Freedom Communications Inc.: The Irvine-based media company...

Freedom Communications Inc.: The Irvine-based media company bought 50% of CurtCo Publishing Inc., a Malibu publisher of specialty magazines such as Home Theater Technology and Mobile Sound Competition, the companies said Thursday. Terms weren’t disclosed.

The two companies are forming a joint venture called CurtCo Freedom Group, which will publish new magazines, primarily for the home theater market. CurtCo’s president, Bill Curtis, will become president and chief executive of the new company. Privately held Freedom has 25 daily newspapers, including the flagship Orange County Register; 34 weeklies, five television stations, and an all-news cable station.