• by Sara Guaglione , September 28, 2018

GateHouse Media has acquired the Oklahoman Media Company, publisher of The Oklahoman, the state’s largest daily newspaper.

According to a report from Poynter, 37 staffers were let go across the media company, as as a result of the sale. About 15 of those job losses are estimated to come from the newsroom; two people agreed to retire.

At least 65 newsroom employees remain at The Oklahoman.

The Oklahoman Media Company also operates The Oklahoman's website NewsOK, its digital-marketing agency Big Wing and The Oklahoman Direct, its direct-mail marketing service.

Oklahoman publisher Chris Reen will remain with the paper's current owner, Denver-based businessman Philip Anschutz. GateHouse executive Jim Hopson will serve as interim publisher.

Gatehouse CEO Kirk Davis told Poynter one of the most important first moves “that we need to do quickly is stabilize the financial situation at the newspaper."

In 2016, The Oklahoman closed its printing facility in Oklahoma City and let go over 100 employees to outsource its printing and production operations.

The Oklahoman and GateHouse have partnered together for several years, the former outsourcing its newspaper design and copy editing to the latter since 2016.

GateHouse also owns The Journal Record in Oklahoma City.

GateHouse manages 145 publications and has a presence in 570 markets in 37 states.