History of Boston Herald in Timeline

The Boston Herald is an American daily newspaper established in 1846, primarily serving Boston, Massachusetts, and its surrounding areas. As one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States, it has received eight Pulitzer Prizes, including recognition for editorial writing and photography. In 2012, Editor & Publisher acknowledged the Herald as one of the '10 Newspapers That 'Do It Right'.' The newspaper converted to a tabloid format in 1981.

1904: Hearst Started The American

In 1904, William Randolph Hearst began publishing his own newspaper in Boston called The American.

1912: Acquisition of The Traveler

In 1912, the Boston Herald acquired The Traveler, continuing to publish both under their own names.

October 1917: Acquisition of The Boston Journal

In October 1917, John H. Higgins, the publisher and treasurer of the Boston Herald, bought out The Boston Journal to create The Boston Herald and Boston Journal.

1917: Purchased by William Randolph Hearst

In 1917, the Boston Daily Advertiser was purchased by William Randolph Hearst.

1920: Merged with The Boston Record

In 1920, The Advertiser was merged with The Boston Record, initially being called the Boston Advertiser.

1921: Renamed The Boston American

In 1921, the combined newspaper of The Advertiser and The Boston Record was renamed The Boston American when it became an illustrated tabloid.

1938: Daily Advertiser Changed to Daily Record

By 1938, the Daily Advertiser had changed to the Daily Record, and The American had become the Sunday Advertiser.

1946: Acquired Boston Radio Station WHDH

In 1946, Herald-Traveler Corporation acquired Boston radio station WHDH.

November 26, 1957: WHDH-TV Debut

On November 26, 1957, WHDH-TV made its debut as an ABC affiliate on channel 5.

1960: Luncheon Meetings Controversy

Around 1960, controversy arose over luncheon meetings the Boston Herald's chief executive purportedly had with John C. Doerfer, chairman of the FCC between 1957 and 1960, during the original licensing process.

1961: Merged Afternoon Record with Daily Record

In 1961, Afternoon Record, which had been renamed the Evening American, merged with the Daily Record to form the Record American.

1961: WHDH-TV Affiliation Switch

In 1961, WHDH-TV's affiliation switched to CBS.

1967: Suspension of The Traveler

After a newspaper strike in 1967, Herald-Traveler Corp. suspended the afternoon Traveler and absorbed the evening edition into the Herald to create the Boston Herald Traveler.

1969: Competing Applicant Granted Permit

In 1969, the FCC ordered comparative hearings, and a competing applicant, Boston Broadcasters, Inc., was granted a construction permit to replace WHDH-TV on channel 5.

March 19, 1972: WHDH-TV Surrendered Channel 5

On March 19, 1972, WHDH-TV was forced to surrender channel 5 to the new WCVB-TV.

June 19, 1972: Combined Newspaper Name

On June 19, 1972, the first editions published under the new combined name were those of the Boston Herald Traveler and Record American in the morning and Record American and Boston Herald Traveler in the afternoon.

1972: Merged into The Boston Herald Traveler

In 1972, the Sunday Advertiser and Record American were merged into The Boston Herald Traveler.

September 1981: Converted to Tabloid Format

In September 1981, the Herald American converted to tabloid format.

1981: Converted to Tabloid Format

In 1981, the Boston Herald converted to a tabloid format.

December 3, 1982: Avoided Closure

On December 3, 1982, The Hearst Corporation announced it would close the Herald American, but Rupert Murdoch negotiated to buy the paper and save it.

February 1994: News Corporation Forced to Sell

In February 1994, Murdoch's News Corporation was forced to sell the Boston Herald.

July 29, 1998: Boston Herald

Boston Herald on July 29, 1998.

2001: Circulation Decline

In 2001, the Boston Herald fell victim to declining circulation and revenue, along with nearly all newspapers.

2006: Sale of Community Newspaper Company

In 2006, Purcell sold the Community Newspaper Company to Liberty Group Publishing for $225 million.

2012: Named one of the "10 Newspapers That 'Do It Right'"

In 2012, Editor & Publisher named the Boston Herald as one of the "10 Newspapers That 'Do It Right'."

August 5, 2013: Launched Boston Herald Radio

On August 5, 2013, the Boston Herald launched an internet radio station named Boston Herald Radio.

December 2017: Announced Plans to Sell to GateHouse Media

In December 2017, the Boston Herald announced plans to sell itself to GateHouse Media after filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

December 2017: Filed for Bankruptcy

In December 2017, the Boston Herald filed for bankruptcy.

December 2017: Sought Bankruptcy Protection

In December 2017, the Boston Herald sought bankruptcy protection, employing approximately 240 people at the time.

January 2018: Revolution Capital Group Filed Bid

In early January 2018, Revolution Capital Group filed a bid with the federal bankruptcy court to acquire the Boston Herald.

February 14, 2018: Digital First Media Acquisition

On February 14, 2018, Digital First Media successfully bid $11.9 million to purchase the Boston Herald in a bankruptcy auction.

February 2018: Acquisition Approved

In February 2018, the acquisition of the Boston Herald by Digital First Media for almost $12 million was approved by the bankruptcy court judge in Delaware.

February 2018: Deal Completion Schedule

In February 2018, the deal to be completed to GateHouse Media was scheduled with the new company streamlining and having layoffs in coming months.

March 19, 2018: Acquisition Completed

On March 19, 2018, the acquisition of the Boston Herald by Digital First Media was completed.

August 2018: Employee Count

As of August 2018, the Boston Herald had approximately 110 total employees.

August 2018: Office Move Announcement

In late August 2018, it was announced that the Boston Herald would move its offices from Boston's Seaport District to Braintree, Massachusetts, in late November or early December.