Gannett sells off four of its 90 dailies

Gannett, the largest US newspaper publisher, is selling four of its 90 dailies: the Rockford Register Star (circ. 65,000) in Illinois; the Observer-Dispatch (43,000) in Utica, NY; the Herald-Dispatch (30,000) in Huntington, West Virginia; and the Norwich Bulletin (26,000) in Connecticut. The New York-based GateHouse Media chain, which already has 84 dailies, is paying $410m (£208m) for the four titles. Gannett said the sale fits with its strategic plan, which favours regional clusters. (Via Charleston Times-Courier)