The Era of Newspaper Mergers and Acquisitions

Los Angeles, southern San Fernando Valley, at the northern foot of the Hollywood Hills, Xinuo.

Inside a luxurious Chandler family estate, Aaron sat on the sofa with Otis Chandler, discussing the expansion of Forum Company!

"Forum Company had the Chicago Tribune as its flagship newspaper, centered on Illinois, and wielded enormous influence in the Midwest through radio stations, regional television stations, and newspapers."

"Acquiring the Houston Post would strengthen its presence in the South, while acquiring The Sun and the Los Angeles Times would expand its media power in the East and West."

Aaron smiled. The Sun, under Times-Mirror Company, was an important regional newspaper in the East!

Otis Chandler shook his head. "You know, Aaron, I stepped down as editor-in-chief of the group's flagship newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, back in the late eighties."

"For all these years, the Los Angeles Times has been run by editors-in-chief outside the family."

The Chandler family owned 34 percent of Times-Mirror Group and had controlled it for more than half a century. When Otis Chandler ran the company, he had developed the Los Angeles Times into one of America's three great newspapers, on par with The Washington Post and The New York Times. He was unquestionably the greatest contributor;

Ever since Otis Chandler stepped into the background, the Chandler family's succession battle had become plain for all to see, and it had continued to this day.

Moreover, after several generations of growth, the Chandler family had become a large clan of more than a hundred people;

Beyond Times-Mirror Company, the Chandler family also owned considerable real estate in the San Fernando Valley and were real estate tycoons in the Los Angeles area!

"What about now? Is Times-Mirror Company really preparing to sell?"

Aaron did not believe Otis Chandler had truly stepped into