In the aftermath of losing a local newspaper, a town is forced to find its news through alternative channels. This is the premise of Andrew Conte’s rich and compelling book, Death of the Daily News. It traces the tragic decline of one community’s paper and provides guidance on the future of local journalism.
The Daily News was a metro tabloid that reached peak circulation in 1947 at 2.4 million copies per day. For more than five decades, the paper was a staunchly Republican newspaper. During the early years of World War II, the paper endorsed isolationism. After the war, it turned into a moderate liberal newspaper. With a circulation of over 200,000 by 2016, the Daily News was one of the most widely read newspapers in the United States.
Today, the Daily News is owned by Tribune Publishing. Former president and CEO of the company Jim Rich is ousted from his position, and a series of furloughs has led to a reduction in newsroom staff. While the daily print publication remains in The News Building, its former radio station, WPIX-FM, is now owned by CBS Radio.
As a result, the Daily News’s staff is uncertain about the future of their jobs. Over the past several decades, the newspaper has moved from its original headquarters in East 42nd Street to another location on West 33rd Street. However, the distinctive four-faced clock that identifies the newsroom remains.
The Daily News is a leading newspaper in terms of sports coverage and feature writing. In addition, it has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, for its commentary.
Despite the fact that the Daily News is a major news institution, the newspaper has fallen into financial trouble for decades. Although it has survived the changing media landscape, it has never been profitable. Since 2017, the company has been owned by Tribune Publishing.
Among the key players at the Daily News were chairman and co-publisher Mortimer B. Zuckerman, a real estate developer and media mogul. He bought the paper out of bankruptcy in 1993 and sold it to Tronc, a Chicago-based media corporation.
A few years after his purchase, Zuckerman changed the name of the newspaper to the Daily News. During the next decade, its circulation increased to over two million copies a day. Meanwhile, the newspaper’s reputation as a moderate liberal alternative to the right-wing New York Post continued to grow.
One of the most important features of the Daily News is its commitment to local reporting. In addition to its daily newspaper, the newspaper includes a sports section, a lively opinion section, and classified ads. Those who are time-challenged can still enjoy the newspaper in an interactive digital format. There are also digital editions for mobile devices.
The Daily News’s online version is a convenient way to enjoy the newspaper, as it includes the latest digital tools and interactive features. This makes the daily newspaper an ideal choice for busy readers.