Founded in 1919, the daily news was the first successful tabloid newspaper in the United States and once had the highest circulation of any newspaper in the country. The newspaper’s sensational coverage of crime, scandal, and violence, lurid photographs, and cartoons attracted readers in droves. Its coverage of the Teapot Dome Scandal and social intrigue such as Wallis Simpson’s romance with King Edward VIII led to the abdication of the throne. The newspaper also emphasized photography; it was an early user of the Associated Press wirephoto service and developed a staff of photographers.
In the mid-1970s, the News shifted its political stance from conservative populism to a moderately liberal position. The News has long been locked in a fierce circulation battle with its rival, the New York Post, but by the turn of the 21st century its circulation had fallen to about 200,000 daily, well below its peak.
Today, the newspaper is owned by Tronc, a media company based in Chicago, which purchased the newspaper from Mortimer Zuckerman for $1 in 2017. The paper still maintains its headquarters in the Daily News Building at 220 East 42nd Street (known as Manhattan West), an art deco landmark designed by architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood. The building was the model for the Daily Planet in the first two Superman films, and is a designated city and national landmark.
About the Author
