Newsquest to acquire regional media company CN Group

NewsquestNewsquest Media Group Ltd. is to acquire Cumbrian-based media company CN Group in a deal which is part of a larger, scaled operation by the board to better protect the long term future of the group, its staff and its pensioners. The business sold two of its local radio stations to Global Radio in the autumn. The terms of this transaction were not disclosed, but it is expected to complete shortly after shareholders meet on 9th March.

CN Group runs print, digital and event brands covering Cumbria, Northumberland, north Lancashire, and the Scottish Borders including several award-winning papers such as the News & Star, Cumberland News, Times & Star, The Whitehaven News, The Mail and Hexham Courant.

It also has a magazine division that includes Cumbria Life, Taste Cumbria, Bay Living, in-Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway Life, runs the Choose Cumbria marketing campaign, and events arm CN Events and a print division. It employs 324 people.

Henry Faure Walker, Newsquest chief executive, said: “We look forward to the opportunity of working with the CN Group, its staff and the community it represents in building on their great local brands and publishing expertise, and helping them forge a strong future. We will endeavour to support them with the scale and resources that Newsquest can provide, whilst enabling them to carry on what they have done so well for many years – namely providing first class content and advertising solutions for the people and businesses of Cumbria and the wider region.”

UK, Weybridge & Carlisle

Related articles:

DMGT preliminary results – pre-tax profits up 64%

Daily Mail and General Trust has reported its unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 30 September, 2012.

Total pre-tax profits rose 64% to £206.3 million. This included more than £100 million in charges and £150m in profits from disposals. Total revenues dropped by 1% to £1.96 billion.

MailOnline enjoyed a strong year of growth, recording a 74% increase in revenue to £28 million.

Northcliffe Media was the biggest surprise, contributing operating profit of £26 million (2011: £17 million) from revenues of £213 million (2011: £236 million).

Northcliffe Media, which is being sold to Local World venture, had reported a 37% fall in profits in 2011.

Martin Morgan, Chief Executive, said, “DMGT has delivered a good set of results in the 12 months to 30 September. Group adjusted pre-tax profits* rose by 10%. Our international B2B companies have increased their revenues and profits* by 7% and 8% respectively on an underlying# basis. Although our UK consumer businesses were impacted by challenging trading conditions, it was particularly pleasing that Associated was able to grow its revenues by 2% on an underlying# basis and that underlying# profits* for the consumer businesses rose 12% – reflecting greater productivity and efficiency linked to continued digitisation in that division.

We continued to refine our portfolio of businesses during the year with further acquisitions and disposals aimed at improving our long term growth potential. Today we are a more focused and financially stronger Group, leaving us well positioned for 2013 and beyond.”

Read the full announcement here.

UK, London

Related articles: