MediaNews to Buy Kearns-Tribune From AT&T Broadband

Posted on December 1, 2000

MediaNews Group will buy Kearns-Tribune, LLC, which owns the Salt Lake Tribune, from AT&T Broadband for an undisclosed sum, the companies announced. The companies said they expect the deal to close by the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals. AT&T Broadband acquired its interest in Kearns-Tribune when it merged last year with Tele-Communications, Inc. TCI had acquired the interest in an earlier transaction.

The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah's largest newspaper, has morning circulation of 134,542 and Sunday circulation of 160,626. Kearns-Tribune jointly owns the Newspaper Agency Corporation, which provides circulation, advertising and production services to both The Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News, an evening daily newspaper with daily circulation of 65,912 and Sunday circulation of 70,158. The Deseret News is the other owner of NAC.

MediaNews Group said the Rocky Mountain West is its home, and that ownership of The Salt Lake Tribune's holding company, added to its long-time ownership of The Denver Post, will dramatically enhance its presence in the region. The company said it looks forward to joining with The Deseret News to assure the growth and prosperity of both newspapers. MediaNews said it is committed to preserving two separate, diverse voices in Utah.

MediaNews Group, Inc. is the nation's seventh largest newspaper company, with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. After giving effect to the above transaction, MediaNews Group publishes 48 daily newspapers and 94 non-daily publications in 12 states.