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On Pattison Owner Joins with Broad + Liberty to Create New Digital Media Company
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Here’s a portion of a press release that’s being shared by the properties making up a new digital media group called “Fideri News Network” –
Two of the region’s fastest-growing media companies, Broad + Liberty and Access Network, have officially joined forces, with Broad + Liberty acquiring Access Network to form a united, cutting-edge state and local multimedia company serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The new company, Fideri News Network, combines award-winning journalism, balanced political coverage, local news, sports, podcasts, digital content, radio, e-commerce, and event ticketing under one mission. By pairing editorial excellence with business innovation and scalable infrastructure, Fideri aims to build a sustainable model for revitalized local media in one of the nation’s most historically significant—and fiercely contested—media landscapes.
At a time when local journalism is vanishing nationwide, and PA and NJ markets are left behind by legacy newsrooms, the need for community-rooted media has never been greater. A free and open society depends not just on national headlines, but on local voices—those who understand the stakes of a school board vote, a county budget, or a contested judicial race.
That’s why Fideri will deliver more than headlines. Through WBCB Sports and OnPattison.com, we’ll grow the coverage fans already rely on—from Friday night high school matchups to smart, engaging commentary on the Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers that cuts through the noise and speaks directly to Philly sports fans. With podcasts, short-form video, broadcast radio, and more across sports, culture, local news, and politics, Fideri is building a dynamic multimedia ecosystem that meets people where they are.
Principled local journalism serves as both a mirror and a compass. It reflects the lived experiences of our communities while guiding public discourse with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to truth over narrative. This new initiative aims to revive the civic fabric of our region by giving readers the context, facts, and voices they need to participate fully and faithfully in our shared public life.
So on and so forth.
“Fideri News Network” incorporates the following properties:
- Broad + Liberty
- Access Network
- Politics PA
- WBCB 107.3 FM / 1490 AM
- PhillyDaily.com
- On Pattison
- Delco Now
- Central Bucks Now
- OCNJ Daily
- Sea Isle News
- Cape May Daily
- Dowbeach something or other
- Breaking AC
- SomersPoint.com
- Wissahickon Now
- Willow Grove Now
- The Independence Bucks County / Lancaster County
- Voices of Reason
- North Penn Now
- Horsham Now
- Perk Valley Now
- Access Ticketing
- My Philly Tickets
- Jersey Shore Tickets
As you know, On Pattison is spiritually connected to Crossing Broad. It’s the creation of Kyle Scott, who founded CB back in 2009. To make a long story short, Maestro got into newsletters after he sold CB, and created Walking the Boards to cover the Ocean City area. He became connected with Jim McDonald, who ran a number of digital websites down the shore through his company, Access Global Media. Around the same time, McDonald bought Breaking AC, North Penn Now, and other sites and pulled them all under a single umbrella. Anthony San Francisco left us for On Pattison, that bastard(!), and joined a staff that included Tim Kelly, John Foley, and Austin Krell.
There was some, uh, “shakiness” with the new company, which we recused ourselves from reporting on because we’re just too close to all of those guys. Off brand, perhaps, but talking about all of that would have been better served by another outlet. Anyway, when you fast forward through all of it, the end result is McDonald teaming with Terry Tracy at Broad + Liberty to create an even bigger umbrella of digital properties.
If Broad + Liberty sounds familiar, it’s a Pennsylvania news and politics site that leans right. They prefer the term “right-of-center,” according to the site bio. I haven’t read enough to determine if that’s accurate or not, but will make a note to dig in later. For what it’s worth, I see bylines from some of the “Now” writers on the B+L homepage, so it looks like they’re leveraging all of their assets across the entire portfolio.
That’s about it. That’s the CliffsNotes. The one thing they’re doing is expanding, and building new “Now” sites, like Horsham Now and Perk Valley Now and all of that, and leaning into hyper-local journalism that the newspapers used to deliver. When Fideri expands to Berks County and creates Boyertown Now, I’ll have to apply. My salary demands are $100,000 and a company vehicle. No wussy cars though, I’m thinking more like a Ford F250 XL with extended cab.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com