In a further consolidation of local Connecticut newspapers, Hearst Connecticut Media Group has announced acquisition of the print and digital assets of seven area weekly newspaper brands from Ridgefield-based Hersam Acorn Newspapers (HAN.)
The seven weeklies acquired by Hearst Connecticut Media. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Acorn Newspapers photo
Hearst, which owns the Westport News, gets The Ridgefield Press, The Wilton Bulletin, New Canaan Advertiser, The Darien Times, The Shelton Herald, The Trumbull Times, and The Milford Mirror.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
HAN announced last week it was closing the Easton Courier, Monroe Courier, Redding Pilot, Stratford Star, and Weston Forum. The announcement immediately set off speculation the balance of its newspapers would likely be sold.
Hearst owns competing weeklies in at least three of these communities — Darien News, New Canaan News, and The Greater New Milford Spectrum.
There was no word on how many jobs are affected. When Hearst acquired the Westport and Fairfield Minuteman newspapers in June 2017 and shut them down five months later, all but one journalist lost their jobs.
Hearst publishes eight daily newspapers in the region — the Connecticut Post, New Haven Register, Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time, Norwalk Hour, Middletown Press, Register Citizen of Torrington, and The News-Times of Danbury .
In addition to its weeklies, Hearst Connecticut Media also manages 29 websites, including sites for all of its news outlets, as well as TowerDigitalAgency.com, CTHouseHunter.com and InGearCT.com, and four magazines, including Connecticut Magazine.
“Hearst Connecticut Media Group is committed to delivering the highest standard of reporting across local communities in our state,” Paul Barbetta, group publisher and president, said in a statement. “This acquisition furthers our ability to serve consumers and advertisers in one of the country’s top markets.”
In a joint statement, HAN co-owners Martin Hersam and Thomas Nash said, “Hersam Acorn Newspapers is grateful to have served the readers of Fairfield County over the years. We are certain Hearst Newspapers’ Connecticut Media Group will continue to provide the same committed service.”
