Boston Herald

Boston Herald. The *Boston Herald* is a major daily newspaper serving the Greater Boston area and published in a compact tabloid format. Founded in 1846, it is one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the United States and has historically been a significant voice in New England journalism. Throughout its long history, it has undergone numerous ownership changes, shifts in editorial focus, and format evolutions, establishing itself as a prominent, often conservative-leaning alternative to its larger broadsheet rival, The Boston Globe.

History

The newspaper's origins trace back to 1846 when a single afternoon edition was launched by a group of Boston printers. A pivotal moment in its early development was its 1912 purchase by William Randolph Hearst, who merged it with his existing publication, the *Boston American*, to form the *Boston Herald-American*. Under the Hearst Corporation, it became a flagship of the powerful Hearst newspaper chain, known for its sensationalist yellow journalism and massive circulation. In 1982, the paper was purchased by media mogul Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, which rebranded it and shifted its format to a tabloid. After a period under Murdoch's ownership, it was sold in 1994 to its current owner, Patrick J. Purcell, a former Murdoch executive, whose company, Herald Media, Inc., has operated it since. Key events in its modern history include the 2006 closure of its longtime headquarters in the Boston Herald Building on Harrison Avenue and a 2018 filing for Chapter 11 protection, after which it was acquired by Digital First Media.

Content and operations

The publication is organized into several key sections, including news, sports, business, and lifestyle coverage, with a particular noted strength in its sports department. It produces a daily print edition and maintains a digital presence through its website and associated apps, featuring both original reporting and content from wire services like the Associated Press. Its investigative unit has broken significant stories on local politics and corruption, while its columnists and critics provide commentary on issues ranging from State House affairs to Celtics games. The paper's operations have been consolidated in recent years, with printing outsourced to the Providence Journal's plant in Rhode Island.

Political stance and editorial positions

Historically, the newspaper has maintained a conservative editorial stance, often endorsing Republican candidates in elections and providing a right-of-center counterpoint to the more liberal perspectives of The Boston Globe. Its editorial board has consistently advocated for smaller government, lower taxes, and law-and-order policies, frequently criticizing figures like Elizabeth Warren and the leadership of the Massachusetts General Court. On the national stage, it endorsed Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. This ideological alignment is also reflected in its stable of opinion writers, such as longtime columnist Howie Carr, and its often-skeptical coverage of progressive initiatives emanating from Boston City Hall and the Massachusetts State House.

Circulation and readership

Once boasting a circulation exceeding 300,000 daily in the mid-20th century, its print readership has declined significantly in the digital era, in line with industry-wide trends affecting publications like the New York Post and Chicago Tribune. Recent audited figures place its daily print circulation in the tens of thousands, though it maintains a digital subscriber base and reaches a broader audience through its online platforms. Its primary demographic has traditionally been concentrated in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, with a reader profile that tends to be older and more conservative than the region's median. The shift to a digital-first strategy has been a central component of its business model under the ownership of Digital First Media and its parent, Alden Global Capital.

Notable people

Numerous prominent journalists, columnists, and public figures have been associated with the newspaper throughout its history. Legendary sportswriter and author George Kimball penned a famed column for its sports section, while investigative reporter Jules Crittenden won awards for his work. Political commentator and radio host Howie Carr has been a defining conservative voice on its opinion pages for decades. Other notable alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and editor Ken Hartnett, longtime sports columnist Tony Massarotti, and former editor-in-chief Joe Sciacca. The paper also served as an early career stop for celebrated novelist and journalist George V. Higgins.

Category:Newspapers published in Boston Category:1846 establishments in Massachusetts