Breckenridge Texan

The local media situation in Breckenridge could be changing soon with a joint announcement today by Times Media Group (TMG), a community news publisher with operations across the Southwest, and Moser Community Media, also known as Texas Local Media Company, that TMG is acquiring Moser Community Media’s portfolio of 32 community newspapers — including the Breckenridge American — serving markets throughout Texas.

The transaction will become effective Monday, March 2, according to a news release by TMG.

According to an email received by local and area employees and viewed by the Breckenridge Texan, each employee will receive individual communication on Friday, Feb. 20, regarding their employment status and next steps. However, according to local sources, both of the recent Breckenridge American employees are no longer employed by the company.

The acquisition marks Times Media Group’s formal expansion into Texas. According to the news release, under TMG’s ownership, the publications will continue operating with an emphasis on editorial independence, community engagement, and local accessibility. Offices will be maintained throughout Texas convenient to the communities the newspapers serve.

“Local journalism matters because local communities matter,” said Steve Strickbine, Founder and Publisher of Times Media Group. “Our mission has always been simple and unwavering – to serve as a protector of community and a defender of truth. We invest in local news because informed citizens build stronger towns, stronger economies and stronger families.”

Strickbine emphasized in the news release that TMG’s approach is focused on strengthening established institutions rather than changing their identity.

“We are not coming in to strip away what makes these papers special,” he said. “We are coming in to support the readers, advertisers and storytelling that has made these papers vital community institutions. By streamlining back-office operations, improving workflow systems and investing in technology, we’re able to free up resources to focus on what truly matters – good journalism.”

In 2016, Palo Pinto Communications, a subsidiary of Moser Community Media, purchased the Breckenridge American, the Graham Leader, The Olney Enterprise, the Jacksboro Herald-Gazette, the Burleson Star and other publications produced by Graham Newspapers Inc., which was a part of Media News Group and Alden Global Capital.

Strickbine founded Times Media Group in 1997 after leaving his career as a practicing CPA to pursue publishing entrepreneurship. His first publication, an eight-page community newspaper serving North Scottsdale with a circulation of just 5,000, was built on a simple premise: hyper-local reporting, disciplined financial management and close relationships with advertisers could sustain community journalism.

Nearly three decades later, that model has grown into a portfolio of more than 100 print and digital titles across Arizona, California and Colorado – and now Texas – including hyper-local newspapers, statewide magazines and community news based websites. The company also owns and operates AZ Integrated Media, a distribution and custom publishing firm, and has built its reputation by revitalizing legacy news organizations through operational efficiencies and modern infrastructure while preserving editorial independence and local identity.

“Our team is very excited to get started integrating with the great people at Moser Community Media,” Strickbine said. “We see tremendous opportunity in Texas and intend to continue expanding our presence here in the years ahead.”