Editing Hearst Communications (section)

=== Newspaper shifts ===
Hearst moved into hardcover publishing by acquiring [[Arbor House]] in 1978 and [[William Morrow and Company]] in 1981.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/16/arts/donald-fine-75-publisher-of-suspenseful-best-sellers.html|title=Donald Fine, 75, Publisher Of Suspenseful Best Sellers|last=Smith|first=Dinitia|date=August 16, 1997|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 24, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Hearst acquires leading book publisher| work=United Press International| access-date=August 28, 2018| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/02/13/Hearst-acquires-leading-book-publisher/5505350888400/}}</ref>

In 1982, the company sold the ''[[Boston Herald|Boston Herald American]]'' — the result of the 1972 merger of Hearst's ''Record-American & Advertiser'' with the ''Herald-Traveler'' — to [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/11/18/Murdoch-Hearst-agree-on-sale-of-Boston-Herald-American/3484406443600/|title=Murdoch, Hearst agree on sale of Boston Herald American|website=UPI|language=en|access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref> which renamed the paper as ''[[The Boston Herald]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/22/us/boston-newspaper-renamed.html|title=Boston Newspaper Renamed |agency=Associated Press |date=December 22, 1982|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 20, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> competing to this day with ''[[The Boston Globe]]''.

In 1986, Hearst bought the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' and that same year closed the 213-year-old ''[[Baltimore News-American]]'' after a failed attempt to reach a JOA with [[Arunah Shepherdson Abell|A.S. Abell Company]], the family who published ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' since its founding in 1837. Abell sold the paper several days later to the [[Tribune Company|Times-Mirror]] syndicate of the Chandlers' ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', also competitor to the ''[[Los Angeles Herald-Examiner]]'', which folded in 1989. In 1990, both King Features Entertainment and King Phoenix Entertainment were rebranded under the collective Hearst Entertainment umbrella. King Features Entertainment was renamed to Hearst Entertainment Distribution, while King Phoenix Entertainment was renamed to Hearst Entertainment Productions.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1990-04-16|title=Hearst|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/90-OCR/BC-1990-04-16-OCR-Page-0027.pdf|access-date=2021-09-24}}</ref>

In 1993, Hearst closed the ''San Antonio Light'' after it purchased the rival ''[[San Antonio Express-News]]'' from Murdoch.<ref>{{cite web|last=Donecker|first=Frances|url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/san-antonio-light|title=San Antonio Light|website=[[Handbook of Texas]]|publisher=[[Texas State Historical Association]]|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

On November 8, 1990, Hearst Corporation acquired 20% stake of [[ESPN Inc.|ESPN, Inc.]] from [[RJR Nabisco]] (now a subsidiary of [[Mondelez International]]) for a price estimated between $165 million and $175 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/09/business/hearst-to-buy-20-espn-stake-from-rjr.html|title=Hearst to Buy 20% ESPN Stake From RJR|last=Fabrikant|first=Geraldine|date=November 9, 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 23, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The other 80% has been owned by [[The Walt Disney Company]] since 1996. Over the last 25 years, the ESPN investment is said to have accounted for at least 50% of total Hearst Corp profits and is worth at least $13 billion.<ref>{{cite journal| title=Is the world's first media group now the best?| url=https://flashesandflames.com/2013/12/22/is-the-worlds-first-media-group-now-the-best/| last=Morrison| first=Collin| date=December 23, 2013| journal=Flashes & Flames| access-date=May 13, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428022318/http://www.flashesandflames.com/2013/12/is-the-worlds-first-media-group-now-the-best/| archive-date=April 28, 2018| url-status=dead| df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In April 1995, Netscape Communications Corporation announced Hearst was part of a group of private investors who purchased stake in the company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pitta |first=Julie |date=1995-08-10 |title=Investors Get Caught Up in the Netscape : Wall Street: Software company makes an impressive debut, with more than 13.8 million shares changing hands during frenzied trading. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-10-fi-33590-story.html |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-14 |title=Antitrust Division {{!}} Direct Testimony Of Jim Barksdale : U.S. V. Microsoft Corporation; State Of New York V. Microsoft Corporation |url=https://www.justice.gov/atr/direct-testimony-jim-barksdale-us-v-microsoft-corporation-state-new-york-v-microsoft-corporation |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en}}</ref>

