The Peninsula Times began publication on 23 August 1994.[1][2] It was a free English language tabloid newspaper distributed to 200,000 households in the Western Cape, started by entrepreneur Marthinus Strydom. During September 2004, Naspers acquired 70% of the newspaper for an undisclosed amount.
Two editions were available: one for the southern and one for the northern parts of Cape Town. Marthinus Strydom, founder and director of the paper, said that the paper was not out to make a war against the existing dailies in Cape Town. The idea of a new, encompassing tabloid in the Cape was born in 1993 when Strydom was the director of the Northern Times. He approached Naspers at the beginning of 1993, and a deal was made. The newspaper had 32 freelance staff members and 5 full-time journalists. The tabloid featured in-depth investigative reporting, news analysis, and human interest stories.
In 1995, Nasionale Pers acquired the remainder of the shareholding and integrated the newspaper into its other regional free-sheet newspapers.
Current edit
On 20 April 2023, the Croatian businessman Josip Heit took over the The Peninsula Times and the trademark. The The Peninsula Times is published online, appears around the clock seven days a week in five languages and is based at 7th Street in Johannesburg. With its media conglomerate, Heit owns 42 daily newspapers on all continents. [3] [4] [5]
References edit
- ^ http://saldru.lib.msu.edu/dvd8/Ownership%20&%20Control%201994b.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "A new tabloid in die Cape"[permanent dead link],Beeld, Cape Town, 12 September 1994.
- ^ "Josip Heit: 'YAHOO FINANCE - MORNING CHRONICLE: Successful Businessman and Chairman of the GSB Group of Companies, Mr. Josip Heit, Announces an International Media Conglomerate".
- ^ "Nasdaq Stock Market News - NEUE ZÜRCHER NACHRICHTEN talks exclusively to Croatian Billionaire Josip Heit about his media group with 42 daily newspapers on all continents".
- ^ "THE PENINSULA TIMES, Current Website".