{{Short description|American publishing company}} {{other uses}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Use American English|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox company | name = McClatchy Media Company | logo = McClatchy logo 2025.svg | type = Private | traded_as = {{NYSE was|MNI}} | founder = James McClatchy | key_people = {{ubl|Kevin McClatchy<br />{{small|(Chairman)}}|Tony Hunter<br />{{small|(President and CEO)}}}} | industry = Publishing | products = Newspapers | num_employees = 2,800 full and part-time (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/628837/mcclatchy-employees/|title = McClatchy number of employees 2019}}</ref> | foundation = {{Start date and age|1857|02|03}} | owner = Chatham Asset Management | location = 26 Main Street<br>Chatham Borough, NJ 07928<br>U.S. | homepage = {{URL|https://mcclatchy.com}} }}
'''McClatchy Media Company''', also known as '''McClatchy''', is an American publishing company incorporated under Delaware's General Corporation Law. Originally based in Sacramento, California, United States, and known as '''The''' '''McClatchy Company,''' it became a subsidiary of Chatham Asset Management, headquartered in Chatham Borough, New Jersey, as a result of its 2020 bankruptcy.
The company operates 29 daily newspapers in 14 states and has an average weekday circulation of 1.6 million and Sunday circulation of 2.4 million.<ref name="M">{{cite web|url=http://services.corporate-ir.net/SEC.Enhanced/SecCapsule.aspx?c=87841&fid=14874453|title=SEC FILING – McClatchy Form 10-K|website=services.corporate-ir.net|access-date=2017-04-06|archive-date=2020-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226045841/http://services.corporate-ir.net/SEC.Enhanced/SecCapsule.aspx?c=87841&fid=14874453|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2006, it purchased Knight Ridder, which at the time was the second-largest newspaper company in the United States. In 2024, McClatchy merged with A360media.
McClatchy journalists have also won nine Pulitzer prizes in their 159-year history,<ref>{{cite web |title=Pulitzer Prizes |url=http://www.mcclatchy.com/2012/06/06/2577/pulitzer-prizes.html |website=McClatchy.com}}</ref> most recently in 2017 for an article on the Panama Papers. They were also finalists in 2015 for articles on government efforts to hide Bush-era CIA Enhanced interrogation techniques.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finalist: Marisa Taylor, Jonathan Landay and Ali Watkins of McClatchy Newspapers |url=https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/marisa-taylor-jonathan-landay-and-ali-watkins |access-date=2020-03-24 |website=The Pulitzer Prizes |language=en}}</ref>
==History==
=== Founding === On February 3, 1857, ''The Daily Bee'' was first published in Sacramento, California. A few months later James McClatchy succeeded Rollin Ridge as the paper's editor. McClatchy became a co-owner on February 12, 1866, and majority stock owner on June 26, 1872. At that time the firm's name was changed to McClatchy & Co.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 10, 1888 |title=A History Of The Bee. {{!}} The Various Hands Through Which It Has Passed |work=The Sacramento Bee |page=2}}</ref> His son Charles K. McClatchy soon joined his father as junior partner,<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 1879 |title=Notice |work=The Sacramento Bee |page=3}}</ref> and succeeded him upon his death in 1883.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 2, 1883 |title=Death of James McClatchy |work=Chico Weekly Enterprise |page=1}}</ref>
The company founded ''The Fresno Bee'' in 1922.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1922 |title=The Fresno Bee Publishes First Number To-Day |work=The Sacramento Bee |page=1}}</ref> Brother Valentine S. McClatchy was a company co-owner, but sold out in 1923.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=May 16, 1938 |title=Death Takes Valentine S. McClatchy {{!}} Former Part Owner of Sacramento And Fresno Bee Dies Suddenly |work=The Fresno Bee |page=1}}</ref> C.K. McClatchy bought the ''Sacramento Star'' from Scripps-Howard Newspapers and absorbed it into ''The Bee'' in February 1925.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 7, 1925 |title=Notice Of Consolidation |work=The Sacramento Star |page=1}}</ref> He also launched a Modesto edition of ''The Fresno Bee'' called the ''Modesto Bee'' in June 1925.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 9, 1925 |title=New Daily Will Open on Monday In City Modesto {{!}} McClatchy of Fresno Bee Is Expanding, Says N.C. Baumunk |work=The Record |location=Stockton, California |pages=17}}</ref> The paper ceased after two weeks due to lack of subscriptions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1925 |title=Modesto Bee Is Suspended |work=Visalia Times-Delta |pages=11}}</ref> In August 1927, McClatchy bought the ''News-Herald'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 23, 1927 |title=Modesto News-Herald Bought by McClatchys |work=The Morning Press |pages=1 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and five years later it was renamed to ''The Modesto Bee''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1933 |title=Modesto News-Herald Now Modesto Bee |work=Vallejo Evening News |pages=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Silva |first=Jim |date=April 1, 2022 |title=About Us |url=https://www.modbee.com/customer-service/about-us |access-date=September 10, 2025 |work=The Modesto Bee}}</ref> In 1933, McClatchy's son Carlos K. McClatchy, who was expected to eventually take over for his father, died of Influenza.