In a move that dramatically expands its reach and has the potential to alter the Connecticut newspaper and digital landscape, Hearst Connecticut Media has acquired the New Haven Register, Torrington Register Citizen, Middletown Press and Connecticut Magazine.
But wait, there’s more. The Hearst buying spree includes eight weekly papers as well. Details of the transaction, with Digital First Media properties, have not been disclosed.
Hearst currently owns the Connecticut Post, Norwalk Hour, Stamford Advocate, Danbury News-Times and the Greenwich Time making it the dominant news force in Fairfield County. This latest acquisition changes several geographic and operational factors long considered to be givens in the Connecticut news business.
The combined ownership of the New Haven Register, Danbury News-Times and Torrington Register Citizen could put new competitive pressure on the Waterbury Republican-American. Similarly, the ownership of the New Haven paper and the Middletown Press, could put new pressure on the Meriden Record-Journal.
Finally, from an operational standpoint, a chain of papers stretching from Middletown to Greenwich could combine many production functions, shrink news staffs to bureau size, and still be the largest news gathering organization in southwestern Connecticut. Could the Hartford Courant be in Hearst’s sights? What about the three family owned papers; the Republican-American, Journal Inquirer and Record-Journal? Future acquisitions could create a Hearst crescent running through the most populace parts of the state.
