Hearst Newspapers

Hearst Newspapers, a division of the Hearst Corporation, is a prominent media organization specializing in the publication of newspapers and digital news platforms. Established in 1887 by William Randolph Hearst, the company has grown to become a significant player in the American media landscape.

Its portfolio includes several major newspapers and digital news outlets, with a strong presence in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Flagship Publications

One of its flagship publications is the San Francisco Chronicle, a daily newspaper serving the Bay Area since 1865. This is the only major daily newspaper covering the city and county of San Francisco.

It provides comprehensive news coverage, including local, national, and international news, as well as in-depth reporting on politics, business, arts, and culture. The Chronicle has a significant readership, with a Sunday circulation of 246,592 and an average Monday to Friday circulation of 226,860.

In addition to the Chronicle, Hearst Newspapers operates SFGate. This digital news platform covers news, culture, travel, food, politics, and sports in the San Francisco Bay Area, Hawaii, and California.

Launched in 1994, SFGate reaches approximately 25 to 30 million unique readers monthly, making it the second most popular news site in California after the Los Angeles Times. Since 2019, SFGate and the San Francisco Chronicle have operated as independent newsrooms, allowing a focused approach to their audiences.

Hearst Corporation Overview

Beyond newspapers and digital platforms, Hearst Newspapers is part of the larger Hearst Corporation— a diversified media, information, and services company. The corporation owns a variety of media assets including magazines, television channels, and stations.

Notable magazine titles under Hearst's ownership include Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, and Harper's BAZAAR.

Television assets include a 50% stake in A&E Networks, which operates channels such as A&E, HISTORY, and Lifetime. Additionally, Hearst holds a 20% stake in ESPN Inc., the sports television network.

Recent Business Strategy

In recent years, Hearst has transformed, with more than 50% of its profits now coming from business-to-business (B2B) products rather than traditional consumer media.

This shift arose from strategic investments in financial services, healthcare, and transportation sectors. For example, Hearst acquired Fitch Group, a leading bond rating business contributing significantly to profits.

Despite challenges in consumer media, Hearst's local television business remains profitable. The company continues investing in both traditional and B2B sectors to drive growth.

Locations

Hearst Newspapers is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, USA.

The corporation operates across multiple geographic locations, including markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Summary of Locations:

• San Francisco, CA, USA
• Europe
• Middle East
• Africa