Meredith Corporation

Meredith Corporation. It was a major American media conglomerate founded in 1902 by Edwin Thomas Meredith and headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. For over a century, the company built a portfolio focused on lifestyle content, becoming a leading publisher of magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens and People, while also operating a significant group of broadcast television stations. Its operations spanned print, digital, and broadcast media until its acquisition and dissolution by IAC and its subsidiary Dotdash in 2021.

History

The company's origins trace to 1902 when founder Edwin Thomas Meredith began publishing Successful Farming magazine. In 1922, he launched the iconic Better Homes and Gardens publication, which became a cornerstone of the business. Following Meredith's death, the company remained under family control for decades, expanding its magazine stable. A significant transformation began in the late 20th century with acquisitions like Ladies' Home Journal from Charter Media and the 2005 purchase of several titles from Gruner + Jahr, including Parents and Fitness. The most pivotal expansion occurred in 2017 with the landmark acquisition of Time Inc., which brought prestigious titles like People, Time, and Sports Illustrated under its umbrella, dramatically increasing its scale and market influence before its eventual sale.

Publications

The company's publication division was one of the largest in the United States, managing a vast portfolio of magazine brands. Its flagship title was the monthly Better Homes and Gardens, one of the best-selling magazines in the country. The 2017 acquisition of Time Inc. added major weeklies including the celebrity-focused People and the news magazine Time. Other notable titles in its stable included Allrecipes, Southern Living, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, InStyle, and Travel + Leisure. These publications covered a wide range of lifestyle interests from home and garden to food, parenting, and celebrity news, forming the core of its consumer media business.

Broadcasting

Its broadcasting division, Meredith Local Media, operated a substantial group of television stations across key markets in the United States. Many of these stations were affiliates of major broadcast networks such as CBS, NBC, and Fox. Notable stations included WGCL-TV in Atlanta, KPHO-TV in Phoenix, and KCTV in Kansas City. The division was known for its strong local news operations. In 2021, prior to the corporate acquisition, this entire broadcasting group was sold to Gray Television, a major station owner, for approximately $2.7 billion.

Digital media

The company aggressively developed digital platforms for its brands, creating websites, mobile apps, and Social media presences to extend its reach. Key digital properties included People.com, Allrecipes.com, and BHG.com, which attracted substantial monthly audiences. It also operated a brand licensing and e-commerce business, leveraging titles like Better Homes and Gardens for product lines sold at retailers like Walmart and Target. Following the acquisition by IAC, its digital assets, particularly the Dotdash portfolio, were integrated to create a larger digital content entity, while many of the print magazine brands were subsequently sold or shuttered.

Corporate affairs

The company was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE: MDP. Its final headquarters were located in Des Moines, Iowa, with major offices in New York City and Los Angeles. Key leadership in its final years included President and CEO Tom Harty. In late 2021, the company agreed to be acquired by Barry Diller's IAC and its publishing subsidiary Dotdash for approximately $2.7 billion. This deal led to the dissolution of the historic corporation; the digital assets were merged into Dotdash Meredith, while the broadcast stations and certain magazine titles were sold off to other entities like Gray Television and Maven, Inc..

Category:Mass media companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Des Moines, Iowa Category:Magazine publishing companies of the United States