The Onion, a satirical news organization, was founded in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1988 as a weekly print publication. Its online presence began in 1996, followed by the launch of the Onion News Network in 2007, featuring satirical news videos and audio. The print edition ceased in 2013, coinciding with the establishment of Onion Labs, an advertising agency. The Onion underwent several ownership changes: Univision acquired it in 2016, merging it with Gizmodo Media Group, which was then sold to Great Hill Partners in 2019, forming G/O Media. Finally, in 2024, The Onion was purchased by Global Tetrahedron, led by former Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson, who subsequently revived the print edition.
August 29, 1988: The Onion Founded
On August 29, 1988, The Onion was founded as a weekly print publication in Madison, Wisconsin.
1988: The Onion Begins Print Publication
In 1988, The Onion started its print publication, which was distributed for free in several cities across the US and Canada, alongside paid mail subscriptions.
1988: The Onion's Founding
University of Wisconsin students Tim Keck and Christopher Johnson founded The Onion as a weekly print newspaper for satirical news in 1988.
1989: The Onion Sold to Dikkers, Haise, and Eddy
In 1989, Keck and Johnson sold The Onion to Scott Dikkers, Peter Haise, and Jonathan Hart Eddy.
June 16, 1993: Dikkers Profiled in The Daily Iowan
On June 16, 1993, The Daily Iowan published a profile of Scott Dikkers, mentioning his role as co-owner of The Onion.
1993: Ben Karlin Joins The Onion
Ben Karlin started working for The Onion after graduating from University of Wisconsin in 1993.
1993: The A.V. Club Founded
The Onion's non-satirical entertainment publication, The A.V. Club, was founded in 1993.
1994: The Onion Pitches "The Comedy Castaways"
In 1994, The Onion pitched a new sketch comedy show called "The Comedy Castaways" to various networks.
1995: The Onion Licenses Name and Content
In 1995, Dave and Jeff Haupt licensed The Onion's name and content for a Denver, Colorado franchise.
1996: Janet Jackson Lawsuit Threat
After appearing online in 1996, The Onion faced a potential lawsuit from Janet Jackson over an article.
1996: "Clinton Deploys Vowels to Bosnia" and Website Launch
In 1996, the online spread of the article "Clinton Deploys Vowels to Bosnia" led to the creation of The Onion's official website.
1996: The Onion Launches Website
In early 1996, The Onion started publishing online.
1996: Karlin Moves to Los Angeles
In the fall of 1996, Ben Karlin moved to Los Angeles to work on a news parody pilot.
1996: The Onion on The Dana Carvey Show
In the spring of 1996, The Onion collaborated with The Dana Carvey Show, creating four short news segments, one of which aired.
1997: "Deadline: Now" Pilot Completed
The pilot for "Deadline: Now" was finished in 1997 but wasn't picked up for a series.
January 27, 1998: "Virtual Bill" Premieres on MTV
On January 27, 1998, MTV premiered "Virtual Bill," a collaborative project between The Onion and Protozoa. The show featured a CGI Bill Clinton, voiced by The Onion's editor Dikkers, introducing music videos and telling jokes.
December 17, 1998: "Virtual Bill" Returns to MTV
On December 17, 1998, "Virtual Bill" returned to MTV with a TV special and an interactive web special. The web special utilized Pulse's technology to make the 3D model web-compatible.
January 1999: Jon Stewart Hires Former Onion Writer for "The Daily Show"
In January 1999, newly appointed "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart hired former Onion writer/editor Robert Karlin as head writer. Karlin described their meeting as an "awkward, but successful first date."
March 18, 1999: The Onion Wins First Webby Award
On March 18, 1999, The Onion's website won its first Webby Award in the "Humor" category.
1999: "The Onion Radio News" Launches
"The Onion Radio News," a podcast/radio show, started in 1999.
1999: The Onion Attends U.S. Comedy Arts Festival
In 1999, The Onion attended the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, receiving praise from notable figures such as Conan O'Brien, Dave Foley, Dave Thomas, Peter Bagge, and Andy Prieboy.
1999: Bob Odenkirk Praises The Onion
In 1999, comedian Bob Odenkirk lauded The Onion as "the best comedy writing in the country."
