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Tribune Direct company history timeline

1991

In March 1991 the company paid Maxwell $60 million to assume the Daily News' liabilities.

Nine of the ten unions at the Daily News went on strike in October; the newspaper struggled to publish with replacement workers and eventually, as the strike dragged into 1991, Tribune Company announced that the paper would close unless it was sold.

1993

Already possessing strong positions in two business sectors, Tribune Company quickly added a substantial third leg to its operations with the beginnings of Tribune Education in 1993.

1995

Starting in 1995, online versions of each of these papers began to be developed, with the Internet edition of the Chicago Tribune debuting on the World Wide Web the following year.

1996

Also in 1996, a joint venture with America Online (AOL) called Digital City, Inc.--80 percent owned by AOL and 20 percent owned by Tribune--led to the creation of a series of Digital City web sites, which provided local, interactive news and information.

Tribune Company also purchased a 31 percent stake in TV Food Network, a 24-hour basic cable channel covering food, nutrition, and fitness, which by the end of 1996 could be seen in more than 19 million cable households.

1997

In March 1997 Tribune Company became the number two television group in the United States by acquiring Renaissance Communications Corp. for $1.1 billion in cash.

The company began the decade with just six stations but added ten more by 1997.

In 1997 Tribune Education spent $80 million for an 80.5 percent stake in Landoll, Inc., a leading publisher of children's books for the mass market, thus providing entrée into the consumer market.

1999

Gains from the strategic sales of some of the Internet investments helped Tribune Company earn a stunning $1.47 billion in profits in 1999 on total revenues of $2.92 billion.

Two more WB stations were acquired later in 1999: WEWB in Albany, New York, for $18.5 million and WBDC in Washington, D.C., for $125 million.

Also in 1999 the company created a subsidiary called Tribune Interactive, Inc. to manage the web sites of its newspapers, television stations, and publishing operations.

2001

In July 2001 Dennis FitzSimons was named president and chief operating officer of Tribune Company.

Revenues reached $5.25 billion in 2001.

2002

On the print side, Tribune Company spent $35 million in August 2002 to acquire Chicago magazine from Primedia, Inc.

2003

FitzSimons took over as president and CEO of Tribune Company in January 2003, becoming the first person to attain that position without first serving as publisher of the company's flagship newspaper, the Chicago Tribune.

The fourth television station acquired was KPLR-TV in St Louis, which was purchased for $200 million in March 2003.

The Chicago Cubs, meantime, won the National League Central Division in 2003 and then proceeded to win their first postseason series in 95 years.

At the end of 2003 Madigan retired from the company after a 28-year career, as FitzSimons took on the chairmanship as well.

2008

Blagojevich is convicted of several shakedown attempts, including allegations that he brazenly tried to sell President Barack Obama’s old United States Senate seat in 2008.

2009

It holds onto the team until 2009, when it is bought by the Ricketts family.

2010

Constable James Quinn becomes the first Chicago police officer to be killed in the line of duty, but this recognition would not be honored until March 2, 2010.

He was less successful when he joined Time Inc. in 2010 as its first chief executive from outside the company.

2013

These businesses drive most of Tribune Publishing’s overall revenue, which totaled $1.8 billion in 2013.

2014

He was sentenced to prison and released in 2014.

2015

The Illinois Supreme Court approves a long-awaited pilot program allowing cameras in courtrooms at the Leighton Criminal Court Building beginning in January 2015.

2016

2, 2016 in Game 7 of the World Series at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

2020

Looters and protesters take the streets of Chicago after a rally and march to remember the May 25 killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, in the Loop May 30, 2020. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)

18, 2020, and Blagojevich is released from prison.

2021

He was released from prison in 2021.

17, 2021, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Coupons for support: Publix, Special Olympics join forces to benefit athletes Dec 30, 2021

Church crafters get creative to sell handmade holiday items Nov 15, 2021

Starbucks holiday-themed drinks and cups available starting Thursday Nov 3, 2021

2022

Van Dyke is released from prison in February 2022.

Wade decision, Supreme Court establishes women’s right to legal abortion. (The decision was overturned on June 24, 2022.)

Dining and going out in South Florida: What’s new in 2022? First look: Getting flocked at Throw Social, Delray Beach’s newest adult party venue Best places to get out (literally, outdoors) on New Year’s Eve in South Florida

Are more homes heading to the market in 2022? Survey suggests sellers are getting ready to list

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Founded
1991
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Headquarters
Northlake, IL
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Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Tribune Direct, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Tribune Direct. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Tribune Direct. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by Tribune Direct. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Tribune Direct and its employees or that of Zippia.

Tribune Direct may also be known as or be related to Tribune Direct, Tribune Direct Marketing and Tribune Direct Marketing, Llc.