SPH launches Money FM 89.3, Singapore's first business radio station

SINGAPORE Press Holdings (SPH) launched the English-language Money FM 89.3 on Monday, offering Singapore's first and only business and personal finance radio station.

The new station by SPH Radio will not only focus on financial bulletins, but also cover general news, lifestyle and trending topics.

"What is going to make the programmes more engaging is that we're going to have a lot of external guests, analysts, industry leaders, so listeners get to hear from business leaders instead of just listening from us," said SPH Radio's general manager Sim Hong Huat at the launch.

"Very importantly, our backbone is actually our newsrooms, getting content from our own Business Times and Straits Times newsrooms, getting journalists on the show... so these are some of the unique stuff that I think nobody else would have," he added.

Money FM 89.3 is targeted at professionals aged 35 years and above, who take an interest in everyday personal finance matters, from responsible saving to sensible investing, and retirement planning.

Mr Sim expects break-even to be achieved within three to four years. The station is also targeting to exceed a weekly cumulative listenership of 300,000 listeners within the next two years.

There are currently 13 people in the programming team, and the station expects to increase headcount by about three to four in the next financial year.

Asked how SPH's latest radio station will fit into the company's overall strategy, Mr Sim said: "Increasingly we are doing a lot of integrated marketing and content for our clients, and this will be a very important part of the integrated mix."

"When it comes to news, it's very much on the fly. You need immediacy and radio is the media that gives you that immediacy," he added.

Separately, assistant programme director of Money FM 89.3, Loretta Lopez said: "Everyone has worked extremely hard to get to this, our first day. Now the real work begins! Getting behind the story, deep diving into issues and constantly talking to our listeners about subject matters close to their hearts. Whether you're a business owner, investor, homeowner, career seeker, we're truly excited to start this journey with you."

"There's something meaningful for everyone," she added.

Listeners tuning in to the station today heard from ex-minister Teo Ser Luck who has been involved in several start-ups since leaving the government (at 2pm); as well as swimming legend Ang Peng Siong, who spoke about the business of an athlete, and whether it was sustainable.