Hearst in plans to buy Record-Journal Media Group

The following excerpt was sent out from ctinsider.com:

Hearst Connecticut Media Group is negotiating a deal to acquire the RJ Media Group in Meriden, Conn.

The deal, which could be reached before the end of this year, would add the Record-Journal and its group of publications to HCMG’s network of local news websites, newspapers and magazines.

HCMG’s group publisher and president, Mike DeLuca, said: “Our support of journalism and the communities we serve is unwavering. The prospect of the Record-Journal potentially joining our group is an exciting one. We feel it will continue to provide strong local news, business services for advertisers and much more.”

When asked for specifics about future plans should the deal close, including whether or not any jobs would be impacted, DeLuca said a number of details are still under review and would likely be available after the acquisition is complete.

The Record-Journal’s roots date back to 1867 under the name Weekly Visitor, based in Meriden. The company and its publications have evolved over the years. It now includes the Record-Journal and its website, along with several weekly newspapers, including The Cheshire Citizen, The Southington-Plainville Citizen, The Town Times, The Berlin Citizen, The North Haven Citizen and The Cheshire Herald.

The Record-Journal has long been a family-owned publication, with Eliot White, a fourth-generation family member serving as president, and his daughter, Liz White Notarangelo, serving as publisher and executive vice president.

“We feel that Hearst Connecticut Media Group is a great fit and next chapter for our family company, with their ongoing commitment to strong local journalism, a culture of innovation and serving communities.”