Back in my IT days we had a number of suitors express interest in buying our company.
And every one of them had one very important line item wrong—what they didn’t seem able to grasp no matter their advanced Ivy League degree was the real value of our business was embodied in the people who worked for us.
While I can see the appeal of buying into a business that spits out profits year after year people be damned in lieu of ‘efficiencies’ some businesses rely on personalities. I think that’s what they call an “intangible asset” and in the world of hifi reviews we are if anything intangible.
Which gets me to what I see as really good, great even, hifi news:
Pray Media Holdings today announced the acquisition of AVTech Media Americas, publisher of some of the most respected enthusiast media brands in the audio, home entertainment, photography, and technology sectors. This acquisition includes the flagship titles and digital properties Stereophile, Sound & Vision, Analog Planet, and Shutterbug, along with affiliated media brands and related digital assets. The transaction marks the launch of Pray Media Holdings as a next-generation media company focused on preserving legacy editorial brands while expanding digital media, audience engagement, and new revenue opportunities.
One thing I know as sure as I know the color of my hair—Keith Pray, my old boss, understands the real value of Stereophile and that value exists largely off the books and in the people who are responsible for producing the content that makes Stereophile Stereophile with its storied history ever present in mind. And if you think, even for a split second, that this value can be found on a spreadsheet or P&L report you are as clueless as the stiff suits that wanted to add our company to their ‘portfolio’ without bringing along the people responsible for its success.
All to say I see this hifi news as great news for all concerned (that means you too).
Press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pray Media Holdings Announces Acquisition of AVTech Media Americas and Its Iconic Enthusiast Media Brands
Thornwood, New York — May 30, 2026 — Pray Media Holdings today announced the acquisition of AVTech Media Americas, publisher of some of the most respected enthusiast media brands in the audio, home entertainment, photography, and technology sectors. This acquisition includes the flagship titles and digital properties Stereophile, Sound & Vision, Analog Planet, and Shutterbug, along with affiliated media brands and related digital assets. The transaction marks the launch of Pray Media Holdings as a next-generation media company focused on preserving legacy editorial brands while expanding digital media, audience engagement, and new revenue opportunities.
“I am honored to become the steward of these legendary brands,” said Keith Pray, Founder and President of Pray Media Holdings. “My relationship with these brands began in 1999, and they have been an important part of my professional life ever since. For more than 25 years, I have seen firsthand the passion of the readers, creators, advertisers, and communities that surround them. To now guide their next chapter is both humbling and exciting.”
“We are delighted to have supported the management buyout of Stereophile, which now returns to U.S. ownership,” said Paul Miller, Editorial Director of AVTech Media and incoming Technical Editor of Stereophile. “It was important to us that this revered hi-fi brand retain continuity in both its publishing structure and editorial leadership, ensuring a seamless transition. The natural brotherhood between Stereophile and Hi-Fi News, representing more than 130 years of hi-fi publishing history, will endure. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Editor-in-Chief Jim Austin and the publication’s exceptional team of contributors. Keith’s passion for enthusiast media, deep understanding of the audience, and commitment to editorial excellence make him an ideal steward for Stereophile as it begins its next chapter.”
The acquisition ensures continuity for readers, advertisers, contributors, and industry partners while positioning the brands for future growth under dedicated ownership with deep roots in enthusiast publishing.
About Pray Media Holdings
Pray Media Holdings is a privately held media company focused on acquiring, operating, and growing enthusiast media brands that serve passionate consumer communities. The company is committed to preserving editorial integrity while investing in digital innovation, audience development, events, commerce, and new media platforms.
Company Website: Stereophile