The Seattle Times

• 1. Founding And Early Growth

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  Alden J. Blethen purchased the Seattle Press-Times in 1896 for a sum that remains unrecorded in available sources. The four-page newspaper had started with a daily circulation of 3,500 copies just five years prior. Within six months of his acquisition, the paper doubled its readership numbers to reach 7,000 subscribers. By 1915, the publication had grown to serve 70,000 people across Washington state. Maine teacher and attorney Alden Blethen transformed the small local sheet into a major regional voice through aggressive expansion strategies.

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• 2. Ownership Structure Evolution

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  The Blethen family holds 50.5% of voting common stock in the Seattle Times Company as of current records. McClatchy Company owns the remaining 49.5% stake following their 2006 acquisition from Knight Ridder. This unique split allows the Blethens to maintain majority control while sharing operational responsibilities. The arrangement has persisted since 2006 without significant structural changes. Other newspapers owned by the company include three additional publications within Washington state boundaries.

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• 3. Physical Headquarters Relocations

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  The newspaper moved to the Times Square Building at 5th Avenue and Olive Way in 1915. A new headquarters called the Seattle Times Building rose north of Denny Way in 1930. Staff relocated to their current address at 1000 Denny Way during 2011. Plans exist for another move to a Cascade neighborhood location scheduled for 2026. These physical transitions reflect changing urban development patterns throughout Seattle's history.

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• 4. Format Shift To Morning Edition

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  the 6th of March 2000 marked the day the paper switched from afternoon delivery to morning distribution. Management cited concerns about avoiding the fate of defunct afternoon newspapers as the primary motivation. This strategic decision placed The Seattle Times in direct competition with its Joint Operating Agreement partner. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer remained a morning publication until becoming online-only nine years later. Industry analysts noted this shift as a critical survival tactic for traditional print media.

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• 5. Pulitzer Prize Legacy

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  Eleven Pulitzer Prizes have been awarded to staff members since the first win in 1975. Dominic Gates, Mike Baker, Steve Miletich, and Lewis Kamb received national reporting honors in 2020 for Boeing 737 MAX crash coverage. Michael Berens and Ken Armstrong won investigative reporting recognition in April 2012 regarding methadone deaths. Paul Henderson secured an award in 1982 after overturning Steve Titus' wrongful rape conviction. Jerry Gay captured spot news photography fame in 1975 with his firefighter image titled Lull in the Battle.

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• 6. Editorial Controversies

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  February 2002 saw Executive Editor Mike Fancher issue an apology following backlash over a skating headline. The subheadline American outshines Kwan, Slutskaya in skating surprise offended many Asian American community leaders. Michelle Kwan was also American despite being of Chinese descent according to critics. the 17th of October 2012 brought protests when publishers launched advertising campaigns supporting Republican candidate Rob McKenna. More than 100 staffers signed a letter calling the $80,000 independent expenditure unprecedented and inappropriate.

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• 7. Joint Operating Agreement History

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  The partnership between The Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer operated from 1983 until the 17th of March 2009. Advertising, production, marketing, and circulation were controlled by The Times for both publications under this agreement. Hearst sued The Times in 2003 claiming force majeure clauses prevented withdrawal due to losses. A Washington State Supreme Court decision on the 30th of June 2005 allowed The Times to terminate the contract. The final printed edition of the Post-Intelligencer appeared on the 17th of March 2009 before ceasing all operations.

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