On July 31, 1996, Hearst and the [[Grupo Cisneros|Cisneros Group of Companies]] of Venezuela announced its plans to launch [[Locomotion (TV channel)|Locomotion]], a Latin American animation cable television channel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/31/Hearst-launches-TV-cartoon-channel/9981838785600/|title=Hearst launches TV cartoon channel|work=United Press International|date=July 31, 1996|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/96-OCR/BC-1996-08-05-OCR-Page-0064.pdf|title=Hearst on track with Locomotion in Latin America|periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=August 5, 1996|access-date=February 20, 2021|via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/1e2a1f167568f446502177eb629412ef|title=Hearst, Cisneros Group Plan All-Animation Channel for Latin America|work=Associated Press|date=July 31, 1996|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

On March 27, 1997, Hearst Broadcasting announced that it would merge with Argyle Television Holdings II for $525 million, the merger was completed in August to form [[Hearst Television|Hearst-Argyle Television]] (later renamed as Hearst Television in 2009).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/27/business/hearst-to-buy-argyle-tv-in-a-rare-public-venture.html|title=Hearst to Buy Argyle TV In a Rare Public Venture|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 27, 1997|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

In 1999, Hearst sold its Avon and Morrow book publishing activities to [[HarperCollins]].<ref>{{cite news| last=Tharp| first=Paul| title=HarperCollins Buys William Morrow & Avon| work=New York Post| access-date=May 28, 2018| date=June 18, 1999| url=https://nypost.com/1999/06/18/harpercollins-buys-william-morrow-avon/}}</ref>

In 2000, the Hearst Corp. sold its flagship and "Monarch of the Dailies", the afternoon ''San Francisco Examiner'', and acquiring the long-time competing, but now larger morning paper, ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' from the [[M.H. de Young|Charles de Young]] family. The ''San Francisco Examiner'' is now published as a daily freesheet.

In December 2003, [[Marvel Entertainment]] acquired ''Cover Concepts'' from Hearst, to extend Marvel's demographic reach among public school children.<ref name=awn0>{{cite news |last1=DeMott |first1=Rick |title=Marvel Acquires Cover Concepts |url=http://www.awn.com/news/marvel-acquires-cover-concepts |access-date=February 20, 2021 |website=[[Animation World Network]] |date=December 18, 2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715084348/http://www.awn.com/news/marvel-acquires-cover-concepts |archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref>

In 2006, Hearst acquired an interest in Fitch Group, a global financial services company. Hearst increased its ownership of Fitch Group to 80% in 2015, and to 100% in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hearst Diversifies Revenue With Fitch Group Acquisition |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/317530/hearst-diversifies-revenue-with-fitch-group-acquis.html?mobile-app=true&theme=false |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.mediapost.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2009, [[A&E Networks]] acquired [[Lifetime Entertainment Services]], with Hearst ownership increasing to 42%.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/a-e-acquires-lifetime-1118007820/|title=A&E Acquires Lifetime|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=August 27, 2009|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102232152/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007820?refCatId=14|archive-date=November 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/ae-networks-lifetime-merger-completed-35353|title=A&E Networks, Lifetime Merger Completed|last=Atkinson|first=Claire|date=August 27, 2009|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424002819/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/ae-networks-lifetime-merger-completed-35353|archive-date=April 24, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2010, Hearst acquired [[digital marketing]] agency iCrossing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/google-and-hearst-make-digital-acquisitions/|title=Google and Hearst Make Digital Acquisitions|last=Elliott|first=Stuart|date=June 3, 2010|website=Media Decoder Blog|publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]|language=en-US|access-date=April 24, 2019}}</ref>

In 2011, Hearst absorbed more than 100 magazine titles from the [[Lagardère Group]] for more than $700 million and became a challenger of [[Time Inc]] ahead of [[Condé Nast Publications|Condé Nast]]. In December 2012, Hearst Corporation partnered again with [[NBCUniversal]] to launch [[Esquire Network]].