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1933 |title=Carlos McClatchy's Death Mourned By Friends, Far NEar |work=The Sacramento Bee |page=5}}</ref> At that time McClatchy's youngest daughter Eleanor McClatchy joined the business to be trained as his successor.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1980 |title=Eleanor McClatchy is Dead |work=The Sacramento Union |page=1}}</ref> In 1935, the ''Sacramento Bee'' won its first Pulitzer Prize.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 7, 1935 |title=Awards Are Made For Best Work In Literary, Journalistic Fields |work=News and Record |location=Greensboro, North Carolina |page=1}}</ref> In 1936, C.K. McClatchy died.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 27, 1936 |title=The Life Of Charles K. McClatchy |work=The Sacramento Bee |page=1}}</ref> In 1938, V.S. McClatchy died.<ref name=":1" />
=== Expansion === Eleanor McClatchy managed the company for the next four decades.<ref name=":2" /> In 1963, McClatchy acquired the television station KOVR in Stockton, California, from Metromedia.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1963 |title=TV Station KOVR Sold to McClatchy |work=The Record |location=Stockton, California |page=38}}</ref> In 1978, Eleanor McClatchy retired. She died two years later.<ref name=":2" /> Charles K. McClatchy, son of Carlos K. McClatchy, then took over as president of McClatchy Newspapers.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=McQuiston |first=John T. |date=April 17, 1989 |title=Charles K. McClatchy, 62, Dies; Led Newspaper Company in West - New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/17/obituaries/charles-k-mcclatchy-62-dies-led-newspaper-company-in-west.html |access-date=2012-03-05 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Under him, the company acquired the ''Anchorage Daily News'' in January 1979,<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1979 |title=California Paper Chain Will Buy Daily News |work=Anchorage Times |page=2 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> sold KOVR to The Outlet Company for $65 million,<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 6, 1979 |title=Eastern firm to buy McClatchy KOVR |work=The Modesto Bee |page=27}}</ref> then purchased the ''Tri-City Herald'' in October 1979,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1979 |title=McClatchy Buys Tri-City Herald |work=Anchorage Times |page=18 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> followed by the ''Tacoma News Tribune'' and ''Pierce County Herald'' in 1986.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1986 |title=New owners shake Tacoma newspaper |work=The Daily News |location=Port Angeles, Washington |page=6 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The company went public to reduce debt in 1988, but the McClatchy family maintained 99% voting control of the corporation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weil |first=Henry |date=February 8, 1988 |title=McClatchy Newspapers Inc. wants cash to reduce debt |work=San Antonio Light |location=San Antonio, Texas |page=36}}</ref> C. K. McClatchy II died suddenly of a heart attack while out jogging in April 1989.<ref name=":3" /> He was succeeded by Erwin Potts, the first non-family member to lead the company.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Locke |first=Cathy |date=May 18, 2017 |title=Erwin Potts, former journalist and chairman of McClatchy Co., dies at 85 |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/obituaries/article151451657.html |access-date=May 20, 2017 |work=The Sacramento Bee |language=en}}</ref>
In September 1989, McClatchy acquired three dailies in South Carolina from The News & Observer Company for $74.1 million. The sale included ''The Herald'' of Rock Hill, ''The Island Packet'' of Hilton Head, and ''The Beaufort Gazette'' of Beaufort.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 26, 1989 |title=McClatchy purchases three South Carolina newspapers |work=Enterprise-Record |page=27 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In August 1992, the ''Ellensburg Daily Record'' was acquired.<ref name="bee920826">{{cite news |date=August 26, 1992 |title=McClatchy Buys Paper in Ellensburg, Wash. |url= |access-date= |work=The Fresno Bee |page=26}}</ref> In May 1995, McClatchy bought the rest of N&O Co., including ''The News & Observer'' of Raleigh, North Carolina, for $373 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Best |first=J. Ward |date=May 18, 1995 |title=N&O confirms sale of paper to Calif. chain for $373M |work=The Herald-Sun |page=1}}</ref> In June 1995, the ''Peninsula Gateway'' was purchased.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 22, 1995|title=Weekly sold to McClatchy|work=The Peninsula Clarion|location=Kenai, Alaska|pages=3|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In October 1996, the ''Daily Record'' was sold to Pioneer News Group.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1996 |title=McClatchy chain to sell Ellensburg Daily Record to Pioneer of Seattle |work=The News Tribune |pages=14}}</ref> In November 1997, McClatchy agreed to purchase the Cowles Media Company for $1.4 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Endicott |first=William |date=November 14, 1997 |title=McClatchy buys media company for $1.4 billion |work=The Fresno Bee |page=33}}</ref> The sale was completed in March 1998. McClatchy kept the ''Minneapolis Star Tribune'', and sold off two magazine and book publishing businesses owned by Cowles Media to PRIMEDIA for $200 million.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 10, 1998 |title=COMPANY NEWS; PRIMEDIA IN DEAL WITH MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/10/business/company-news-primedia-in-deal-with-mcclatchy-newspapers.html |url-access=limited |work=The New York Times |pages=D3 |agency=Reuters}}</ref> In December 2003, McClatchy bought six newspapers in the San Joaquin Valley from Pacific-Sierra Publishing. The sale included the daily ''Merced Sun-Star'' and five non-dalies: ''Sierra Star'' of Oakhurst, ''Los Banos Enterprise'', ''Chowchilla News'', ''Atwater Signal'' and ''Livingston Chronicle''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 2003 |title=McClatchy buys Merced paper for $40.5 million |work=The Hanford Sentinel |page=2 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
