August 9, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Judge Blocks L.A. Times Publisher from Acquiring Competing Newspapers

Traffic passes outside the Tribune Tower building, as the Tribune Co., publisher of the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, was the successful bidder at a public bankruptcy auction to acquire substantially all of the assets of Freedom Communications Inc., owner of the Orange County Register and the Press- Enterprise in Riverside. (Thinkstock: Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Traffic passes outside the Tribune Tower building, as the Tribune Co., publisher of the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, was the successful bidder at a public bankruptcy auction to acquire substantially all of the assets of Freedom Communications Inc., owner of the Orange County Register and the Press- Enterprise in Riverside. (Thinkstock: Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

A U.S. District Court judge Friday approved a temporary restraining order to block Tribune Publishing’s purchase of the Orange County Register and the Riverside-based Press-Enterprise.

U.S. District Court Judge Andre Birotte Jr., scheduled a hearing for March 28 to decide whether to block the sale beyond that date on antitrust concerns that the sale would harm consumers and advertisers, the Los Angeles Times reported.

In a court filing today, Tribune said the restraining order would, in effect, shut it out of the sale because a bid must be approved quickly in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, according to The Times.

The publishing company said Freedom Communications Inc., owner of the Orange County Register and Press-Enterprise, will run out of financing March 31, The Times reported.

Tribune Publishing Co. was the top bidder at a public bankruptcy auction this week to acquire substantially all of the assets of Freedom Communications Inc.

However, the U.S. Department of Justice quickly filed a civil antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the acquisition of Freedom’s newspapers by the publisher of the Los Angeles Times.

According to the department’s complaint, filed in Los Angeles federal court, The Times and the Register together account for 98 percent of newspaper sales in Orange County and the Los Angeles Times and Freedom’s newspapers together account for 81 percent of English-language newspaper sales in Riverside County.

Tribune’s acquisition of its most significant competitor would give it a monopoly over newspaper sales in each county and allow it to increase subscription prices, raise advertising rates and invest less to maintain the quality of its newspapers.

“If this acquisition is allowed to proceed, newspaper competition will be eliminated and readers and advertisers in Orange and Riverside counties will suffer,” Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer of the DOJ’s antitrust division, said earlier in the week..

“Newspapers continue to play an important role in the dissemination of news and information to readers and remain an important vehicle for advertisers. The antitrust division is committed to ensuring that competition in this important industry is protected.”

Under the terms of the bid, Chicago-based Tribune Publishing has agreed to pay $56 million in cash for Freedom Communications and its real estate in Santa Ana and Riverside, according to the company.

Related Posts

Full Moon Frights at Cinespia: Vampires, Werewolves, and a Night Under the Stars

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Double Feature Coincides With Rare Celestial Triple Event Cinespia invites fans of horror comedy classics will gather under the glow...

Xenomorphs Hit Hollywood: FX Launches Global ‘Alien: Earth’ Hunt Ahead of Series Premiere

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Fans Can Track “Crash-Site” Crates in LA for Instant Prizes, Photo Ops, and Sweepstakes FX is bringing the world of...

Glorya Kaufman, Dance, Arts and Health Philanthropist Who Transformed L.A.’s Landscape, Dies at 95

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

From Culver City, Brentwood, UCLA, USC, and Downtown LA, Her Generosity was Legendary Glorya Kaufman, a transformative benefactor to the...

Overnight Lane Closures Set for I-405 Through Sepulveda Pass Next Week

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Caltrans to Close Multiple Northbound and Southbound Lanes Nightly  Caltrans will implement overnight lane closures along Interstate 405 in the...

Levain Bakery Lands in Beverly Hills with Cookies, Swag, and a Sweet Surprise

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Newest Location’s Debut Includes Limited-Edition Flavor, Early-Bird Giveaways Levain Bakery will mark the opening of its newest location in Beverly...

Bistro Blue’s One Night Only Seasonal Menu Pops Up at Little City Farms August 10

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Chef Kara Vorabutr’s Garden Dinner Promises to be a Seasonal Showstopper Bistro Blue, a pop-up concept by Chef Kara Vorabutr,...

Cardinale du Vin’s Weekend Izakaya Pop-Up Blends Thai Flavors and Japanese Dishes

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Three Nights Only: Thai-Japanese Fusion Menu Launched in Pico-Robertson Cardinale du Vin is unveiling a special izakaya-inspired menu this weekend,...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...

Classic Rock Tribute Takes Center Stage at Beverly Hills Summer Series, Concerts on Canon

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love Bring High-Energy Hits to the Stage The City of Beverly Hills continues its...

Trial Date Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen’ in Matthew Perry’s Death

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Woman Accused in Matthew Perry’s Overdose to Face Jury The woman accused of supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that...

DUI Suspect Identified and Charged in Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old, Injured Brother

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

RV Driver to Face Serious Felony Charges After Striking Boys Riding E-Scooter The 46-year-old man who was allegedly driving under...

Late-Night Traffic Stop in L.A. Lands Rap Star Soulja Boy Back in Legal Spotlight

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rapper Taken Into Custody During Early Morning Traffic Stop Rapper Soulja Boy was taken into custody early Sunday after Los...

Deadly Crosswalk Hit and Run in West Adams, Victim Hit Multiple Times and Left to Die

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Police Seek Public Help to Identify Three Drivers Who Struck and Killed a Pedestrian  Detectives with the Los Angeles Police...

Brentwood Bookstore Welcomes a Hollywood Insider and Secret Service Agent for a Night of Noir

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Tinseltown Thrills Meet Real-Life Intrigue With Author of To Live and Die in LA Diesel, A Bookstore will host a...