Knight Ridder, Inc.

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Knight Ridder, Inc.

American company

Also known as: Knight Newspapers, Knight Ridder Newspapers

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Knight Ridder, Inc. was a major American newspaper chain formed in 1974 through the merger of Knight Newspapers and the Ridder newspaper chain. John S. Knight, a respected journalist and publisher, founded Knight Newspapers, acquiring influential papers like The Miami Herald and the Detroit Free Press.1

The company grew significantly, with its newspapers winning numerous Pulitzer Prizes. By the early 21st century, Knight Ridder was a prominent player in the U.S. media landscape. In 2006, the McClatchy Company acquired Knight Ridder.12

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John S. Knight
…Ridder Newspapers group (later renamed Knight Ridder, Inc.). Other papers owned by the group include The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Kansas City Star, the San Jose Mercury News, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. By the early 21st century Knight Ridder newspapers had won more than 80 Pulitzer Prizes.
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…Ridder Newspapers group (later renamed Knight Ridder, Inc.). Other papers owned by the group include The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Kansas City Star, the San Jose Mercury News, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. By the early 21st century Knight Ridder newspapers had won more than 80 Pulitzer Prizes.
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Detroit Free Press
…merger in 1974 that formed Knight Ridder newspapers.
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…merger in 1974 that formed Knight Ridder newspapers.
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The Miami Herald
…the largest American newspaper chains, Knight Ridder. The Herald extended its international edition to Mexico in 2002. In 2006 ownership of the paper passed to the McClatchy Company after its acquisition of Knight Ridder. However, because of increasing financial difficulties in a struggling newspaper industry, the Herald subsequently underwent a…
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…the largest American newspaper chains, Knight Ridder. The Herald extended its international edition to Mexico in 2002. In 2006 ownership of the paper passed to the McClatchy Company after its acquisition of Knight Ridder. However, because of increasing financial difficulties in a struggling newspaper industry, the Herald subsequently underwent a…
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The Philadelphia Inquirer
…in the merger of the Knight and Ridder groups in 1974; each, however, maintained editorial independence. In 2006 the McClatchy Company acquired Knight Ridder; McClatchy subsequently sold the Inquirer and the Daily News, which passed through a succession of owners.
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…in the merger of the Knight and Ridder groups in 1974; each, however, maintained editorial independence. In 2006 the McClatchy Company acquired Knight Ridder; McClatchy subsequently sold the Inquirer and the Daily News, which passed through a succession of owners.
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