1999: End of Dikkers' First Tenure as Editor-in-Chief
Scott Dikkers' first term as The Onion's editor-in-chief ended in 1999. He served from 1988-1999.
1999: Our Dumb Century Published
The Onion published "Our Dumb Century" in 1999, marking the start of their book releases.
April 2000: DreamWorks Options Two Onion Stories
In April 2000, DreamWorks Studios optioned two stories from The Onion: "Canadian Girlfriend Unsubstantiated" and "Tenth Circle Added to Rapidly Growing Hell." The latter was planned as a family comedy, much to the surprise of Onion writers.
June 2000: The Onion Participates in Comedy Central Panel
In June 2000, The Onion's writers and editors participated in a Comedy Central panel discussion, "The State of The Onion," moderated by Jeff Greenfield during the Toyota Comedy Festival 2000.
July 2000: Robert Siegel Named One of People Magazine's Most Eligible Bachelors
In July 2000, The Onion's editor, Robert Siegel, was named one of People magazine's most eligible bachelors.
2000: The Onion Relocates to New York City
From late 2000 to early 2001, The Onion moved its editorial offices from Madison, Wisconsin to New York City. The move aimed to raise the publication's profile, expand into a production company, and develop content in other media.
February 2001: Miramax Films Announces First-Look Deal with The Onion
In February 2001, Miramax Films, headed by Harvey Weinstein, announced a first-look deal with The Onion to develop scripts and features.
July 2001: David Schafer Purchases The Onion
David Schafer's purchase of The Onion, a process that began in July 2001, was finalized in 2003. Schafer bought the company from long-time owners Peter Haise and Scott Dikkers.
September 27, 2001: The Onion Debuts New York City Print Edition
On September 27, 2001, The Onion debuted its New York City print edition with an issue focused on the September 11 attacks. The issue was well-received, significantly increasing the website's traffic.
2001: The Onion Relocates to New York City
From late 2000 to early 2001, The Onion moved its editorial offices from Madison, Wisconsin to New York City. The move aimed to raise the publication's profile, expand into a production company, and develop content in other media.
November 2002: Michael Bay Op-Ed Removed from The Onion
In November 2002, a humorous op-ed piece satirically attributed to Michael Bay, titled "Those Chechen Rebels Stole My Idea," was removed from The Onion's website without explanation.
2002: The Onion's Readership Discussed
In 2002, then-editor Rob Siegel discussed The Onion's readership, noting its diverse composition of students and professionals.
2003: Changes at The Onion: New Owner, New Editor
In 2003, The Onion was purchased by David Schafer. Also that year, editor Robert Siegel stepped down to focus on screenwriting, and Carol Kolb took over as editor.
2003: "The Onion Movie" Production Begins
Production began on "The Onion Movie" in 2003 with Fox Searchlight Pictures.
September 2005: White House Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter to The Onion
In September 2005, the White House sent a cease-and-desist letter to The Onion regarding their use of the presidential seal in a parody of President Bush.
2005: The Onion Moves Offices Within New York City
In 2005, The Onion moved its New York City offices from Chelsea to the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan.
2005: Dikkers Returns as Editor-in-Chief
Scott Dikkers returned as The Onion's editor-in-chief in 2005.
June 2006: Robert Siegel to Write "Homeland Insecurity" Screenplay
In June 2006, former Onion editor Robert Siegel was hired by Miramax Films to write the screenplay for "Homeland Insecurity," a comedy about Arab-Americans mistaken for terrorists.
July 2006: Rumors of Viacom's Interest in Purchasing The Onion
Rumors emerged in July 2006 about Viacom's potential acquisition of The Onion. The New York Times reported that discussions were in the early stages.
2006: Joe Randazzo Joins The Onion
Joe Randazzo became a writer for The Onion in 2006.
2006: New Regency Takes Over "The Onion Movie"
In 2006, New Regency Productions took over production of "The Onion Movie" from Fox Searchlight Pictures.
April 2007: Onion News Network Launched
In April 2007, The Onion introduced the Onion News Network, a daily web video broadcast, with an initial investment of $1 million and 15 new hires.
