By Nathan Bomey | USA TODAY
Gannett, owner of The Arizona Republic, USA TODAY and Arizona Capitol Times, is reportedly in merger talks with newspaper chain GateHouse Media and has had discussions about possible deals with other media companies.
Gannett and GateHouse have discussed a deal that could help them “bulk up and trim costs,” The Wall Street Journalreported Thursday.
Gannett declined to comment on the report, and GateHouse did not respond to a request seeking comment.
GateHouse is part of New Media Investment Group, which has 156 daily publications and dozens of weekly newspapers. The company’s largest publications include the Austin American-Statesmanand the Oklahoman. Many of its properties are much smaller newspapers.
In addition to USA TODAYand The Republic, Gannett has about 109 other publications, including the Detroit Free Press, Indianapolis Star andMilwaukee Journal-Sentinel.