Most interesting news from Stephens Media, if you’re into the newspaper business.

CABOT – Stephens Media Group today announced the purchase of five Central Arkansas newspapers from Magie Enterprises Inc., a family-owned publishing company that has been operating for over 50 years.

Advertisement

No financial terms were disclosed.

The newspapers are the weekly Cabot Star-Herald, Carlisle Independent, Lonoke Democrat and Sherwood Voice, plus the twice-weekly Jacksonville Patriot. Also included in the sale is the Weekend Edition, a total-market-coverage publication.

Advertisement

“The Magie family has a great tradition of building first-class, community-minded newspapers,” said Warren Stephens, chairman of Stephens Media Group and president and CEO of Stephens Inc. in Little Rock. “These papers are an excellent fit with the 16 other papers we own in Arkansas.”

Stephens Media you might know, had eyes on dominating the NW Ark. newspaper market, but Walter Hussman stepped in and is now waging a full-scale war with a regional Democrat-Gazette against Stephens newspapers for that growing market.

Advertisement

Stephens hasn’t been sitting still. It has pursued a strategy of building its suburban presence in Central Arkansas — along with its huge LR bureau — having bought papers in North Little Rock and Maumelle earlier. It’s no secret they’ve been interested in some other acquistions in this area. Benton and Conway, for example, seem potentially in play. Could the war have two fronts before long?

Other metros have seen free dailies and vibrant new media entries on the web emerge to challenge daily print monopolies once thought unassailable.

Advertisement

 

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Wooldridge opens fire — UPDATE Next article The recount