=== Knight Ridder sale === In 2006, McClatchy purchased Knight Ridder for $4.5 billion and assumed $2 billion in debt. Due to the size difference, one observer equated the deal to "a dolphin swallowing a small whale." At that time Knight Ridder was the country's second largest newspaper chain and owned 32 dallies while McClatchy only owned 12 dallies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seelye |first=Katharine Q. |last2=Ross Sorkin |first2=Andrew |date=March 13, 2006 |title=Newspaper Chain Agrees to a Sale for $4.5 Billion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/13/business/media/newspaper-chain-agrees-to-a-sale-for-45-billion.html |access-date=November 25, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Due to antitrust concerns from the United States Department of Justice, McClatchy agreed to sell 12 former Knight Ridder papers for $2.078 billion. The ''San Jose Mercury'' and ''Contra Costa Times'' went to Bay Area News Group, co-owned by MediaNews. The ''St. Paul Pioneer Press'' and ''The Monterey County Herald'' went to Hearst Communications, who agreed to later resell them to MediaNews.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Carey |first=Pete |date=August 3, 2006 |title=Sales of 12 former Knight Ridder papers closed |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |page=18}}</ref> ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' and ''Philadelphia Daily News'' went to Philadelphia Media Holdings.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yao |first=Deborah |date=May 24, 2006 |title=McClatchy sells Philadelphia newspapers {{!}} Inquirer and Daily News net $562 million |work=Intelligencer Journal |location=Lancaster, Pennsylvania |page=20}}</ref> The ''Akron Beacon Journal'' went to Black Press Media, ''The News-Sentinel'' went to Ogden Newspapers, the ''Duluth News Tribune'' went to Forum Communications Company, ''Aberdeen American News'' went to Schurz Communications.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 13, 2006 |title=McClatchy releases sale prices of five former KR papers |work=Citizens' Voice |location=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |page=A24 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The ''Wilkes-Barre Times Leader'' was sold to private investors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubinkam |first=Michale |date=June 27, 2006 |title=McClatchy sells last Knight Ridder paper {{!}} Wilkes-Barre's Times Leader sold to private investors. |work=The Evening Sun |location=Hanover, Pennsylvania |pages=8 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
The Knight Ridder sale left McClatchy with a 15% stake in CareerBuilder, a 15% stake in ShopLocal and a 11.5% stake in Topix.net.<ref name=":4" /> In December 2006, McClatchy sold the ''Minneapolis Star Tribune'', its largest newspaper at the time, for $530 million to private-equity firm Avista Capital Partners. Selling at a loss gave McClatchy a $160 million tax break.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 28, 2006 |title=Paper sale gives McClatchy a tax break |work=The Wichita Eagle |page=22 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
=== Bankruptcy === Amid the Great Recession, McClatchy cut its workforce by 10% in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kasler |first=Dale |last2=Hightower |first2=Eve |date=June 17, 2008 |title=McClatchy cuts workforce 10 percent |url=https://www.modbee.com/news/business/article3109399.html |access-date=September 21, 2025 |work=Fresno Bee}}</ref> Pruitt left the company in 2012 and was succeeded as CEO by Patrick Talamantes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 22, 2012 |title=McClatchy CEO Pruitt is leaving to lead AP |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=B2}}</ref> In January 2017, Craig Forman was appointed as the new president and chief executive officer.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=January 26, 2017 |title=Craig Forman New CEO of McClatchy Co. |language=en |newspaper=ABC News |agency=The Associated Press |location=Sacramento |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/craig-forman-ceo-mcclatchy-45056213 |access-date=2022-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043501/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/craig-forman-ceo-mcclatchy-45056213 |archive-date=2017-02-02}}</ref> In February 2019, Forman emailed all staff to say about 10% of the newspaper chain's employees would be offered voluntary buyouts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/mcclatchy-follows-buzzfeed-vice-and-others-in-cutting-staff-11070151|title=McClatchy Follows BuzzFeed, Vice, and Others in Cutting Staff|last=Strouse|first=Chuck|date=2019-02-01|website=Miami New Times|access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref>
