Toronto Star to Launch Digital Tablet Edition Based on the La Presse+ Platform Technology

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 5, 2014) - The Toronto Star and La Presse announced today they have reached an agreement in principle to develop a new tablet edition for the Toronto Star.

The Toronto Star digital tablet edition, which will be based on the La Presse+ news platform technology, is expected to be launched in the fall of 2015. Similar to La Presse+, it will present news and information in an intuitive and interactive environment that blends the best of print, web, mobile and video.

The agreement will also allow the Toronto Star and La Presse to share a common tablet technology and to offer attractive, joint marketing opportunities to national advertisers who desire access to an important critical mass of French and English readers.

"This is another important step forward for our industry," John Cruickshank, Publisher of the Toronto Star and President of Star Media Group, said. "The new tablet edition will be a key element of our multi-platform evolution. We are encouraged and impressed by the reception of La Presse+, which has attracted a highly engaged younger audience."

La Presse introduced its digital tablet edition in April 2013. Since its launch, La Presse+ has proven to be a highly popular media that is appreciated by its readers for its editorial and advertising content.

"We are excited and proud to share the La Presse+ tablet technology with the Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper. Together, we are leading the digital transformation of news media," Guy Crevier, President and Publisher of La Presse, said.

"The technology developed for La Presse+ offer publishers the tools to bring today's readers a new customized, interactive and attractive tablet product that meets their need for news about the world around them and for information that can help them in their daily lives, from entertainment to health and finance and much more," Crevier added.

The parties are working on definitive documentation and expect to begin development soon.

About the Toronto Star and thestar.com

The Toronto Star, founded in 1892, is read in print and online (thestar.com) by approximately 3 million readers every week. The Toronto Star is a division of Star Media Group, which includes Toronto.com, Torstar Syndication Services and The Kit, a fashion and beauty publication. Star Media Group also includes the Metro free daily newspapers in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Winnipeg and the jointly-owned Chinese language newspaper Sing Tao. Star Media Group is a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, which is a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation.

About La Presse:

La Presse, Canada's French-language news medium of record, is distributed on several platforms, including a digital edition for tablets, mobile applications, the Web and paper. Its content features distinctive, rich and diversified coverage of news and current events. The recipient of numerous awards for the quality of its content and its design, La Presse is also known for its in-depth series and special reports, as well as for the large amount of space it devotes to discussion and debate. La Presse+, its free digital edition, fully leverages the multi-function capabilities of iPad and Android tablets to deliver the most comprehensive news and information experience ever from Quebec's largest newsroom.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements that reflect management's expectations regarding Torstar's future growth, financial performance and business prospects and opportunities as of the date of this press release. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "forecast", "expect", "intend", "would", "could", "if", "may" and similar expressions. This press release includes, among others, forward-looking statements regarding the Toronto Star's expected development and launch, including the timing thereof, of the Toronto Star digital tablet edition. All such statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements reflect current expectations of management regarding future events and operating performance, and speak only as of the date of this release. In addition, forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is a significant risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections will not prove to be accurate, that management's assumptions may not be accurate and that actual results, performance or achievements may differ significantly from such predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, outlooks, expectations, goals, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to the Toronto Star's ability to negotiate and agree on definitive documentation and to integrate the technology. We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible factors, as other factors could adversely affect our results. In addition, a number of assumptions, were applied in making the forward-looking statements set forth in this press release. Some of the key assumptions include, without limitation, assumptions regarding the successful development and launch of the Toronto Star digital tablet edition. There is a risk that some or all of these assumptions may prove to be incorrect.

When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Torstar and its securities, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Torstar does not intend, and disclaims any obligation to, update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, or whether as a result of new information or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

For more information, please see the discussion of risks affecting Torstar and its businesses in Torstar's 2013 Management's Discussion & Analysis which has been filed on www.sedar.com and is available on Torstar's corporate website www.torstar.com.