Last December WXXI announced that we had signed a letter of intent to acquire the weekly publication CITY Newspaper and its digital platforms. I am proud to report that on May 1st the acquisition was completed and we are excited to have the opportunity to ensure CITY’s long-term success in our community. This merger will help WXXI to better serve our community through enhanced coverage of arts and culture, education, neighborhoods, and events. As one of our Trustees said, “It’s an example of what a modern media organization should be doing.”

WXXI was approached by Mary Anna and Bill Towler, co-founders and co-publishers of CITY, regarding their desire to preserve the service of the paper beyond their eventual retirement. Independent local journalism continues to be important to the vibrancy of communities nationwide. We believe this acquisition will preserve and expand the quality and depth of local reporting and prioritize coverage of the arts and culture in the Greater Rochester area. WXXI can envision a strong brand extension and a sustainable future for the paper with our merged community service.

So what can you expect from this acquisition?

• More local long-form news coverage with daily local talk, a state government reporter and several enterprise and investigative staff reporters – all going after stories that make a difference in the community.
  
  
• Digital content that expands reach and engagement by local talent through creative original programming and social media.

• Strengthened curated entertainment experiences. Lifestyle reporting and events calendars that drive arts discovery and appreciation.

• Special film screenings, Connections with Evan Dawson, CITY’s Best of Rochester poll and event, concerts, music festivals, intimate performances and interviews with big-name artists.
  
  
• A good working relationship: WXXI and CITY are looking forward to working together, and you can see it in print and on air, where having additional reporters is starting to make a difference.

I’ll be sharing more details about this acquisition and how we’ll be working together to increase our coverage of politics, culture, arts and, most importantly, our neighborhoods. We want to be hyper-local in our relationship with CITY and cover the kind of stories you don’t find elsewhere. WXXI and CITY together will work to give you the local coverage you want and deserve!