On February 13, 2020, The McClatchy Company and 54 affiliated companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The company cited pension obligations and excessive debt as the primary reasons for the filing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/mcclatchy-company-newspaper-publisher-files-for-bankruptcy|title=Newspaper Chain McClatchy Files for Bankruptcy Protection|last=Ronalds-Hannon|first=Eliza|date=2020-02-13|website=Bloomberg Law|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Publisher McClatchy Co. Files For Bankruptcy, Disrupting 30 Newspapers |newspaper=NPR.org |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/13/805760494/publisher-mcclatchy-co-files-for-bankruptcy-disrupting-30-newspapers |access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref><ref name="WSJ02132020">{{cite news |last1=Maidenberg |first1=Micah |date=13 February 2020 |title=Newspaper Publisher McClatchy Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/newspaper-publisher-mcclatchy-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-11581598316 |access-date=13 February 2020}}</ref> The debt obtained from the Knight Ridder acquisition and the decision not to retain any of Knight Ridder's digital division or corporate staff, despite the growing prominence of the Internet and Knight Ridder having a well-respected effort in the space at the time, were cited as contributing factors in the bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Telford |first=Taylor |last2=Heath |first2=Thomas |last3=O'Connell |first3=Jonathan |date=February 13, 2020 |title=Newspaper giant McClatchy files for bankruptcy, hobbled by debt and declining print revenue |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/02/13/newspaper-giant-mcclatchy-files-bankruptcy-hobbled-by-debt-declining-print-revenue/ |access-date=2025-11-26 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In August 2020, the Court approved an offer by Chatham Asset Management—a hedge fund that also owns a 66% share in Canadian publisher Postmedia—to acquire McClatchy for $312 million. The company stated that it would not impose any layoffs, and would honor all existing union agreements.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tracy |first=Marc |date=2020-08-04 |title=McClatchy, Family-Run News Chain, Goes to Hedge Fund in Bankruptcy Sale |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/business/media/mcclatchy-newspapers-bankrutpcy-chatham.html |access-date=2023-03-16 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Flynn |first=Kerry |date=2020-08-03 |title=Another hedge fund is sweeping up newspapers. This time, journalists are cautiously optimistic|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/03/media/mcclatchy-newspaper-chatham/index.html |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Tony W. Hunter was named CEO.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=Kevin G. |date=August 7, 2020 |title=Chatham names former Tribune executive as new CEO, says it will keep McClatchy name |url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article244794532.html |access-date=November 26, 2025 |work=McClatchyDC}}</ref>
=== Consolidation === In August 2022, McClatchy sold the ''Los Banos Enterprise''.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Payton |first=Allen D. |date=2022-08-24 |title=Introducing the new owner of the Los Banos Enterprise |url=https://losbanosenterprise.com/community/2022/introducing-the-new-owner-of-the-los-banos-enterprise/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Los Banos Enterprise |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 11, 2023, McClatchy laid off the editorial cartoonists of three of its newspapers, Kevin Siers at ''The Charlotte Observer'', Jack Ohman at ''The Sacramento Bee'', and Joel Pett at the ''Lexington Herald-Leader''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cavna |first=Michael |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/comics/2023/07/12/mcclatchy-cartoonists-layoffs/ |title=Three Pulitzer-winning cartoonists let go in one shocking day |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 12, 2023 |access-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref> In November 2023, McClatchy sold its Charlotte printing plant to North State Media for $4.65 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mildenberg |first=David |date=2023-09-14 |title=NC publisher buys press from McClatchy |url=https://businessnc.com/nc-publisher-buys-press-from-mcclatchy/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=Business North Carolina |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2024, the company dropped its Associated Press wire service.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Gannett, McClatchy news chains say they will stop using Associated Press content|url=https://www.ap.org/media-center/ap-in-the-news/2024/gannett-mcclatchy-news-chains-say-they-will-stop-using-associated-press-content/|work=The Associated Press|access-date=2025-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822234326/https://www.ap.org/media-center/ap-in-the-news/2024/gannett-mcclatchy-news-chains-say-they-will-stop-using-associated-press-content/|archive-date=August 22, 2025|language=en-US|last=Bauder|first=David|date=March 19, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2024, Chatham Asset Management-owned magazine publisher a360media (the former American Media, Inc.) was merged into McClatchy, with the company renamed McClatchy Media, and a360media's assets forming the basis of the new McClatchy Lifestyle & Entertainment division.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-13|title=McClatchy completes merger with publisher accelerate360|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2024/12/13/mcclatchy-completes-merger-accelerate360.html|access-date=2026-02-09|website=Sacramento Business Journal|language=en-US|last=Anderson|first=Mark}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Wilner |first=Michael |date=December 13, 2024 |title=Completing merger, 'McClatchy Media' forms with lifestyle brands and greater reach |url=https://www.bradenton.com/news/nation-world/national/article297018779.html |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Bradenton Herald}}</ref>
