Transcontinental‘s media subsidiary has purchased 11 weekly and monthly publications, along with the related web portals, of Groupe Le Canada Francais for an undisclosed price.
Canada’s fourth-largest publisher said the publications serve the areas of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Granby, southeast of Montreal.
Among the publications being acquired is Le Canada Francais, the largest paid weekly circulation paper in Quebec,
which was founded in 1860.
Transcontinental Media president Natalie Lariviere said Groupe Le Canada Francais is a “jewel of the weekly press in Quebec.
“This acquisition fits with our plans for developing our network in Monteregie and enhancing our integrated offering to regional and national advertisers.”
In all, the publications have a combined weekly circulation of more than 155,000 copies and employ 160 workers and freelancers.
A series of regional online information portals attract more than 30,000 visitors per week.
With this transaction, Transcontinental Media’s newspaper division will distribute more than 2.8 million copies every week in Quebec.
Transcontinental Media had more than 3,000 employees and $608 million in annual revenues in 2010. It is the largest publisher of consumer magazines and French language educational resources in Canada, and the largest publisher of local and regional newspapers in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
