USA TODAY Co. Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire The Detroit News
USA TODAY Co. (TDAY) announced the execution of a binding Letter of Intent with MediaNews Group, a subscriber focused media company, to acquire The Detroit News. "The acquisition of The Detroit News will be a strategic investment that strengthens the USA TODAY Network's audience and its portfolio of more than 200 local publications nationwide and reinforces our commitment to local journalism in the Detroit metropolitan area," said Michael Reed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of USA TODAY Co. "Welcoming The Detroit News fully to our network will enable the continued delivery of trusted, high-quality news and content to our audiences and advertisers in the region." The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News will continue to publish separately. Financing for the transaction is being funded partially with cash on the balance sheet, and in part with incremental debt financing from funds managed by affiliates of Apollo (APO). As part of the financing, certain terms of USA TODAY Co.'s existing senior secured credit facility have been amended and the facility will bear interest at an annual rate equal to SOFR plus a margin of 4.5% with a floor of 150 basis points. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is anticipated to close at the end of the month. Deal terms will not be disclosed.
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- Award Recognition: Budweiser has won the 38th USA TODAY Ad Meter competition with its “American Icons” Super Bowl ad, which combines emotional visuals and classic music to celebrate the brand's 150-year legacy.
- High Audience Engagement: Approximately 190,000 registered USA TODAY Ad Meter panelists rated Super Bowl ads from February 4 to 9, ensuring the fairness and representativeness of the results.
- Industry Impact: The USA TODAY Ad Meter is widely recognized as the standard for measuring audience response to Super Bowl advertising, reflecting Budweiser's strong influence among sports and pop culture enthusiasts, thereby reinforcing its market position.
- Innovation Expansion Plan: USA TODAY will launch the second annual Movie Meter on March 4, allowing film fans to select their “Film of the Year” from Oscar nominations, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to content innovation and audience engagement.
- Ad Rating Platform: The USA TODAY Ad Meter 2026 competition has launched, allowing participants to log in and rate Super Bowl commercials until February 9, aiming to gauge public sentiment and drive brand discussions.
- Brand Sponsorship: State Farm serves as the presenting sponsor for this year's Ad Meter, highlighting its influence in the advertising space and using this opportunity to deepen its relationship with viewers and enhance brand recognition.
- Student Involvement: Marketing students from 16 universities will evaluate the effectiveness of commercials, analyzing audience reactions and publishing results, which further enhances the authority and impact of the Ad Meter.
- Industry Summit: The 2026 USA TODAY Ad Meter Summit will take place on February 5 in San Francisco, where industry leaders will share advertising strategies and insights, fostering collaboration and creativity in advertising.
- Youth News Literacy Initiative: The seventh annual National News Literacy Week, scheduled for February 2-6, aims to assist teens in identifying credible information, thereby enhancing their trust in news amidst the prevalence of AI-generated content.
- Educational Resources Provided: The News Literacy Project collaborates with E.W. Scripps Company and USA TODAY to offer free teaching resources for educators, helping students develop the skills necessary to assess the reliability of information and strengthen their critical thinking.
- Trust Survey Findings: A recent study by the News Literacy Project reveals that 84% of U.S. teens hold negative views of the press, often perceiving journalism as inaccurate, highlighting the critical need for educating youth on how to evaluate information.
- Importance of Local Journalism: The senior vice president of USA TODAY Network emphasizes the crucial role of local journalism in helping readers understand community dynamics, particularly in an era of AI-generated falsehoods, making it essential to cultivate teens' information evaluation skills.

- Conference Announcement: USA TODAY Co. will present virtually at the 28th Annual Needham Growth Conference on January 15, 2026, at 8:45 AM ET, featuring CEO Michael Reed and CFO Trisha Gosser, showcasing the company's future growth strategies.
- Information Access: The conference video webcast will be available through the Investor Relations section of the company's website and archived for 90 days post-presentation, ensuring investors and the public can access important information, thereby enhancing transparency.
- Company Overview: USA TODAY Co. is a diversified media company dedicated to providing high-quality journalism and digital marketing solutions across national and local markets, aiming to inspire and connect communities while driving sustainable growth.
- Digital Marketing Support: The company's LocaliQ brand supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions, further solidifying its market position in the digital marketing sector.