In May 2025, the company announced that ''Closer, First for Women, In Touch,'' and ''Life & Style'' would cease publication, with their staff laid off.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Chris |date=2025-05-30 |title=In Touch, Life & Style, Closer and First for Women Magazines to Shutter, Lay Off Entire Staffs |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/media-magazine-layoffs-life-and-style-in-touch-closer-mcclatchy-1236234252/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2025, the company closed its Washington, D.C. bureau.<ref name=":6" />
==Business ventures== ===DC Bureau=== McClatchyDC was a news agency that distributed original reporting from McClatchy's Washington, D.C. bureau, which was acquired from Knight Ridder in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Latest National, World & Political News - McClatchy Washington Bureau |url=http://www.McClatchyDC.com |website=www.mcclatchydc.com}}</ref> It was the largest client of the McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.<ref name="poynter">{{cite news |last1=Beaujon |first1=Andrew |date=May 8, 2014 |title=Tribune buys out McClatchy's stake in MCT newswire |url=https://www.poynter.org/2014/tribune-will-take-ownership-of-mcclatchy-tribune-information-services-job-cuts-coming-in-d-c/251151/ |access-date=June 2, 2017 |publisher=Poynter}}</ref> In 2008, McClatchy's bureau chief in D.C., John Walcott, was the first recipient of the I. F. Stone Medal for Journalistic Independence, awarded by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grinapol |first1=Corinne |date=April 7, 2016 |title=Reuters Adds John Walcott as Foreign Affairs and National Security Editor |url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/reuters-adds-john-walcott-as-foreign-affairs-and-national-security-editor/ |access-date=June 2, 2017 |work=AdWeek}}</ref><ref name="Walcott">{{cite web |last=Walcott |first=John |date=October 9, 2008 |title=John Walcott: Truth is not subjective |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/257/story/53716.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012005206/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/257/story/53716.html |archive-date=October 12, 2008 |access-date=2008-10-13 |work=Acceptance speech |publisher=McClatchy Newspapers}}</ref> In November 2025, McClatchyDC ceased operations.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Darcy |first=Oliver |date=November 4, 2025 |title=McClatchy's Quiet Cuts |url=https://www.status.news/p/mcclatchy-layoffs-dc-bureau |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=Status |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-11-07 |title=An exit from DC |url=https://americanpressinstitute.org/an-exit-from-dc/ |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=American Press Institute |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== El Dorado Newspapers === In 1978, McClatchy formed El Dorado Newspapers, a subsidiary created to acquire and administer smaller newspapers in California.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=October 11, 1988 |title=A proud tradition of McClatchy publishing |work=Free Lance |location=Hollister, California |pages=18}}</ref> El Dorado acquired the ''Gilroy Dispatch'' in September 1978,<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 22, 1978 |title=Gilroy Dispatch Sale Announced |work=Santa Cruz Sentinel |pages=10 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> ''The Morgan Hill Times'' in July 1979,<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 11, 1979 |title=McClatchy Unit Buys Newspaper |work=The Sacramento Bee |pages=41}}</ref> ''Clovis Independent'' in October 1979,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 3, 1979 |title=McClatchy buys Clovis Paper |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=21}}</ref> ''Lincoln News Messenger'' in May 1980,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1980 |title=McClatchy buys paper |work=The Press-Tribune |pages=1 |publication-place=Roseville, California}}</ref> and ''Hollister Free Lance'' in January 1981.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1981 |title=Partners to print Hollister paper |work=The Modesto Bee |pages=34}}</ref> ''The Dispatch'', ''Free Lance'' and ''The Times'' were operated under the name Gavilan Newspapers.<ref name=":5" /> In April 1989, El Dorado in one deal acquired the ''Amador Ledger'', ''Amador Dispatch'', ''Amador Progress-News and Amador Advertiser.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Terhaar |first=Joyce |date=April 27, 1989 |title=McClatchy execs take new titles |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=16}}</ref> The ''Ledger'' and ''Dispatch'' were then merged to form the ''Amador Ledger-Dispatch''.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=1902-04-18 |title=Amador Ledger Archive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/paper/amador-ledger/1279/ |access-date=2025-09-27 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
