The Business Times

What The Business Times does

The Business Times (BT) is a Singapore-based financial daily newspaper founded in 1976 and owned by SPH Media, marking its 50th anniversary in 2026. The publication delivers corporate, financial, economic, and political news, analysis, and commentary across print and digital platforms, primarily serving C-suite executives, senior business leaders, and decision-makers in Singapore and the broader ASEAN region. Its core product suite spans the main newspaper, digital platforms, the BT Global regional intelligence initiative (launched January 2026), the Asean Intelligence annual survey conducted with Kantar, two podcast series (Money Hacks, Lens on Singapore), and recurring enterprise awards including the Singapore Business Awards (with DHL), Sustainability Impact Awards (with UOB), and Enterprise 50 Awards.

The Business Times generates revenue primarily through advertising across print and digital platforms, supplemented by subscription and content access revenue from individual readers and enterprise clients. Distribution operates across four channels: domestic print circulation, the BT Global digital platform, smart TV applications across partner hotel groups, and QR-code-enabled content access in 200+ hotel properties on six continents through partnerships with Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Frasers Property, Frasers Hospitality, Ascott Ltd, and Millennium Hotels and Resorts. The company has limited disclosed technology infrastructure beyond its AI-curated Simplified Chinese content tool launched in 2026, positioning itself primarily as a content publisher and events organizer rather than a technology platform. Strategic positioning emphasizes a uniquely ASEAN regional lens as differentiation from Western financial media, with sector-specific forums in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City anchoring BT Global's regional expansion.

Name

The Business Times

Legal name

The Business Times Newspaper

Website

https://thebusinesstimes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Business Times is Singapore's premier financial daily, founded in 1976 and owned by SPH Media. It serves C-suite executives and senior business leaders across ASEAN with print, digital, podcasts, the BT Global regional initiative, and enterprise events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business News Publishing

NAICS

Newspaper Publishers (513110), Periodical Publishers (513120), Periodical Publishers (51312)

SIC

Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Business, Financial & Trade News Publishers (MPAJADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

National & General-Interest Newspapers (Print & Digital) (MPAJADAA), Digital Newsstand & Aggregation Platforms (Magazine/News Apps, Bundles) (MPAJAKAE), Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines (MPAJAEAM)

Keywords

• Business news publishing
• Financial journalism
• Digital news media
• Market analysis reporting
• Premium content subscription

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Advertising revenue: The Business Times generates primary revenue through advertising across its print and digital platforms, serving businesses targeting Singapore and ASEAN business audiences.
2. Subscription and content access: Revenue generated from readers subscribing to access premium business journalism and analysis across print and digital formats.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Business Times publishes daily corporate, financial, economic, and political news, analysis, and commentary across print and digital platforms, serving Singapore's and ASEAN's business communities. Its core offering has expanded beyond the flagship newspaper to include the BT Global regional business intelligence initiative, the Asean Intelligence annual research report, financial podcasts, and digital distribution through hotel partnerships and smart TV applications. Revenue is generated through advertising sales to enterprises targeting business audiences and subscription fees from individual readers.

Product overview

The Business Times (BT), Singapore's premier financial daily owned by SPH Media, operates as a multi-platform business news organization with a 50-year legacy. The core offering is the main newspaper providing business and financial news, supplemented by The Business Times Global (BT Global) initiative launched January 2026 for regional business intelligence. Key sub-products include the Asean Intelligence survey research, Money Hacks and Lens on Singapore podcasts, the Sustainability Impact Awards and Enterprise 50 Awards, plus digital distribution through QR code hotel partnerships (200+ properties globally), Smart TV availability, and an AI-curated Simplified Chinese content tool. The company also maintains charitable initiatives through the BT Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) and event sponsorships including the Singapore Open golf tournament.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BT Global: A new regional business intelligence initiative launched January 2026 dedicated to covering global and regional business developments through a South-east Asian lens, offering ASEAN Intelligence surveys, sector-specific forums, and curated content series.
• Asean Intelligence
• Money Hacks
• Lens on Singapore

