Torstar Corporation: More Than Just a Newspaper

Everyone in the Greater Toronto Area has heard of the Toronto Star, whether they like the paper or not (many find it a little left-leaning). However, many might not realize that the Toronto Star is just many companies under the Torstar Corporation (TSX: TS.B).  There are several divisions under the company, including Star Media Group which operates its newspapers.  Publications under this group include the Canadian editions of the free commuter paper, Metro, the Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver editions of the Chinese newspaper, Sing Tao and of course, the Toronto Star (aka The Star).  Torstar Corporation also operates another newspaper division, called Metroland (this is, of course, different from the international parent group of the commuter paper, Metro), which publishes papers like the Hamilton Spectator and the Guelph Mercury. Some Prospere Magazine readers might be interested to know that Harlequin Enterprises is part of the Torstar Corporation.  Harlequin, the company known for its big, dramatic romance novel covers, actually publishes in several different languages, in six continents. In addition to print media, Torstar Corporation also has several web-based operations including Workopolis, an online job search site (which, in my opinion is better than the Canadian version of Monster, especially if you are looking for something beyond entry-level). It is worth noting that the company owns also 20% of CTVglobemedia, which as we know, operates MTV Canada, Much Music, CTV, and the Globe and Mail. Yes, that’s right.  Torstar Corporation indirectly owns part of its competition, The Globe and Mail (aka the Globe).  Historically, the Star was a Liberal paper, while the Globe was Tory.  However, over the past few years, the Globe has become a little more centre, thus closing the left-right gap slightly. 

On Tuesday, December 30, Torstar Corporation opened at 8.07 and closed at 8.25  Its 52-week high and low were 19.20 and 6.69.