In September 1994, McClatchy sold the ''Lincoln News Messenger'' to Brehm Communications Inc.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 1, 1994 |title=Brehm publisher buys Messenger {{!}} Parent company of Auburn Journal assumes ownership role today |work=Lincoln News Messenger |pages=1}}</ref> In October 1996, McClatchy announced it would sell the ''Amador'' ''Ledger-Dispatch,'' ''Hollister Free Lance'', ''Morgan Hill Times'' and ''Gilroy Dispatch'' to USMedia Group, Inc.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nax |first=Stanford |date=October 19, 1996 |title=McClatchy Newspapers sells 4 of its publications |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=47}}</ref> The ''Clovis Independent'', the last paper to have operated under the El Dorado banner, ceased operations in June 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippert |first=Patti J. |date=June 27, 2008 |title=Thanks for the memories {{!}} The Clovis Independent proudly captures your way of life for 103 years |work=The Fresno Bee |pages=KA1}}</ref>
=== Nando Media === Nando Media was an Internet subsidiary that provided business support and material for Internet media. McClatchy acquired it when it purchased The News & Observer Company in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McClatchy Interactive |url=https://sp-edge.com/companies/124363 |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=SPEEDA Edge |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-12-16 |title=McClatchy completes merger with accelerate360 |url=https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/mcclatchy-completes-merger-with-accelerate360,253424 |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=Editor and Publisher |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-07-06 |title=McClatchy, a Family Newspaper Business, Heads Toward Hedge-Fund Ownership (Published 2020) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/business/media/mcclatchy-newspapers-hedge-fund.html |access-date=2025-11-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Nando brand was abandoned and the unit was renamed to McClatchy Interactive in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 28, 2005 |title=It's Goodbye to Nando; Hello to McClatchy Interactive |url=https://wraltechwire.com/2005/02/28/its-goodbye-to-nando-hello-to-mcclatchy-interactive/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=WRAL TechWire |language=en-US}}</ref> It was absorbed into the rest of McClatchy in 2015 and became the company's digital division.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2015 |title=McClatchy plans reorganization as it emphasizes digital publishing |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2015/02/12/mcclatchy-plans-senior-management-reorganization.html |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Sacramento Business Journal}}</ref>
=== Newswire === McClatchy inherited a partnership with the Tribune Company in the news service Knight Ridder-Tribune Information Services, renamed to McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, when it acquired Knight Ridder in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |last=Seelye |first=Katharine Q. |author2=Andrew Ross Sorkin |date=2006-03-12 |title=Knight Ridder Newspaper Chain Agrees to Sale |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50817FB3B550C718DDDAA0894DE404482&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fS%2fSorkin%2c%20Andrew%20Ross |work=The New York Times |format=Fee}}</ref> Tribune bought out McClatchy's share of the company in 2014 and moved its headquarters to Chicago.<ref name="poynter" />
=== Ponderay Newsprint Mill === McClatchy was part of a consortium of five U.S. newspaper companies that, along with a Canadian forest products company, jointly owned the Ponderay Newsprint Mill near Spokane, Washington.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crompton |first=Kim |date=February 26, 1997 |title=Ponderay Newsprint might get new operator |url=https://www.spokanejournal.com/local-news/ponderay-newsprint-might-get-new-operator/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=Spokane Journal of Business}}</ref> The plant opened in 1989 and closed in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sokol |first=Chad |date=June 30, 2020 |title=Ponderay Newsprint mill closure involves 148 permanent layoffs, state says |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/jun/30/ponderay-newsprint-mill-closure-involves-148-perma/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=www.spokesman.com}}</ref> A year later it sold for $18.1 million to a California-based venture capital company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clouse |first=Thomas |date=April 29, 2021 |title=California venture capital company outbids Kalispel Tribe for Ponderay Newsprint mill in Usk |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/apr/28/california-venture-capital-company-outbids-kalispe/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=The Spokesman-Review}}</ref>
