New York Post
Alexander Hamilton established the New-York Evening Post in autumn 1801 with about $10,000 from a group of Federalist investors. Hamilton appointed William Coleman as his first editor that same year. Coleman served until his death in 1829. The paper began as a broadsheet designed to counter the rising popularity of the Democratic-Republican Party after Thomas Jefferson won the presidency. Co-investors included Robert Troup and Oliver Wolcott who met at Archibald Gracie's weekend villa now known as Gracie Mansion. Hamilton recruited these New York members of the Federalist Party during that meeting. The publication became a respected voice under William Cullen Bryant later in the nineteenth century. Bryant was an abolitionist poet whose editorship earned praise from English philosopher John Stuart Mill in 1864. William Leggett wrote political editorials for the paper while also opposing central banking and supporting labor unions. He became co-owner and editor in 1831 before working as sole editor when Bryant traveled to Europe. John Bigelow joined as co-owner and editor from 1849 to 1861. Isaac Henderson Sr. defrauded Bryant over a thirty-three-year tenure ending in 1879. His son Isaac Henderson Jr. sold his interest in 1881. Henry Villard took control in 1881 managing both the Evening Post and The Nation. Carl Schurz Horace White and Edwin L. Godkin formed a triumvirate running the paper until Schurz left in 1883. Oswald Garrison Villard inherited management in 1897 as a founding member of the NAACP.
Dorothy Schiff purchased the newspaper in 1939 and transformed it into its modern tabloid format alongside her husband Ted Thackrey who became co-publisher and co-editor in 1942. Schiff had previously owned the paper since 1934 when J. David Stern changed its name to New York Post and restored broadsheet size with a liberal perspective. Under Schiff's leadership circulation grew by two-thirds after the World Journal Tribune failed. The Bronx Home News merged with the Post in 1945. James Wechsler ran news and editorial pages starting in 1949 before turning over news to Paul Sann in 1961. The paper lost $500,000 in Schiff's final year despite making money from 1949 onward. Rising operating costs combined with worsening traffic congestion cut profitability. Murdoch bought the Post for US$30.5 million in November 1976 with plans to retain Schiff as consultant for five years. The daily circulation dropped from 700,000 around 1967-68 to approximately 517,000 by 1976. A morning edition launched in 1978 to compete directly with rival Daily News prompting them to create Daily News Tonight which folded in 1981. Circulation peaked at 962,000 partly due to a single-day record of 1.1 million on the 11th of August 1977 following David Berkowitz arrest. Jane Amsterdam became first female editor in 1988 but was forced out within a year by owner Peter Kalikow who claimed credible stories did not sell more papers.
Rupert Murdoch acquired the newspaper again in 1993 after News Corporation purchased it back from Peter S. Kalikow who had declared bankruptcy. Steven Hoffenberg temporarily managed the paper before staff revolted publishing an issue featuring Alexander Hamilton's masthead with a teardrop running down his cheek. Federal Communications Commission granted Murdoch a permanent waiver allowing him to own both television stations and newspapers in New York markets. Ronald Reagan's campaign team credited Murdoch and the Post for his victory in New York during the 1980 presidential election. The paper endorsed Donald Trump for re-election in October 2020 citing promises made policy. Weeks after Trump lost the election the Post published editorial asking him to stop the insanity while calling his actions cheering for undemocratic coup. Keith Poole appointed editor-in-chief of New York Post Group in January 2021. At least eight journalists left around that same time. The Post has been unprofitable since Murdoch bought it from Dorothy Schiff in 1976 losing up to $70 million annually according to media reports. September 2022 marked when the Post became profitable posting profit for quarter and year to date. Digital network reached approximately 198 million unique users in June 2022 compared to 123 million prior year. The daily circulation was 525,004 in 2010 ranking fourth-largest newspaper in United States while Daily News ranked eighth.
Richard Jewell security guard sued the Post in 1998 alleging libel over articles headlines photographs and editorial cartoons regarding Centennial Olympic Park bombing suspicions. Judge Loretta Preska denied motion to dismiss allowing suit to proceed before settlement on undisclosed terms. In April 2013 the Post featured full-page cover photo titled Bag Men showing two young men Salaheddin Barhoum and Yassine Zaimi erroneously claimed sought by police after Boston Marathon bombing. They were not suspects yet editors defended story claiming they did not refer to them as suspects. Two men later sued settling in 2014 on undisclosed terms. An 1989 article described five black and Latino teenagers arrested following Central Park rape assault coming from world of crack welfare guns knives indifference ignorance set out to smash hurt rob stomp rape rich white people. Convictions overturned after confession of serial rapist confirmed with DNA evidence. A 2009 cartoon showed white police officer saying to another who shot chimpanzee They'll have to find someone else to write next stimulus bill compared Obama Black president to monkey drawing criticism from Al Sharpton calling it troubling given historic racist attacks. Public Enemy song Letter To New York Post complained about negative inaccurate coverage received by Black people. In 2019 image displayed World Trade Center flames targeting Representative Ilhan Omar leading Yemeni American Merchant Association boycott extending over 900 stores.
Page Six gossip section began in 1977 created by James Brady famous for blind items. Richard Johnson edited Page Six for twenty-five years starting 1985 before Emily Smith replaced him in 2009. Ian Mohr became editor replacing Smith in June 2022. Page Six Magazine debuted February 2006 distributed free inside paper then weekly Sunday edition September 2007 cut to four times yearly January 2009. Daily syndicated series Page Six TV aired beginning 2017-18 season produced by 20th Television and Endemol Shine North America originally hosted by John Fugelsang. Wagmeister Greer Smith retained as co-hosts after Fugelsang left March 2018 ending May 2019 last average viewership out all U.S. syndicated newsmagazine programs behind Daily Mail TV. Decider website launched 2014 providing recommendations streaming services first only editor-in-chief Mark Graham. Graham said service would strike balance visual imagery written word pop culture omniscience. Decider signed deal app provider Reelgood 2019 channeling advertising revenue both companies value undisclosed. New York Post Entertainment division formed July 2018 Troy Searer president scripted unscripted television entertainment division. Test run July occurred Fox Television Stations garnered highest ratings nationally syndicated entertainment newsmagazine decade when debuted 2017.
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Common questions
Who established the New York Post and when was it founded?
Alexander Hamilton established the New-York Evening Post in autumn 1801 with about $10,000 from a group of Federalist investors. William Coleman served as his first editor that same year.
When did Dorothy Schiff purchase the newspaper and what changes did she make?
Dorothy Schiff purchased the newspaper in 1939 and transformed it into its modern tabloid format alongside her husband Ted Thackrey who became co-publisher and co-editor in 1942. The Bronx Home News merged with the Post in 1945 under her leadership.
How much did Rupert Murdoch pay for the New York Post in 1976?
Murdoch bought the Post for US$30.5 million in November 1976 with plans to retain Schiff as consultant for five years. The daily circulation dropped from 700,000 around 1967-68 to approximately 517,000 by 1976.
What legal controversies has the New York Post faced regarding libel cases?
Richard Jewell security guard sued the Post in 1998 alleging libel over articles headlines photographs and editorial cartoons regarding Centennial Olympic Park bombing suspicions. In April 2013 the Post featured full-page cover photo titled Bag Men showing two young men Salaheddin Barhoum and Yassine Zaimi erroneously claimed sought by police after Boston Marathon bombing.
When was Page Six created and who edited it for twenty-five years starting 1985?
Page Six gossip section began in 1977 created by James Brady famous for blind items. Richard Johnson edited Page Six for twenty-five years starting 1985 before Emily Smith replaced him in 2009.