Gannett to buy Journal Media

$280M deal part of post-spinoff strategy

Gannett, the publishing company that owns USA TODAY and media businesses in 92 local markets, said Wednesday that it has agreed to buy Journal Media Group for about $280 million, following through on its strategy of acquiring additional local news outlets after it was spun off from its former parent in June.

Shareholders of Milwaukee-based Journal Media Group will receive $12 a share in cash. That is a 45% premium from the Wednesday closing price of $8.30.

Journal Media Group owns the 178year-old Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,

The Commercial Appeal of Memphis, 13 other daily newspapers, 18 weeklies and their affiliated websites in 14 local markets in the U.S.

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016. It was approved by both companies’ boards of directors and is subject to approval by Journal Media Group shareholders.

Shares of Gannett closed at $14.94, up almost 4%.

Gannett, based in McLean, Va., will finance the deal through cash and borrowing under the company’s $500 million revolving credit line. “Gannett is excited to be joining forces with an organization that is so respected by their communities and industry,” Gannett CEO Robert Dickey said.

After the deal, Gannett will have a media outlet in 106 local markets in the U.S. It will result in “a combined digital audience of more than 100 million unique visitors a month,” it said. Its print circulation will rise by about 675,000 on weekdays and 950,000 on Sundays, it said.