==Criticism== On August 4, 2013, McClatchy Newspapers, citing anonymous sources, reported on conversations between Ayman al-Zawahiri, who succeeded Osama bin Laden as the head of Al Qaeda, and Nasser al-Wuhayshi, the head of the Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, discussing an alleged imminent terrorist attack. Two days previously, ''The New York Times'' had agreed to withhold the identities of the Al Qaeda leaders after US intelligence officials claimed the information could jeopardize their operations. Government analysts and officials interviewed by the ''Times'' said this disclosure caused more immediate damage to American counter-terrorism efforts than the thousands of classified documents disclosed by Edward Snowden; after the McClatchy publication, there was a sharp drop in the terrorists' use of a major communications channel that the authorities were monitoring.<ref name=Leak>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/30/us/qaeda-plot-leak-has-undermined-us-intelligence.html | title=Qaeda Plot Leak Has Undermined U.S. Intelligence | work=The New York Times | first1=Eric | last1=Schmitt | first2=Michael S. | last2=Schmidt | date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> Subsequently, officials searched for new ways to monitor communications among Al Qaeda's leaders and operatives.<ref name=Leak/>
== Publications ==
=== Daily newspapers === '''Note:''' ('''*''')—Indicates newspaper acquired in 2006 Knight Ridder purchase. {{div col|small=yes|colwidth=30em}} *''The Beaufort Gazette'' (Beaufort, South Carolina) *''Belleville News-Democrat'' (Belleville, Illinois)* *''The Bellingham Herald'' (Bellingham, Washington)* *''The Bradenton Herald'' (Bradenton, Florida)* *''Centre Daily Times'' (State College, Pennsylvania)* *''The Charlotte Observer'' (Charlotte, North Carolina)* *''Ledger-Enquirer'' (Columbus, Georgia)* *''The Fresno Bee'' (Fresno, California) *''The Herald'' (Rock Hill, South Carolina) *''The Herald-Sun'' (Durham, North Carolina) *''The Idaho Statesman'' (Boise, Idaho)* *''The Island Packet'' (Hilton Head, South Carolina) *''The Kansas City Star'' (Kansas City, Missouri)* *''Lexington Herald-Leader'' (Lexington, Kentucky)* *''Merced Sun-Star'' (Merced, California) *''Miami Herald'' (Miami, Florida)* *''El Nuevo Herald'' (Miami, Florida)* *''The Modesto Bee'' (Modesto, California) *''The News & Observer'' (Raleigh, North Carolina) *''The Olathe News'' (Olathe, Kansas)* *''The Olympian'' (Olympia, Washington)* *''The Sacramento Bee'' (Sacramento, California) *''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'' (Fort Worth, Texas)* *''The State'' (Columbia, South Carolina)* *''Sun Herald'' (Biloxi, Mississippi)* *''Sun News'' (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)* *''The News Tribune'' (Tacoma, Washington)* *''The Telegraph (Macon)'' (Macon, Georgia)* *''The San Luis Obispo Tribune'' (San Luis Obispo, California)* *''The Wichita Eagle'' (Wichita, Kansas) *''Tri-City Herald'' (Kennewick, Washington) {{div col end}}
=== Magazines === * ''Closer'' * ''First for Women'' * ''In Touch'' * ''Life & Style'' * ''Us Weekly'' * ''Woman's World''
==== Dailies acquired in Knight Ridder purchase, then sold ==== {{div col|small=yes|colwidth=30em}} * ''Aberdeen American News'' (Aberdeen, South Dakota)<br>(Completed June 27, 2006) * ''Akron Beacon Journal'' (Akron, Ohio)<br>(Completed August 2, 2006) * ''Contra Costa Times'' (Walnut Creek, California)<br>(Completed August 2, 2006) * ''Duluth News Tribune'' (Duluth, Minnesota)<br>(Completed June 27, 2006) * ''Fort Wayne News-Sentinel'' (Fort Wayne, Indiana)<br>(Completed June 27, 2006) * ''Grand Forks Herald'' (Grand Forks, North Dakota)<br>(Completed June 27, 2006) * ''The Herald'' (Monterey, California)<br>(Completed August 2, 2006) * ''Philadelphia Daily News'' (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)<br>(Completed June 29, 2006) * ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)<br>(Completed June 29, 2006) * ''St. Paul Pioneer Press'' (St. Paul, Minnesota)<br>(Completed August 2, 2006) * ''San Jose Mercury News'' (San Jose, California)<br>(Completed August 2, 2006) * ''Times Leader'' (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)<br>(Completed August 2, 2006) {{div col end}}
*
== Formerly-owned stations == McClatchy Broadcasting was founded in 1936 when four radio stations in California merged to operate under one ownership.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Company Is Formed For Bee Radio Stations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-new-company-is-formed-for/186389136/ |access-date=December 7, 2025 |newspaper=The Fresno Bee |date=March 14, 1936 |location=Fresno, California |page=2-A |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1987, McClatchy divested its remaining four radio stations; KFBK and KAER to Group W,<ref name="SACBEE10091987">{{cite news |last=J. Alcott |first=Martha |title=Group W grabs reins at KFBK, KAER |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-group-w-grabs-reins-a/186388365/ |access-date=December 7, 2025 |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |date=October 9, 1987 |location=Sacramento, California |page=C12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and KMJ and KNAX to Henry Broadcasting Co.,<ref>{{cite news |last=Larson |first=Larry |title=Bay area firm will buy KMJ, KNAX: Final agreement subject to review, regulatory approval |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-bay-area-firm-will-buy-km/186388646/ |access-date=December 7, 2025 |newspaper=The Fresno Bee |date=July 9, 1987 |location=Fresno, California |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-kmj/186388712/ A14] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> in order to focus on its newspaper properties.<ref name="SACBEE10091987" />
* Stations are arranged in alphabetical order by state and city of license. * Two boldface asterisks appearing following a station's call letters ('''**''') indicate a station built and signed on by McClatchy.
