The Detroit Metro Times announced Monday that it's merging with Real Detroit Weekly. Both are alternative weekly papers that are distributed for free and have an online presence.
Under the merger, the Metro Times will keep its name and the Real Detroit Weekly name will fade into Detroit journalism history. The Metro Times noted in an online story on the merger that the paper will become the largest alternative newsweekly in Michigan.
Real Detroit Weekly had been operating since 1999. The Metro Times was founded in 1980.
Owner and publisher of Real Detroit Weekly, John Badanjek, will serve as president of events of the newly formed media company alongside Chris Keating, publisher of the Metro Times, the Metro Times wrote.
“Real Detroit Weekly has published the best in music and entertainment coverage for over 15 years,” said Badanjek in the Metro Times article. “We’re excited to join forces with the Metro Times to create a ‘superweekly’ that will offer metro Detroiters more music, art, political, dining and nightlife coverage than previously possible." -- Allan Lengel
