Hearst Acquires Trumbull Times, 6 Other Newspapers

Hearst announced Thursday that it has acquired seven weekly newspapers from Hersam Acorn Newspapers. The Ridgefield Press, Wilton Bulletin, New Canaan Advertiser, Darien Times, Shelton Herald, Trumbull Times and Milford Mirror are among the acquisitions.

“Hersam Acorn Newspapers is grateful to have served the readers of Fairfield County over the years. We are certain Hearst Newspapers’ Connecticut Media Group will continue to provide the same committed service," said Hersam Acorn Co-owners Martin Hersam and Thomas Nash.

The move will leave Hearst with eight daily newspapers, 20 weeklies and 29 websites in Connecticut, according to a press release from Hearst. Its eight dailies include The New Haven Register, Connecticut Post, Greenwich Time, Stamford Advocate and Norwalk Hour.

Hearst Connecticut Media Group employs more than 200 journalists. The Hersam acquisition is the second big news item for Hearst's Connecticut operation this week. On Monday the company announced it hired Matt DeRienzo as vice president of news and digital content.

DeRienzo was previously the statewide editor of Digital First Media in Connecticut, which at the time owned the New Haven Register, Middletown Press, Register Citizen and accompanying weeklies. Hearst later acquired those papers from DFM. DeRienzo was most recently executive director of LION Publishers, which helped independent online news operations grow and operate.

Hersam recently closed its Weston Forum, Redding Pilot, Easton Courier, Monroe Courier and Stratford Star newspapers.

Overall Hearst owns 24 dailies and 63 weekly newspapers across the country, including the Houston Chronicle and San Francisco Chronicle.

“Hearst Connecticut Media Group is committed to delivering the highest standard of reporting across local communities in our state,” said Paul Barbetta, group publisher and president of Hearst Connecticut Media Group. “This acquisition furthers our ability to serve consumers and advertisers in one of the country’s top markets.”