BERTRANGE, Luxembourg, Dec. 30, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Metro International S.A. ("Metro"), the international newspaper group, today announced that it has launched its first Portuguese edition in Lisbon.
The Lisbon edition of Metro is being distributed free of charge this morning by hand and from racks at strategic locations in Portugal's capital city, including subway stations through an exclusive distribution contract with Metropolitano de Lisboa. The number of copies will gradually increase to 100,000 in the beginning of 2005.
The first two issues, 30th and 31st of December, will feature regular local, national and international news and a summary of the most important news of 2004.
Metro International is the majority shareholder in the joint venture printing the Lisbon paper with a 65% stake, while Grupo Media Capital, SGPS, SA will control the remaining 35%. Metro will manage the operations while Media Capital will provide editorial content.
Pelle Tornberg, President and CEO, commented: ``This launch reflects the increasing demand from advertisers to reach a new generation of newspaper readers in Europe's largest cities. The partnership with Media Capital is working very well and Metro Lisbon will add further to Metro's unique pan-European footprint"
For further information, please visit www.metro.lu, email info@metro.lu or contact: Pelle Tornberg, President & CEO tel: +44 (0) 20 7016 1300 Henrik Persson, Corporate Communications tel: +46 (0) 8 562 000 87
Metro is the largest and fastest growing international newspaper in the world. 42 daily Metro editions are published in 63 major cities in 17 countries in 16 languages across Europe, North & South America and Asia. Metro has a unique global reach - attracting a young, active, well-educated audience of more than 14.5 million daily readers and over 32 million weekly readers. Metro has an equal number of male and female readers and 70% are under the age of 45. Metro's advertising sales have grown at a compound annual rate of 47% since the launch of the first edition in 1995.
Metro International S.A. `A' and `B' shares are listed on the Stockholmsborsen `O-List' under the symbols MTROA and MTROB.
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