April 2007: Onion News Network Launches
In April 2007, The Onion launched the Onion News Network, a parody of 24-hour cable news networks.
November 2007: Onion News Network Declared a Success
In November 2007, former Onion President Mills declared the Onion News Network a major success, boasting over a million downloads per week.
2007: Our Dumb World Published
In 2007, The Onion released "Our Dumb World," an original book.
2007: Onion News Network Launched
The Onion began publishing satirical news audio and video online as the Onion News Network in 2007.
June 3, 2008: "The Onion Movie" DVD Release
"The Onion Movie," initially planned for theatrical release by Fox Searchlight Pictures in 2003, was released directly to DVD on June 3, 2008, after production difficulties and a change in studios to New Regency Productions.
2008: Carol Kolb and Joe Randazzo Take on New Roles
In 2008, Carol Kolb became head writer of the Onion News Network, and Joe Randazzo became editor of The Onion. Randazzo was the first editor without ties to the publication's Madison, Wisconsin, era.
2008: Onion Digital Studios Launches YouTube Series
In 2008, The Onion launched a series of videos exclusively for YouTube, funded in part by a grant from the platform.
2008: End of Dikkers' Second Tenure as Editor-in-Chief
Scott Dikkers' second term as The Onion's editor-in-chief ended in 2008. He served from 2005-2008.
2008: The Onion Wins Peabody Award
The Onion was awarded a Peabody Award in 2008.
February 3, 2009: Onion Sports Network Launched
On February 3, 2009, The Onion launched the Onion Sports Network, a spin-off of the Onion News Network.
April 2009: The Onion Awarded Peabody
In April 2009, The Onion received a Peabody Award for its "ersatz news that has a worrisome ring of truth."
July 2009: The Onion's Chinese-Themed Week
In July 2009, following the fake sale announcement to a Chinese company, The Onion ran a series of Chinese-related articles and features across its website and print editions for a week.
July 20, 2009: The Onion's Fictional Sale Announcement
On July 20, 2009, news began circulating about The Onion's potential sale. This was later revealed to be a hoax orchestrated by the publication, with Publisher Emeritus T. Herman Zweibel claiming to have sold The Onion to the fictional Chinese company Yu Wan Mei Corporation.
July 22, 2009: The Onion Clarifies Sale Rumors on NPR
Following the fictional sale announcement, The Onion's editor, Joe Randazzo, clarified on NPR's All Things Considered on July 22, 2009, that the publication was still an independently owned American company and the sale was a joke.
November 2009: Our Front Pages: 21 Years of Greatness, Virtue, and Moral Rectitude From America's Finest News Source Released
In November 2009, The Onion published a compilation of front pages spanning its 21-year history. The book, titled "Our Front Pages: 21 Years of Greatness, Virtue, and Moral Rectitude From America's Finest News Source," showcases the publication's evolution from casual campus humor in the 1980s with headlines like "Depressed? Try Liposuction on that Pesky Head" to its more recognized news parody format.
2009: "The Onion Radio News" Ends
"The Onion Radio News" ended its run in 2009.
January 2011: The Onion Launches Two TV Shows
In January 2011, The Onion debuted two television shows: Onion SportsDome on Comedy Central and Onion News Network on IFC.
March 2011: Onion News Network Renewed for Second Season
IFC renewed Onion News Network for a second season in March 2011.
June 2011: Onion SportsDome Cancelled
Comedy Central canceled Onion SportsDome in June 2011.
June 2011: A.V. Club Editor Attacked, Lack of Health Insurance Criticized
In June 2011, A.V. Club Philadelphia city editor Emily Guendelsberger's attack and lack of health insurance through her job drew criticism towards Onion, Inc.
August 2011: The Onion Tests International Paywall
In August 2011, The Onion began testing a paywall for non-U.S. visitors to its website, requiring a monthly or annual fee to read more than five articles within 30 days. This was due to international readers being accustomed to paying for online content.
August 2011: Onion News Network Staff Unionizes
In August 2011, the Onion News Network writing staff unionized with the Writers Guild of America, East, securing improved pay and benefits.
