Tribune Media

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Tribune Media

American media company

Also known as: Tribune Company

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July 16, 2026

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Tribune Media was an American media company that owned television stations, digital and technological operations, and real estate holdings. It was founded in 1847 as the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Over time, it grew into a large media conglomerate.1

In 2007, businessman Sam Zell acquired a controlling interest in the Tribune Company, aiming for economic gains. However, the company faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Zell later left the company after it emerged from bankruptcy in 2012.2

In 2017, Sinclair Broadcast Group attempted to acquire Tribune Media, which would have made Sinclair the largest broadcaster in the U.S. This deal was ultimately withdrawn in 2018 due to antitrust concerns. The Tribune Company's publishing division was later spun off in 2014, and the company underwent restructuring.31

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The Baltimore Sun
…Times Mirror merged with the Tribune Company, and The Baltimore Sun thereby became a subsidiary of the latter. An Internet version of the paper was launched in 1996. In 2014 the publishing division of the Tribune Company was spun off, and The Sun became part of the newly formed company,…
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…Times Mirror merged with the Tribune Company, and The Baltimore Sun thereby became a subsidiary of the latter. An Internet version of the paper was launched in 1996. In 2014 the publishing division of the Tribune Company was spun off, and The Sun became part of the newly formed company,…
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Sam Zell
He then bid on the Tribune Company (see Chicago Tribune), offering $315 million for a controlling interest in the Chicago-based media firm. Few bidders had expressed interest when the Tribune put itself on the market in September 2006, and, when Zell came forward, the Tribune’s management favoured his offer over…
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He then bid on the Tribune Company (see Chicago Tribune), offering $315 million for a controlling interest in the Chicago-based media firm. Few bidders had expressed interest when the Tribune put itself on the market in September 2006, and, when Zell came forward, the Tribune’s management favoured his offer over…
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Chicago Tribune
…and later media conglomerate, the Tribune Company—was founded in 1847 by three Chicagoans. However, the paper was close to bankruptcy in 1855, at which time Joseph Medill and five partners bought it. Medill, a Canadian-born editor who became an Ohio newspaper publisher, made the Tribune a profitable operation while using…
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…and later media conglomerate, the Tribune Company—was founded in 1847 by three Chicagoans. However, the paper was close to bankruptcy in 1855, at which time Joseph Medill and five partners bought it. Medill, a Canadian-born editor who became an Ohio newspaper publisher, made the Tribune a profitable operation while using…
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Newsday
…and became part of the Tribune Company in 2000. In 2008 the Tribune Company agreed to sell Newsday to Cablevision Systems Corporation.
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…and became part of the Tribune Company in 2000. In 2008 the Tribune Company agreed to sell Newsday to Cablevision Systems Corporation.
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Sinclair, Inc.
2000s–2010s Expansion
…2017, Sinclair sought to acquire Tribune Media, a deal that would have made it the nation’s largest broadcaster. Tribune withdrew in 2018 after federal regulators raised antitrust concerns. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) later fined Sinclair $48 million for disclosure violations in connection with the deal. Sinclair nonetheless expanded its…
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…2017, Sinclair sought to acquire Tribune Media, a deal that would have made it the nation’s largest broadcaster. Tribune withdrew in 2018 after federal regulators raised antitrust concerns. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) later fined Sinclair $48 million for disclosure violations in connection with the deal. Sinclair nonetheless expanded its…
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Norman Chandler
…sold the company to the Tribune Company of Chicago. (See Chicago Tribune.)
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…sold the company to the Tribune Company of Chicago. (See Chicago Tribune.)
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