Hearst Connecticut Media Group to buy RJ Media Group

Hearst Connecticut Media Group (HCMG) announced that it has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Meriden-based RJ Media Group, which includes the daily Record-Journal newspaper along with seven weekly newspapers, their respective websites and a digital agency.

The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, nor was a timeline for the transaction announced. It is also unclear if there will be significant editorial changes within the RJ Media Group workforce.

Liz White Notarangelo, the Record-Journal publisher, announced the agreement in an online statement.

“It has been our family’s sincere honor to serve this community and work with all of you for the past 156 years and five generations to provide trusted, local journalism to support a strong democracy, help local businesses and organizations grow and to partner with community members and leaders to make a difference,” she said, adding, “Although it is sad in many ways, as the publisher and 5th generation family owner of our company, I am pleased to share that Hearst Connecticut Media Group will be the new owner.”

Mike DeLuca, group publisher and president of HCMG, issued a statement that he was “thrilled to welcome the Record-Journal to the Hearst Connecticut Media Group family,” adding that Hearst’s ownership of the family-owned company was the equivalent of “embracing a new chapter in journalism. This union underscores our commitment to fostering strong local voices and delivering impactful stories that resonate with our communities.”

This is the second acquisition for HCMG this year, which bought the Journal Inquirer of Manchester in June.