September 2011: The Onion Announces Move to Chicago
In September 2011, The Onion announced its plan to relocate its editorial staff from New York City to Chicago by the summer of 2012, leaving many writers surprised and faced with the decision of whether to move.
September 27, 2011: Joe Randazzo Announces Departure
During a comedy show on September 27, 2011, Joe Randazzo, then-editor of The Onion, announced that he would not be moving with the publication to Chicago.
March 2012: Scott Dikkers Returns, Internal Issues Explored
In March 2012, amid the move to Chicago, founding editor Scott Dikkers returned to The Onion, hoping to recruit fresh talent in the city. Articles published around this time delved into the internal issues surrounding the move, including the writers' attempts to find a new owner for the publication.
March 2012: Cole Bolton Appointed New Editor-in-Chief
Following The Onion's move to Chicago in March 2012, Cole Bolton, a former economist, was named the new editor-in-chief. Bolton's background was unconventional for the role, as he had no prior experience in comedy writing or improv.
March 2012: Onion News Network Cancelled by IFC
IFC cancelled the Onion News Network in March 2012.
August 2012: Former Onion Writers Launch Thing X
In August 2012, a group of former Onion writers collaborated with Adult Swim to launch Thing X, a comedy website.
2012: The Onion Book of Known Knowledge Published
The Onion published "The Onion Book of Known Knowledge" in 2012, another original book release.
February 2013: The Onion Named to Ad Age's Digital A-List
In February 2013, The Onion was recognized for its successful transition to Chicago and its continued growth by being included in Advertising Age's "Digital A-List 2013."
June 2013: Thing X Closure Announcement
The closure of Thing X was announced in June 2013.
June 18, 2013: Thing X Shutdown
On June 18, 2013, Thing X, a comedy website created by former Onion writers in partnership with Adult Swim, officially ceased operations, with some staff members transitioning to the main Adult Swim website.
November 2013: The Onion Announces Move to All-Digital Format
Citing a significant increase in website traffic, The Onion announced in November 2013 that it would transition to an entirely digital format by December 2013.
December 2013: The Onion Goes All-Digital
In December 2013, The Onion completed its transition to a fully digital publication, ceasing its print edition.
December 2013: The Onion Ceases Print Publication
In December 2013, The Onion ended its 25-year print run, which began in 1988. At its peak, the print edition had a circulation of around 500,000.
2013: The Onion Ends Print Edition, Launches Onion Labs
In 2013, The Onion ceased its print publication and launched Onion Labs, an advertising agency.
2013: Michael Cohen's Defamation Claim
In 2013, The Onion received a legal threat from Michael Cohen, who alleged that an article about Donald Trump was defamatory and demanded its removal along with an apology.
June 2014: ClickHole Launched
The Onion launched ClickHole in June 2014, a satirical website parodying clickbait-driven websites like BuzzFeed and Upworthy.
November 2014: The Onion Explores Potential Sale
Reports surfaced in November 2014 that The Onion had hired a financial advisor to explore a potential sale of the company. Onion CEO Steve Hannah confirmed ongoing discussions with interested parties.
2014: Peter Haise Sues The Onion Over Film Credit
In 2014, Peter Haise, former president and CEO of The Onion, filed a lawsuit against the publication's chairman, David K. Schafer, over a missing "Executive Producer" credit on "The Onion Movie."
2014: ClickHole Launched
The Onion launched ClickHole, a satirical website parodying clickbait, in 2014.
2014: Cole Bolton Interviewed by Splitsider
In 2014, Cole Bolton, editor-in-chief of The Onion, discussed his career path in an interview with the comedy publication Splitsider.
June 2015: Steve Hannah Steps Down as CEO
In June 2015, Steve Hannah, CEO of The Onion since 2004, resigned from his position. Mike McAvoy, the company's president, took over as CEO.
September 21, 2015: StarWipe Launch
On September 21, 2015, The Onion launched StarWipe, a spinoff website focused on celebrity culture and satire, as a sister site to The A.V. Club.
