As of today, the Springfield News-Sun is no longer part of Cox Media Group and is not affiliated with WHIO-TV or CMG’s radio properties. Instead, we are part of Cox Enterprises – the same company that has owned this newspaper for the past 115 years.
I know that sounds confusing, so I will explain how we got here. Last year, Apollo Global Management bought Cox Media Group from Cox Enterprises. At the time of the sale, that included the Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and Journal-News. But a court ruling about the Federal Communication Commission’s rules on cross-ownership created a problem. After the court decision, Apollo could not publish the Dayton-area newspapers 7 days a week and still own WHIO-TV. That started a scramble to find a new owner for the Dayton-area newspapers. Ultimately, Cox Enterprises stepped in and bought back the Dayton Daily News, the Springfield News-Sun and the Journal-News.
Cox Enterprises was founded in Dayton in 1898 by James M. Cox, a three-term Ohio governor. From the Dayton Daily News, Cox Enterprises has grown into a multi-billion-dollar corporation — still owned by the same family. That Cox family legacy exists throughout our community. Our airport bears the name of Gov. Cox. The Cox family donated the land for Cox Arboretum and funded the Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture. The Cox Foundation has given millions of dollars to RiverScape River Run, the Hope Center for Families, Dayton Children’s Hospital, tornado relief and Woodland Cemetery.
Here’s what this ownership change means for you and for our community:
The Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and Journal-News will continue to print 7 days a week.
Sharon Wilmore continues to be the editor of the Springfield News-Sun, working right here in downtown Springfield to manage our award-winning Clark County staff. You can reach Sharon at Sharon.Wilmore@coxinc.com.
These three newspapers will no longer be owned by the same company as WHIO-TV and Cox Media Group radio stations.
Some of our phone numbers and e-mails will change. Here’s how to reach us now:
o To give us a news tips or information,
o For general customer service inquiries, call 1-800-441-6397 or e-mail customercare@springfieldnewssun.com.
o To reach our subscriber advocate, Greg Smith, e-mail Subscriberadvocate@springfieldnewssun.com
o To place an obituary, call (937) 225-2009
o For advertising services, call (888) 802-6964 or go to CoxNext.com
o For marketing and event partnerships, e-mail Emily Broughton at Emily.Broughton@coxinc.com
This ownership change will have no negative impact on the local journalism you love and support. In fact, we are more focused than ever on what it means to serve this community. We have more local reporters than any other local news outlet, and we have the talent and expertise to go deep into local and investigative news. We provide the best advertising solutions and services in the region and are the experts in helping local businesses thrive and succeed. We are an advocate for our community – we win if our community wins.
We need your ongoing support if we’re going to achieve all we can for this community. If you have ideas for how we can improve, please send them to Jana.Collier@coxinc.com. Thank you for continuing to subscribe and support local journalism.
Jana Collier
Interim publisher
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