Products and services

• The Business Times (Main Newspaper) Singapore's flagship financial daily newspaper providing daily corporate, financial, economic, and political news, analysis, and commentary for business professionals and decision-makers across print and digital platforms. Owned by SPH Media.
• The Business Times Global (BT Global) Regional business intelligence initiative dedicated to covering global and regional business developments through a Southeast Asian lens, offering the Asean Intelligence survey, sector-specific forums in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, and curated content series including 'Behind The Name' and 'The Leadership Playbook'.
• Asean Intelligence 2026 Proprietary survey-based research report polling over 500 C-suite and senior business leaders across ASEAN-6 economies, providing quantitative insights on investment trends, AI adoption, supply chain strategies, and regional business outlook.
• Money Hacks Podcast Financial literacy podcast featuring discussions on liquidity, CPF changes, investment strategies, and personal finance topics relevant to Singapore professionals and consumers.
• Lens on Singapore Podcast Podcast featuring government ministers and policymakers discussing Singapore's Economic Strategy Review, workforce transformation, and economic policy developments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Survey of 500+ business leaders across ASEAN-6 economies providing investment and AI adoption insights
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• KantarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Market research partnership for the Asean Intelligence 2026 report. Kantar conducted a survey of over 500 C-suites and senior business leaders across ASEAN-6 economies, providing the quantitative foundation for BT's flagship annual regional business intelligence publication.
• DHLcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Long-standing co-organization of the Singapore Business Awards recognizing excellence in corporate management and entrepreneurial achievements among Singapore-based companies.
• UOBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2026Joint organization of the Sustainability Impact Dialogue on May 18, 2026, at SPH Auditorium exploring energy security, affordability, and sustainability in Asia amid volatile energy markets and geopolitical tensions.
• Singapore Golf AssociationflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 March 2026Presenting partnership for the Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa Golf Club, April 23-26, 2026, as part of BT's 50th anniversary celebrations marking the newspaper's evolution into a regional and international news source.
• Asian Tour / The International SeriesflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 March 2026Partnership with Asian Tour's International Series schedule for the Singapore Open, with BT as presenting partner. The tournament offers US$2 million prize purse and serves as a pathway to the LIV Golf League.
• Sentosa Golf ClubflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 March 2026Venue partnership for the Singapore Open at the Serapong course, with BT as presenting partner. The tournament showcased Singapore's growing status as a global sporting hub.
• SPH MediacoreOthers · 26 January 2026Parent company and publishing platform for The Business Times. SPH Media launched The Business Times Global (BT Global) initiative on January 26, 2026, dedicated to covering global and regional business developments through a South-east Asian lens.
• Standard CharteredcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Co-organization of the closed-door roundtable 'Invest with Clarity Amid Shifting Currents' on January 19, 2026, bringing together investment experts to discuss navigating volatile market conditions.
• Pan Pacific Hotels GroupflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Strategic hospitality partnership placing BT QR codes in hotel properties, enabling business travelers to access curated news content via in-room TVs and common area displays. Part of BT's 50th anniversary celebrations and global expansion strategy.
• Frasers PropertyflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Hospitality group enabling BT content distribution to business travelers across their properties through QR code placement, supporting BT's evolution from Singapore financial daily to regional business news title.
• Frasers HospitalityflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Serviced residence operator participating in BT's hotel content partnership, extending BT's reach to international business travelers seeking regional business intelligence.
• Ascott LtdflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026International serviced residence operator enabling BT content access for business travelers through QR codes in properties across six continents.
• Millennium Hotels and ResortsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026International hotel group partner in BT's content distribution initiative, providing business travelers access to curated regional news and market analysis.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Reuters: Global news wire and consumer financial news site with strong Asia-Pacific bureaux. Competes with BT for breaking business news, B2B licensing, and C-suite readership, but is more wire-service oriented and less focused on Singapore-domestic business.
• The Straits Times: Singapore's flagship English-language general newspaper, also owned by SPH Media. Sister publication to BT within SPH Media's portfolio, sharing distribution, sales, and digital platforms; competes for Singapore advertising and reader attention, but covers general news rather than business-focused content.
• Forbes Asia: Regional edition of Forbes covering Asian business, wealth, and entrepreneurship. Comparable as a premium business brand targeting C-suite readers and high-net-worth individuals across Asia, with overlapping advertising and events monetization.
• Bloomberg News: Global financial news and data powerhouse with deep Asia coverage, serving both consumer subscribers and enterprise terminals. Overlaps with BT's business journalism, advertising, and events but operates at vastly larger scale with proprietary data terminals as a moat.

Regional players

• Caixin: Leading Chinese business news brand with English-language edition targeting international business readers. Comparable as a regional business news brand with strong enterprise and financial institution readership, though primarily China-focused rather than ASEAN-focused.
• South China Morning Post: Hong Kong-based regional news publication covering business and general news across Asia. Comparable in scale and audience overlap with regional executives, though broader in coverage and headquartered outside BT's Singapore base.

Direct peers

• Financial Times: Global business daily targeting elite business readers with premium subscriptions and B2B advertising. Directly comparable to BT as a business-focused news brand serving C-suite decision-makers, though with significantly larger international reach and subscription scale.
• CNA (Channel NewsAsia): Singapore-based business and general news broadcaster and digital publisher with strong regional reach. Competes with BT for business news audience in Singapore and ASEAN, including B2B advertising and digital subscriptions, with a multi-format (TV + digital) approach.
• Nikkei Asia: Asia-focused business news publication backed by Nikkei (parent of Financial Times). Directly competes with BT for regional business readership in Asia, with a similar regional lens but Japanese ownership and broader Asia (not just ASEAN) coverage.
• The Wall Street Journal (Asia edition): Flagship US business daily with substantial Asia-Pacific coverage and paid digital subscriptions. Competes directly with BT for premium advertising and subscription dollars from Singapore-based C-suite executives and institutional readers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thebusinesstimes
• Xx.com/BTBreakingnews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-business-times

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Business Times