GateHouse Media buys The Oklahoman Media Company

The Oklahoman Media Company has been sold to the fastest-growing publishing company in the country, New York-based GateHouse Media, for an undisclosed amount, executives announced Thursday.

The sale will close Oct. 1. GateHouse Media publishes 145 daily publications. It operates in more than 570 markets across 37 states, reaching more than 23 million people on a weekly basis and serving more than 220,000 business customers.

GateHouse Media’s parent company is publicly traded New Media Investment Group (NEWM) of New York.

“The Oklahoman has served its readers with great ambition and integrity since before statehood. We’re proud that GateHouse Media will be able to continue The Oklahoman’s heritage,” said Kirk Davis, CEO, GateHouse Media.

The Oklahoman, NewsOK, Big Wing and The Oklahoman Direct will extend GateHouse’s presence in Oklahoma.

“We are fortunate to own a small number of daily and weekly publications in Oklahoma, including The Journal Record in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoman not only bolsters our portfolio here, but will be among our largest newspapers in the country,” Davis said.

Davis went on to say, “The Oklahoman is known for its award-winning sports coverage and strong legislative and business reports, particularly in energy. The company has a strong news operation and has excelled at growing its digital audience and becoming an industry leader in multimedia innovation. This talented team will fit right in to GateHouse Media, which was recently honored to receive The Associated Press Media Editors’ Innovator of the Year award, an award previously won by The Oklahoman. We’re excited to share ideas with the staff here and learn from them as well.”

Chris Reen, publisher of The Oklahoman and president of The Oklahoman Media Company, said he is pleased to turn over the newspaper and assets to GateHouse. “GateHouse has the scale and broad expertise needed to keep The Oklahoman strong well into the future. It was important for us to sell to a strong company that is 100 percent devoted to ethical journalism.”

Editor Kelly Dyer Fry said the newsroom will remain focused. “GateHouse is a great owner and we have partnered with them for several years. They allow their local markets to dictate coverage and editorial opinions independently. I am excited for the future and look forward to their leadership and support.”

The Oklahoma Publishing Company will separately continue its operations in hospitality, food manufacturing, mineral rights and development, transportation and real estate, according to Gary Pierson, president and CEO.