscription-and-advertising revenue model built on a B2C readership base. Premium content and e-paper access are gated behind paid subscriptions, while advertising inventory is sold across the multi-platform content surface (web, mobile, video, podcast). Customer engagement is deepened through free Newsletter signup with topic preferences, and tiered membership via Zaobao Club. Geographic reach is concentrated in Singapore with explicit regional editions for international Chinese readers and a maintained editorial office in China, supporting the China edition. Operating geographies span Singapore, China, and global Chinese-diaspora audiences.
Zaobao firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zaobao
- Legal name
- Singapore Press Holdings Limited
- Website
- https://zaobao.com.sg
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Zaobao (联合早报) is Singapore's leading Chinese-language newspaper and digital news platform, operated by Singapore Press Holdings (SGX: T39), serving Chinese-speaking readers in Singapore, the diaspora, and China via web, mobile, e-paper, podcast, and video channels with subscription and advertising revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zaobao industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Chinese-language Digital News Publishing
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (513120)
- SIC
- Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Article & Blog Publishing Platforms (MPAJAMAF)
Keywords
Where Zaobao is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Singapore
- HQ country
- Singapore
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
Zaobao business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Zaobao product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zaobao (联合早报) publishes a daily Chinese-language newspaper and operates a comprehensive digital news platform delivering news, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, and sports content to Chinese-speaking readers in Singapore and internationally. Content is distributed through the zaobao.com.sg website (with Singapore, International, and China editions), iOS and Android mobile applications, e-paper subscriptions, podcasts, video, and newsletters. The platform combines free advertising-supported news access with paid subscription services for premium content and digital editions.
Product overview
Zaobao is a comprehensive Chinese-language news and media platform operated by Singapore Press Holdings. The offering consists of the core Zaobao newspaper (联合早报) delivered through multiple digital channels including e-papers, mobile applications, podcasts, and video content. The platform also includes a membership program (早报俱乐部), breaking news alerts, and lifestyle microsites such as 壮龄go! focused on active aging. Associated publications include the Xin Ming Daily (新明日报). The digital portfolio covers news, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, health, and sports content with both free and subscription-based access models.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 新明日报 (Shin Min Daily): Another Chinese-language newspaper under SPH, covering Singapore news
- 早报俱乐部 (Zaobao Club)
- ZShop集品店
Products and services
- 联合早报 (Zaobao) Digital News Platform Singapore's leading Chinese-language newspaper delivered digitally through the zaobao.com.sg website (with Singapore, International, and China editions) covering news, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, and sports content for Chinese-speaking readers.
- 电子报 (E-Paper) Subscription
Companies that use Zaobao
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Zaobao technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Zaobao partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Zaobao competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Shin Min Daily News (新明日报): Listed as a Zaobao sub-brand and another SPH Chinese-language daily. Operates in the same niche with overlapping audience and SPH-shared back office, making it a closely comparable operating benchmark.
- The Straits Times: SPH's flagship English-language daily and sister title to Zaobao. Directly comparable as a Singapore newspaper of record with shared SPH infrastructure, advertising network, and subscription stack — differing only by language and audience.
- Lianhe Wanbao (联合晚报): SPH's Chinese-language evening newspaper, the most direct comp to Zaobao. Targets the same Chinese-speaking Singapore readership with similar editorial mix, digital distribution, and subscription model — a near-clone comp for benchmarking.
- Ming Pao (明报): Hong Kong-based Chinese-language newspaper with international edition serving the global Chinese diaspora. Comparable as a premium Chinese-language news brand with subscription model and cross-border editorial positioning.
Emerging players
- Mothership: Singapore-headquartered digital-first English-language news publisher. Comparable as a Singapore-market digital news competitor competing for the same advertising and reader-attention pool, though English-focused versus Zaobao's Chinese-language focus.
Regional players
- China Press (中国报): Malaysian Chinese-language newspaper (also under Media Chinese International). Comparable as a traditional Chinese-language newspaper pivoting to digital, with similar subscription and advertising monetization challenges.
- World Journal (世界日報): Leading US-based Chinese-language newspaper serving the North American Chinese diaspora. Comparable in diaspora-focused Chinese-language news subscription model and multi-platform digital strategy.
- Sin Chew Daily (星洲日报): Malaysia's largest Chinese-language newspaper under Media Chinese International. Closest regional comp for Chinese-language news brand, audience profile, and editorial structure — differing primarily by Malaysia focus versus Zaobao's Singapore base.
Broad incumbents
- CNA (Channel NewsAsia): Singapore-based English-language news broadcaster with digital platform and subscription offering. Comparable as a Singapore-headquartered multi-language news brand with regional reach and digital subscription stack.
- Lianhe Zaobao International Edition / China Daily: China state-backed English/Chinese international newspaper with global distribution. Comparable in cross-border Chinese-language news ambition and scale, but state-backed and broader in scope than Zaobao's Singapore-centric model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Zaobao social profiles
Digital presenceZaobao financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zaobao leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Zaobao funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zaobao M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zaobao
What does Zaobao do?
Zaobao (联合早报) publishes a daily Chinese-language newspaper and operates a comprehensive digital news platform delivering news, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, and sports content to Chinese-speaking readers in Singapore and internationally. Content is distributed through the zaobao.com.sg website (with Singapore, International, and China editions), iOS and Android mobile applications, e-paper subscriptions, podcasts, video, and newsletters. The platform combines free advertising-supported news access with paid subscription services for premium content and digital editions.
Is Zaobao a public or private company?
Zaobao is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Zaobao founded?
Zaobao was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Zaobao based?
Zaobao is headquartered in Singapore, Singapore, in the Asia region.
Who are Zaobao's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Shin Min Daily News (新明日报), The Straits Times, Lianhe Wanbao (联合晚报) and Ming Pao (明报). Mothership is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are China Press (中国报), World Journal (世界日報) and Sin Chew Daily (星洲日报). Broad incumbents are CNA (Channel NewsAsia) and Lianhe Zaobao International Edition / China Daily.
Does Zaobao have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zaobao.
What industry is Zaobao in?
Zaobao's product category is Chinese-language Digital News Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAMAF, Online Article & Blog Publishing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 513120 and its SIC code is 2711.