World-renowned UK newspapers to begin printing in UAE on May 21

First English-language daily to have widespread same-day distribution in the region

Dubai, May 16, 2007: The Times and The Sunday Times, two of the most respected and influential newspapers in the world, will publish their international editions in the Middle East starting on May 21. The move marks the first time a leading international daily is printed and distributed widely in the region on the day of publication, and the arrival of the UK papers is expected to have a significant impact on the Middle East media market.

Licensing for The Times and Sunday Times in the region has been acquired by Saudi-based SAB Media. The paper will be published seven days a week and will be available in retail outlets or by subscription. The international editions are edited in London and will be printed in the UAE.

"We are proud to announce that we will be available daily in a region that is destined to play an ever more influential role in the world," commented Robert Thomson, Editor of The Times. He continued, "Since 1798, when The Times first reported Napoleon's arrival in Egypt, we have invested heavily in our reporting from the region and we now have one of the largest networks of reporters in the Middle East. Printing in Dubai is a very important milestone and we look forward to providing intelligent, informative and entertaining news, comment and analysis for many new readers in the region."

John Witherow, Editor of The Sunday Times, added: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to extend the availability of The Sunday Times across this important region. We are proud of our reputation for delivering news and analysis to an intelligent and thoughtful audience. There are over 3.5 million weekly readers of The Sunday Times and this figure will increase further through our partnership with SAB Media in the Middle East."

The Times in the Middle East will contain the depth and breadth of coverage that has become the newspaper's trademark over its 220-year history. Long regarded as required reading for political and business leaders, The Times and The Sunday Times combine objective news reporting with hard-hitting political analysis, lively commentary and incisive business reporting. A recent survey found The Times to be the most trusted newspaper in the UK.  It has one of the largest pools of foreign correspondents, with reporters based in locations around the world, including Beijing, Baghdad, Bombay, Delhi, Madrid, Moscow, New York, Paris, Tokyo and Washington.

The Sunday Times edition provides analysis of the week's news stories, along with expanded coverage of sports, entertainment, lifestyle, food, travel and the arts. The Sunday Times will feature the Culture magazine, reflecting the paper's goal to be as engaging as it is informative. The Times and Sunday Times columnists in particular are known for their provocative and often witty takes on anything from politics and business to arts, sport and the maddening details of modern life.

"One reason we're excited to have the license to publish The Times and The Sunday Times here is the broad appeal," said Tariq Qureishy, CEO, SAB Media. "With The Times and The Sunday Times, we offer advertisers a way to reach the region's political and business elite, along with an educated and engaged English-speaking audience. From a branding standpoint, The Times name sells itself. There is not another publication that can touch it, in terms of recognition and respect."

 The Times will give regional power brokers a preview of the paper's Middle East coverage at the World Economic Forum in Jordan, taking place from May 18 to 20. As well as having specialist reporters on the ground and a network of correspondents in Amman, Beirut, Istanbul, Jerusalem and Baghdad, the paper will distribute a special supplement, which will explore such topics as the fate of Iraq and how new leaders in France, Israel and Britain will shape policy in the region.

The international edition will be published seven days a week, at 64 pages, with a 96-page Saturday edition and the 96-page broadsheet Sunday Times.  In the UAE, the retail rate will be AED 7 for the daily edition and AED 15 for The Sunday Times; subscription rates will be AED 5 for the daily and AED 12 for the Sunday paper, with comparable rates around the region. 

SAB Media is a part of SAB Holding. The company specializes in providing media interfaces and corporate marketing, which includes publishing.

-Ends-

About The Times:
The Times is one of the world's most famous newspapers, renowned for its ability to deliver accurate, intelligent and engaging information. The Times offers its readers news, features, comment and analysis on a wide range of subjects from politics and business to health, the arts and sport. It has a circulation of more than 650,000 copies and a daily readership of 1.8million people.

The Sunday Times is Britain's most successful and innovative broadsheet newspaper. It is renowned for the courage of its investigative journalism, the authority of its opinion pages, the indispensability of its news and business coverage and the breadth and depth of its features. The paper sells nearly 1.3 million copies a week and has a readership of 3.5million.

Times Online (www.timesonline.co.uk) is the website of The Times and The Sunday Times, providing live news, sport and business as well as publishing two of the world's best-known newspapers online. It offers a wide range of services including the subscription service, Times archive, the Crossword Club, Times Law Reports, news alerts and free breakfast news, as well as personal finance and travel offers via e-mail bulletins. The travel, property, motoring, business, personal finance and sports sections of TimesOnline combine the best of The Times and Sunday Times with online-only content and services.

The Times and Times Online are part of Times Newspaper Ltd (TNL) a subsidiary of News International Ltd 

About SAB Holding:
SAB Holding is committed to its part in the development of a thriving, competitive Middle East market through the facilitation and representation of leading international brands in the region, providing services in industries as diverse as media, telecommunications, technology, entertainment, real estate and oil and gas. SAB Media is part of SAB Holding and provides media interfaces, corporate marketing and publishing services.

For further information, please contact:
Jonathan Tudor/Tania Harasimiuk
ASDA'A Public Relations
T: +971 4 3344550
F: +971 4 3356080

© Press Release 2007