On February 20, 2014, Hearst Magazines International appointed Gary Ellis to the new position, Chief Digital Officer.<ref name="Hearst Magazines International Makes Digital Hire">{{cite web |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/hearst-magazines-international-makes-digital-hire-7491274/ |title=Hearst Magazines International Makes Digital Hire |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |date=February 20, 2014 |access-date=February 24, 2014 |last=Steigrad |first=Alexandra}}</ref> That December, [[DreamWorks Animation]] sold a 25% stake in [[AwesomenessTV (company)|AwesomenessTV]] for $81.25&nbsp;million to Hearst.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-hearst-20141211-story.html|title=Hearst Corp. buys 25% stake in AwesomenessTV|last=Verrier|first=Richard|date=December 11, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref>

In January 2017, Hearst announced that it had acquired a majority stake in [[Litton Entertainment]];Litton entertainment was rebranded as Hearst Media Production Group, in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Paige Albiniaklast |date=2022-01-13 |title=Hearst Media Production Group is Litton Entertainment's New Name |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/hearst-media-production-group-is-the-new-name-of-litton-entertainment |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Broadcasting+Cable |language=en}}</ref> Its CEO, Dave Morgan, was a former employee of Hearst.<ref name="tvspy-hearstlitton">{{cite news |title=Hearst Invests in Media Entertainment Production Company |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/hearst-invests-in-media-entertainment-production-company/183796/ |journal=TVSpy |last=Eck |first=Kevin |date=January 9, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hearst Acquires Majority Stake in Independent Distributor Litton Entertainment |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/hearst-entertainment-litton-acquires-syndication-1201954104/ |work=Variety |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref>

On January 23, 2017, Hearst announced that it had acquired the business operations of The Pioneer Group from fourth-generation family owners Jack and John Batdorff. The Pioneer Group was a Michigan-based communications network that circulates print and digital news to local communities across the state. In addition to daily newspapers, ''The Pioneer'' and ''Manistee News Advocate'', Pioneer published three weekly papers and four local shopper publications, and operated a [[digital marketing]] services business.<ref name=IPA>{{cite news| title=Hearst buys 145-year-old Pioneer Group from Batdorff family members| url=http://www.inlandpress.org/stories/hearst-buys-145-year-old-pioneer-group-from-batdorff-family-members,8258| date=February 10, 2017| access-date=August 28, 2018| website=[[Inland Press Association]]| archive-date=November 27, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127042605/http://www.inlandpress.org/stories/hearst-buys-145-year-old-pioneer-group-from-batdorff-family-members,8258| url-status=usurped}}</ref> The acquisition brought Hearst Newspapers to publishing 19 daily and 61 weekly papers.

Other 2017 acquisitions include the ''[[New Haven Register]]'' and associated papers from [[Digital First Media]],<ref>{{cite news| title=Hearst Media Acquires New Haven Register, Other Digital First Assets| url=https://www.wnpr.org/post/hearst-media-acquires-new-haven-register-other-digital-first-assets| last=Jones| first=Harriet| date=June 6, 2017| website=[[Connecticut Public Radio]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Singer| first=Stephen| url=https://www.courant.com/business/hc-hearst-acquisitions-20170605-story.html| title=Hearst Acquires New Haven Register, Other Publications| date=June 5, 2017| work=[[Hartford Courant]]}}</ref> and the [[Alton, Illinois]], ''[[The Telegraph (Alton, Illinois)|Telegraph]]'' and [[Jacksonville, Illinois]], ''[[Journal-Courier]]'' from [[Civitas Media]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/09/01/hearst-acquires-alton-newspaper.html| title=Hearst Acquires Alton Newspaper| date=September 1, 2017| last=Mueller| first=Angela| work=[[American City Business Journals|St. Louis Business Journal]]| access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Hearst-acquires-Journal-Courier-Telegraph-12587232.php| title=Hearst Acquires Journal-Courier, Telegraph| date=August 31, 2017| work=Journal-Courier}}</ref>

