Seattle Times to Buy the Maine Newspapers of Guy Gannett Communications

Posted on September 1, 1998

In a transaction that reaches across the United States and four generations of publishers, The Seattle Times is purchasing the Maine newspapers of Guy Gannett Communications, including the Portland Press Herald & Maine Sunday Telegram in Portland, the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, and the Morning Sentinel in Waterville.

The sale also includes the weekly Coastal Journal in Bath and the New Media Development Group, Guy Gannett Direct, and Voice Information Services, all based in Portland. The sale does not include Guy Gannett's seven network-affiliate television stations. Both The Seattle Times Company and Guy Gannett Communications are private, fourth-generation, family-owned companies.

"The excellent quality of the Maine newspapers and the Blethen family's strong ties to Maine were very motivating for us," said Frank A. Blethen, publisher and chief executive officer of The Seattle Times Company. "We are proud to be able to continue the increasingly rare tradition of independent family newspaper ownership, and service to the Maine community established by the Gannett family."

The Portland Press Herald is Maine's largest daily newspaper, with circulation of 74,500. The Maine Sunday Telegram has circulation of 124,500. The Kennebec Journal and the Morning Sentinel are among Maine's oldest newspapers. Published by Guy Gannett's Central Maine Newspapers division, they have a combined daily circulation of approximately 37,000. Although they maintain distinct identities and readership, since 1992 the two papers have shared printing and administrative functions.