October 2015: Onion, Inc. Restructures and Announces Layoffs
In October 2015, CEO Mike McAvoy announced a restructuring of Onion, Inc., leading to layoffs and management changes, citing the company's inability to meet ambitious goals. COO Kurt Mueller explained that the company had overestimated the demand for its non-media-agency content.
January 2016: Univision Acquires 40% Stake in Onion, Inc.
In January 2016, Univision Communications purchased a 40% stake in Onion, Inc., placing The Onion under the Fusion Media Group umbrella alongside sites like Gizmodo, Kotaku, and Deadspin. This move resulted in a shared media platform and consistent content presentation styles across these affiliated sites.
June 17, 2016: StarWipe Closure
On June 17, 2016, The Onion closed StarWipe, its celebrity satire website.
2016: Univision Acquires The Onion
The Onion was acquired by Univision in 2016.
January 2017: The Onion Partners with Lionsgate Films and Serious Business
In January 2017, The Onion announced its partnership with Lionsgate Films and Serious Business to develop multiple film projects. Kyle Ryan, vice president of Onion Studios, expressed intentions to expand into the film industry and win Oscars.
June 16, 2017: Onion Article About Big Show Draws Criticism
An Onion article published on June 16, 2017, satirizing the death of Harambe the gorilla, faced criticism for falsely reporting the death of wrestler Big Show.
September 2017: The Onion Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor Step Down
In September 2017, Cole Bolton and Ben Berkley resigned from their positions as editor-in-chief and executive editor, respectively, due to disagreements about The Onion's direction under Univision's ownership. Chad Nackers, the head writer, assumed the role of editor-in-chief.
2017: Onion Article Mocks Trump's View of Middle East Peace
In 2017, The Onion satirized President Trump's belief that Jared Kushner could quickly resolve the Israeli-Arab conflict.
February 5, 2018: "A Very Fatal Murder" Podcast Premieres
The Onion's first podcast, "A Very Fatal Murder," a parody of true crime podcasts, premiered on February 5, 2018.
April 2018: The Onion Employees Unionize
In April 2018, employees of The Onion and related companies unionized with The Writers Guild of America, East, encompassing creative staffs from multiple departments.
July 2018: Rumors of Layoffs at The Onion
In July 2018, reports emerged about potential layoffs at The Onion, Clickhole, and The A.V. Club, amidst Univision's plans to sell these properties and Gizmodo Media Group. Univision aimed to reduce The Onion's staff by approximately 15%.
December 20, 2018: The Onion Union Reaches Contract Agreement
On December 20, 2018, The Onion union, comprising creative staff from various Onion Inc. branches, finalized a contract agreement with management after unionizing with The Writers Guild of America, East in April 2018.
April 8, 2019: Great Hill Partners Acquires The Onion
On April 8, 2019, Great Hill Partners purchased Gizmodo Media Group, including The Onion, from Univision, forming G/O Media Inc.
May 2019: Former Editor Expresses Regret Over Joe Biden Caricature
In May 2019, former Onion editor Joe Garden publicly expressed regret over the publication's portrayal of Joe Biden, believing it positively impacted Biden's image and overshadowed valid criticisms.
2019: The Onion Becomes Part of G/O Media
Univision merged The Onion with Gizmodo Media Group, which was then sold to Great Hill Partners in 2019, forming G/O Media.
January 16, 2020: "The Topical" Podcast Launches
"The Topical," a news podcast parodying NPR, launched on January 16, 2020.
February 2020: ClickHole Acquired by Cards Against Humanity
ClickHole was acquired by Cards Against Humanity in February 2020.
October 3, 2022: The Onion Files Amicus Brief with Supreme Court
On October 3, 2022, The Onion filed its first amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court in support of Anthony Novak, who was prosecuted for parodying a police department's Facebook page.
March 2024: The A.V. Club Acquired by Paste Magazine
The A.V. Club was acquired by Paste Magazine in March 2024.
April 2024: The Onion Sold to Global Tetrahedron
G/O Media sold The Onion to Global Tetrahedron, a firm started by former Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson, in April 2024. The print edition was revived later that year.
2024: The Onion Announces Return of Monthly Print Edition
In 2024, The Onion's new owners revealed the return of a monthly print edition for subscribers.