Tribune hires investment banks to sell LA Times and other newspapers

There are reports out today that media conglomerate Tribune Co.

has hired advisers to explore the sale of its newspaper unit. The company has retained JPMorgan Chase and Evercore Partners to help decide whether to sell the division, which includes the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and six other daily newspapers. Analysts believe the Tribune wants to unload the newspapers to focus on more lucrative television ventures.

Gabriel Kahn teaches journalism at USC and is co-director of the Media, Economics and Entrepreneurship program there. He spoke to KCRW’s Steve Chiotakis about the potential sale.