MEDIA

Belo Buying Providence Journal Co.: Dallas media company A.H. Belo is acquiring Rhode Island-based Providence Journal Co., owner of the Providence Journal-Bulletin newspaper, for $1.5 billion in cash and stock. Belo owns seven TV stations and a group of newspapers that includes the Dallas Morning News. The companies’ combined revenues totaled $1.1 billion for the 12 months ended June 30. Trading in both companies was halted late Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange before the announcement, with Journal shares up 50 cents at $20.875 and Belo down 37.5 cents at $37.50. The deal has been approved by the boards of both companies but must be cleared by regulators.