Houghton Mifflin’s Sale to Software Maker Reflects Trend

In a move reflecting the rise of new media over old, the education software maker Riverdeep Holdings Limited announced last week its $3.4 billion purchase of the Houghton Mifflin Co., among the United States’ oldest and largest education publishers.

The 174-year-old Boston-based textbook company will merge with the 11-year-old Dublin, Ireland-based software company under the name Houghton Mifflin Riverdeep Group PLC, when the deal becomes final by year’s end, a Houghton Mifflin spokesman said. The companies have combined annual revenues of $1.4 billion and earnings before taxes and interest of $392 million.

“We are excited about … the ability to capitalize on the convergence of print and digital platforms,” said Barry O’Callaghan,...