Jan – March 2025Back to News

DV&A tracked the sale of 32 newspaper titles across 12 deals in Q1 of 2025

One of the most high-profile newspaper transaction in years took place in this year’s first quarter, with Hearst’s acquisition of the Austin American-Statesman. Widely regarded as a pillar of Texas journalism, the Statesman has earned accolades such as Texas Newspaper of the Year (three times), a 2023 Public Service Pulitzer finalist nod, and a 2024 Edward R. Murrow Award. Its sale from Gannett to Hearst marks a major strategic move for both companies, and the biggest single-paper sale tracked in recent years.
Comparing newspaper sales year-over-year in Q1 can be a bit misleading. In 2024, we tracked 163 titles sold in nine deals, driven largely by the large-scale sale of Black Press Media to Carpenter Media Group. While 2025 hasn’t seen deals of that magnitude, the number of transactions has already exceeded last year’s total for the same period.
Once again, Carpenter Media Group led in title volume, acquiring 13 publications across two separate deals so far this year. Other active buyers this quarter include major players like Hearst, regional groups such as Paxton Media Group and Moser Community Media, and local individuals, who were behind two of the 12 recorded transactions.
Details of publicly disclosed first-quarter deals include:

January 2025
Carpenter Media Group Acquires Enterprise Media Group

Carpenter Media Group (CMG) acquired Enterprise Media Group (EMG), a community media and printing company headquartered in Blair, Nebraska.
The Nebraska-based publications include The Enterprise, Pilot-Tribune, Arlington Citizen, Oakland Independent, Lyons Mirror-Sun, West Point News, and Wisner News Chronicle. The Iowa-based titles are Mapleton Press, Missouri Valley Times-News, and The Dunlap Reporter.
In addition to its publishing operations, EMG offers digital printing and graphic design services, including full-color printing and direct mail solutions. EMG, a sixth-generation family-owned company, had been led by Mark Rhoades and his son, Chris Rhoades.

Boston Globe Media Brings Boston Magazine Under Local Stewardship
Boston Magazine has joined Boston Globe Media under local stewardship, transitioning from Metro Corp, the publisher of Philadelphia Magazine.
“Boston Magazine has been a vital part of our city’s cultural and creative landscape for more than 50 years, serving as a chronicler of Boston’s evolution and a champion of its vibrant community,” said Linda Henry, CEO and Co-Owner of Boston Globe Media.

Carpenter Media Group Acquires Missouri Titles
Carpenter Media Group purchased the assets of Salem Publishing Company, a family-owned company based in Missouri.
The acquisition, terms of which were not disclosed, includes The Salem News, Phelps County Focus, Pulaski County Weekly, along with their websites and social media, as well as Action Graphics Sign Company, magazines and special publications, and the company’s commercial printing operation.

Moser Community Media Acquires Titles in Texas
Moser Community Media, LLC acquired the Alvin Sun, Alvin Advertiser, Fort Bend Herald and Wharton County Journal-Leader from Hartman Newspapers, located in Texas.
“The Moser family, like the Hartmans and others, who have been the owners of record of this newspaper, will continue to have the same attitude about the publication,” said Hartman Newspapers’ Chairman Clyde King. “All these who have had the newspaper’s reins at one time or the other have felt like they were caretakers.”

Havre Weekly Chronicle Sold to Mullen Newspapers
Jesse Mullen, founder of Mullen Newspapers based in Deer Lodge, MT, purchased the Havre Weekly Chronicle. In May 2024, the paper moved from daily to weekly publication and changed its name to the Havre Weekly Chronicle.
“I’m excited about Havre, and the Chronicle,” Mullen said. “Havre is a great community, and it deserves a great community newspaper.
Mullen Newspaper Company publishes newspapers in six states.

Eagle Valley Publishing Acquires Nevada Titles
Eagle Valley Publishing has acquired the Nevada Appeal, The Record-Courier, the Lahontan Valley News, and Northern Nevada Business Weekly from Pacific Publishing Company. The terms were not disclosed.
The publications will be operated by Nevada News Group, a division of Eagle Valley Publishing.
Eagle Valley Publishing was founded in 2023 by Adam Trumble, the editor of the Appeal and current operations director.

Tri-County News Sold to Paw Publications
The Tri-County News weekly newspaper based in Kimball, MN, has been sold to Minnesota-based Paw Publications. Paw Publications also owns the nearby Annandale Advocate in Annandale, MN.
Paw Publications, LLC, owned by Ed and Michelle Pawlenty, is a family group of newspapers based in Minnesota. They also own the Battle Lake Review, Maple Lake Messenger, and the Annandale Advocate.

February 2025
Hearst Connecticut Media Group Acquires The Waterbury Republican-American
Hearst Connecticut Media Group has acquired The Waterbury Republican-American, a daily newspaper owned by the Pape family since 1901. Also included in the deal is Citizens News. The terms were not disclosed.
The Hearst Connecticut Media Group publishes eight daily newspapers in the state, covering Fairfield, New Haven, Litchfield and Middlesex counties. It also offers 15 weekly publications and numerous websites.
In 2024, Hearst Connecticut Media Group acquired family-owned RJ Media Group, which included the Meriden Record-Journal and The Cheshire Herald.

Tri-County Reporter Saved from Closure
In Texas, the Tri-County Reporter sold to Bryson and Ashley Burtnett, of Springtown.
It was a surprise move, after Hyde Media Group announced its decision to close the newspaper the end of February.
The local couple plan to bring back the two newspapers that have historically served the communities of Springtown and Azle – The Azle News and The Springtown Epigraph, previously consolidated under the Tri-County Reporter. The Burtnetts encouraged readers to watch the Tri-County Reporter for details as upcoming changes are finalized.

March 2025
Paxton Media Group Acquires Newspaper Operations in Tennessee
Paxton Media Group acquired two newspapers in middle Tennessee, the Southern Standard in McMinnville and the Smithville Review in Smithville. The operations had been owned by Morris Multimedia, Inc.
Paxton Media Group is currently led by President and CEO Jamie Paxton, the fifth generation of the Paxton family to hold the title of president of the company. The company publishes nearly 120 community newspapers in the Southeast and Midwest, and related websites in each of those communities.

Hearst Acquires the Austin American-Statesman
Gannett Co., Inc. sold the Austin American-Statesman to Hearst. The award-winning Austin American-Statesman is a trusted source for exceptional journalism and a pillar in the Austin community, named Texas Newspaper of the Year three times by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors and more recently recognized as a 2023 Public Service Pulitzer Prize finalist and a 2024 Edward R. Murrow Award winner.
Michael Reed, Gannett chairman and CEO said, “The sale of the Austin American-Statesman from our portfolio is a strategic decision that will complement the Hearst brand while positioning Gannett and the USA TODAY Network of more than 200 local publications for future growth.”
Hearst Newspapers, the operating group responsible for Hearst’s newspapers, local digital marketing services businesses and directories, publishes 26 dailies and 52 weeklies across the U.S.

Tecumseh Herald of Michigan Sold to Local Businessman
Jim Lincoln has sold the weekly paid Tecumseh Herald, along with its sister free distribution seasonal Homefront Magazine, to local businessman Rex Christ.
The newspaper provides locals with reliable and relevant news impacting the citizenry of the historic Michigan region in Lenawee County. Tecumseh is approximately 60 miles southwest of Detroit, 25 miles south of Ann Arbor, and 40 miles north of Toledo, Ohio.