In October 2017, Hearst announced it would acquire the magazine and book businesses of [[Rodale, Inc.|Rodale]] in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania]] with some sources reporting the purchase price as about $225 million. The transaction was expected to close in January following government approvals.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-hearst-buys-rodale-20170927-story.html| title=Media giant Hearst will acquire Rodale| last=Wagaman| first=Andrew| date=October 18, 2017| work=[[The Morning Call]]| access-date=October 21, 2017| location=Allentown, Pennsylvania}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hearst-agrees-to-acquire-rodale-inc-publisher-of-mens-health-and-runners-world-1508361381|title=Hearst Agrees to Acquire Rodale Inc., Publisher of Men's Health and Runner's World|last=Trachtenberg|first=Jeffrey A.|date=October 18, 2017|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=October 21, 2017|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

In 2018, Hearst acquired the global health and wellness magazine brands owned by [[Rodale, Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2018 |title=Hearst Completes Acquisition of Rodale Inc. Magazine Media Brands |url=https://www.hearst.com/-/hearst-completes-acquisition-of-rodale-inc-magazine-media-brands |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.hearst.com}}</ref>

In April 2023, Hearst bought [[WBBH-TV]], an NBC-affiliated television station in Fort Myers, Florida, from Waterman Broadcasting Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2023 |title=Hearst To Acquire WBBH-TV (NBC Affiliate), Fort Myers/Naples TV Market Leader, Expanding Florida TV Presence |url=https://www.hearst.com/-/hearst-to-acquire-wbbh-tv-nbc-affiliate-fort-myers/naples-tv-market-leader-expanding-florida-tv-presence |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.hearst.com}}</ref> In June 2023, Hearst acquired the ''[[Journal Inquirer]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-03 |title=Hearst CT Media acquires the Journal Inquirer |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/hearst-ct-media-journal-inquirer-manchester-deal-18133277.php |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=CT Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> and later in October 2023 bought ''San Antonio Magazine.'' The company paid $150,000 in cash plus an amount equal to 90% of the magazine's accounts receivable<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nowlin |first=Sanford |title=The Express-News' parent company is buying San Antonio Magazine |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/news/the-express-news-parent-company-is-buying-san-antonio-magazine-32945914 |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=San Antonio Current |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2023, Hearst acquired all print and digital operations owned by RJ Media Group, including the ''[[Record-Journal]]'', seven weekly newspapers and a digital advertising agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |last3= |date=2023-11-27 |title=Hearst CT Media to acquire Meriden Record-Journal |url=https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/hearst-ct-media-to-acquire-meriden-record-journal,246884 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=[[Editor & Publisher]] |language=en}}</ref> In December 2023, Hearst bought Puzzmo, a puzzle games website.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2023 |title=Hearst Newspapers Acquires Puzzle Games Platform Puzzmo |url=https://www.hearst.com/-/hearst-newspapers-acquires-puzzle-games-platform-puzzmo |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.hearst.com}}</ref>

In April 2024, Hearst acquired the Texas magazines ''Austin Monthly'' and ''Austin Home'' from Open Sky Media. A new organization called was created Hearst Texas Austin Media to manage the titles along with the ''Austin Daily'' newsletter which was created early that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brack |first=Richard |title=Hearst Newspapers buys 2 Austin magazines, creates media company |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/hearst-newspapers-buys-two-austin-magazines-18928300.php |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=San Antonio Express-News |language=en}}</ref> Hearst bought a majority of the [[Motor Trend Group]], including [[Motor Trend]] and its [[Motor Trend (TV network)|TV network counterpart]], [[Hot Rod (magazine)|Hot Rod]], Roadkill, and Automobile, in December 2024.