KERA, Denton Record-Chronicle announce plans for KERA to acquire newspaper

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

KERA, Denton Record-Chronicle announce plans for KERA to acquire newspaper

The two media organizations are in talks for KERA to acquire the local newspaper, with a shared goal of expanding local reporting in Denton.

dentonrc.com

If this is true then it would be the biggest case of a public media affiliate taking over a newspaper since the NPR affiliate WBEZ Chicago took over Chicago Sun Times.

The Denton Record-Chronicle, Denton County’s primary local newspaper, and KERA, North Texas’ source for PBS and NPR programming, have announced they are moving toward KERA’s acquisition of the Denton Record-Chronicle. The two organizations are currently in a discovery phase, with plans to close the acquisition in 2023.

“This arrangement gives us the opportunity and the ability to preserve local journalism for the people of Denton County,” said Bill Patterson, owner and publisher of the Denton Record-Chronicle. “As our population continues to grow, it’s imperative that we grow as well. With KERA’s commitment and expertise, our organization will be able to serve our audiences well into the future.”

 

[Mediafrog+]

I suspect the main emphasis will be the DR-C’s website and not the physical newspaper.

Not the DR-C’s first time being partnered with a broadcast organization, as the old Belo owned them for a number of years before spinning off their publishing division from the broadcast holdings.

 

[b-turner]

Interesting. I wonder if KERA knows how badly the movers and shakers in Denton County want their own radio station with Denton County news.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Interesting. I wonder if KERA knows how badly the movers and shakers in Denton County want their own radio station with Denton County news.

Then perhaps those movers and shakers should start or purchase their own station. They had a chance with the recent auction for the 104.1 C3 in Sanger. Could have also gone after 103.3. And KFZO would be a good option if the impending new owner wants to spin it.

Denton is now just the northwest corner of the DFW urban sprawl, its identity absorbed to a great extent. Too many other media choices easily available. Galveston has the same issue in relationship to Houston.

 

[b-turner]

I don't know. There really seems to be a 'we're Denton, not DFW' attitude from my observation point a county north and clients in Sanger, Aubrey and Pilot Point. The President of Point Bank bemoaned the loss on KDNT 1440 from years ago when it was local

 

[TexasTom]

Then perhaps those movers and shakers should start or purchase their own station. They had a chance with the recent auction for the 104.1 C3 in Sanger. Could have also gone after 103.3. And KFZO would be a good option if the impending new owner wants to spin it.

The price that the 104.1 C3 CP went for in auction seemed excessive -- it went for over $2 million and considering the amount of the market it will cover combined with the steady decline in radio station valuations over the past couple decades that just seems high.