SPH Media merges Stomp and The New Paper under refreshed digital platform

SPH Media has merged The New Paper (TNP) and Stomp under a refreshed website that aims to blend bold journalism with community-driven storytelling.

The new platform, which officially launched on 30 October, will retain the Stomp masthead and introduce new features designed to engage younger audiences while keeping long-time readers on board.

In a statement, SPH Media said the merger marks the next step in its ongoing effort to refresh its digital products and strengthen its brands’ relevance.

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“It is timely for us to reshape them to better resonate with our younger audience and reach out to newer readers,” said SPH Media. “The refreshed Stomp harnesses Stomp’s strong digital reach and community-driven content, and TNP’s editorial credibility and heritage in quality and bold journalism, and delivers a richer and more engaging experience for our audiences.” 

“We thank our loyal readers of TNP for their support over the years, and look forward to welcoming them to Stomp, where they can continue to enjoy the stories, insights and distinctive perspectives they know and trust,” added SPH Media.

The move sees TNP, launched in 1988, integrated into Stomp, which first debuted in 2006. The company said the updated format “builds on combined strengths to create something stronger, yet familiar.”

The new site will feature a TNP News section for viral happenings, lifestyle trends, entertainment updates, sports highlights, and in-depth news features. It will also introduce a Deep Dive segment focused on explainers, profiles, and community stories exploring issues that shape everyday life.

Signature Stomp features will continue under the Singapore Seen and Stomping Ground labels, alongside a new Hot Takes section that allows journalists to share their perspectives.

Interactive updates include in-article polls, an AI-powered story summariser, and an “ICYMI” bar highlighting top-performing stories. Reaction and comment functions remain active to encourage reader participation. On social media, Stomp’s Instagram and TikTok pages will see more original and youth-focused content.

Leading the refreshed site is Joy Fang, editor of Stomp and The New Paper, who rejoined SPH Media in April 2025. Fang has previously held editorial roles at My Paper, Today, and MS News. In a note shared on the Stomp site, Fang said the merger was not about phasing out either brand but about evolving them together.

“It’s not about losing either TNP or Stomp,” she said. “It’s about coming together and keeping alive what made them great, the grit, the audacity, the sharp instincts. and carrying that forward into something new.”

Fang added that both titles were products of their time, but their spirit remains vital today. That ethos is reflected in the refreshed Stomp tagline: “Real. Vocal. Impactful.”

“This is the beginning of a new chapter we get to write with you. We will never forget what made both TNP and Stomp so special — and with your voices alongside ours, we’ll create something even stronger," she said. 

TNP’s standalone website will cease operations from 1 December 2025, with its past content available under the new TNP News section on Stomp.

This merger continues a trend of Singapore media outlets consolidating and transforming their digital offerings. In 2021, TNP went fully digital, ending its print edition on 11 December as part of SPH Media’s digital acceleration strategy. Former editor Lim Han Ming said at the time that TNP would continue delivering human interest stories and street-eye perspectives of heartland life.

Similarly, in 2024, Mediacorp merged digital media outlet TODAY with the CNA newsroom. Post-merger, TODAY became CNA’s digital long-form weekend magazine, focusing on analytical features, ground-up news stories, human interest interviews, and opinion pieces, reaching both Singaporean and overseas audiences.

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