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Stations owned by McClatchy Broadcasting ! scope="col" | Media market ! scope="col" | State ! scope="col" | Station ! scope="col" | Purchased ! scope="col" | Sold ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2" | Bakersfield || rowspan="12" | California ! scope="row" | KERN ** | 1932 || 1962 || |- ! scope="row" | KERN-FM ** | 1948 || 1962 || |- | rowspan="3" | Fresno ! scope="row" | KMJ | 1925 || 1987 || |- ! scope="row" | KNAX ** | 1948 || 1987 || {{Efn|Known as KMJ-FM prior to 1981.}} |- ! scope="row" | KMJ-TV ** | 1953 || 1981 || |- | rowspan="2" | Modesto ! scope="row" | KBEE | 1956 || 1983 || |- ! scope="row" | KBEE-FM ** | 1948 || 1983 || |- | rowspan="3" | Sacramento ! scope="row" | KVQ | colspan="2" | 1922 || |- ! scope="row" | KFBK | 1922 || 1987 || |- ! scope="row" | KAER ** | 1947 || 1987 || {{Efn|Known as KFBK-FM prior to 1978.}} |- | rowspan="2" | Stockton ! scope="row" | KWG | 1930 || 1955 || |- ! scope="row" | KOVR | 1963 || 1980 || |- | rowspan="2" | Reno || rowspan="2" | Nevada ! scope="row" | KOH | 1931 || 1982 || |- ! scope="row" | KNEV | 1978 || 1982 || |}
''This list does not include an unbuilt Channel 10 station in Sacramento, CA, which went to KBET-TV (now KXTV), owned by Sacramento Telecasters.''
{{notelist}}
== See also == * {{Portal-inline|California}} * {{Portal-inline|Companies}} * {{Portal-inline|Journalism}} * ''Seattle Times'' – McClatchy owns 49.5% stake, with the Blethen family controlling the other 50.5%
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://www.mcclatchy.com}} {{Finance links | name = The McClatchy Company | symbol = MNIQQ | reuters = MNIQQ.PK | bloomberg = MNIQQ:US | sec_cik = MNIQQ | yahoo = MNIQQ | google = MNIQQ | nasdaq = MNIQQ }} * {{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Joel |date=2001-09-10 |title=Good as Gold: His Peers Hail McClatchy's Gary Pruitt as the Rising Star Among Newspaper CEOs Vol 134 Iss 35 |language=English |work=Editor & Publisher |publisher=Duncan McIntosh |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_2001-09-10_134_35/page/n25/mode/2up |access-date=2021-12-09}} * [http://www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/mcclatchy-company-polls/ Ipsos / The McClatchy Company Polls] * [http://news.mcclatchy.com/ McClatchy Washington Bureau] * {{cite encyclopedia|url = http://www.niemanlab.org/encyclo/mcclatchy|title = McClatchy|author = Nieman Journalism Lab|encyclopedia = Encyclo: an Encyclopedia of the Future of News|access-date = 1 April 2012}} * [https://www.winwithmcclatchy.com McClatchy Advertising – WinWithMcClatchy.com] * [http://business.mcclatchy.com McClatchy Ad Manager – Self-Service Advertising]
{{McClatchy}} {{White House James S. Brady Press Briefing Room seating chart}} {{IWMF awards}} {{PulitzerPrize Explanatory Reporting}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcclatchy Company, The}} McClatchy Category:American companies established in 1857 Category:Newspaper companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Sacramento, California Category:Mass media in Sacramento County, California Category:Publishing companies established in 1857 Category:1857 establishments in California Category:Companies formerly listed on NYSE American Category:Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange Category:Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism winners Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 Category:2020 mergers and acquisitions Category:2024 mergers and acquisitions