U-T San Diego in talks to buy Orange County Register
The U-T San Diego newspaper is in talks to buy the daily Orange County Register.
U-T Chief Executive John Lynch confirmed that executives at his newspaper, formerly known as the San Diego Union-Tribune, have “had discussions” with Irvine-based Freedom Communications, which owns the Register.
But although several recent reports have suggested that a deal is nearing, Lynch stopped short of saying that.
“Nothing is certain as we attempt to expand our holding in L.A. and O.C.,” Lynch wrote in an e-mail.
In a speech this week to the Downtown San Diego Lions, Lynch told the group of the Register talks.
“He made a presentation about where they’re heading in their future endeavors,” said George Saadeh, a business owner who introduced Lynch at the event. “There are negotiations going on to purchase the newspaper.”
Bob Emmers, a spokesman for Freedom, said the company “doesn’t comment on rumors and speculation.”
U-T owner Doug Manchester was unavailable for comment. The local hotel magnate bought the San Diego paper from Platinum Equity in December for $110 million.
The view from Sacramento
Sign up for the California Politics newsletter to get exclusive analysis from our reporters.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
