Founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson, Daily News is a tabloid newspaper that was the first U.S. daily to be printed in tabloid format. It achieved its peak circulation in 1947, reaching 2.4 million readers a day. At the time, it was also one of the largest newspapers in the world. In addition to its main news section, the paper features a sports section, classified ads, comics, and a wealth of entertainment and celebrity gossip.
The Daily News has been at the forefront of investigative journalism, exposing many cases of corruption and criminal activity in New York City, as well as uncovering numerous high-profile murders. It has won a number of Pulitzer Prizes, including in 1996 for E.R. Shipp’s work on welfare and race issues and in 1998 for Mike McAlary’s coverage of police brutality against Abner Louima. The newspaper also has a strong reputation for its op-ed page, and has been known to take on the government, politicians and powerful individuals when necessary.
In the 1920s, the paper found abundant subject matter, including political wrongdoing such as the Teapot Dome scandal and social intrigue such as the romance between Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII that led to his abdication. It was also an early user of the Associated Press wirephoto service and developed a large staff of photographers.
By the end of the decade, the Daily News had become the dominant force in the New York metropolitan area. In 1930, it moved from its Park Place offices to 220 East 42nd Street, an art deco building designed by Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells. The structure was later used as the model for the Daily Planet in the Superman series of movies.
The Daily News continued to thrive through the mid-20th century, and in 1947 it reached its peak circulation, becoming the nation’s largest newspaper. It was a major force in public affairs, covering the events of the Second World War, and attracting famous columnists such as Ed Sullivan.
During the 1970s, however, circulation began to decline. The Daily News suffered a particularly severe blow in 1978 when the newspaper was shut down for nearly three months by a multi-union strike. The Times suggested that the loss of readership was not entirely due to the strike but was also a result of price hikes and production problems at the newspaper. In 1995, the Daily News left its home of 65 years, the News Building, and relocated to a modern office on Fifth Avenue at 33rd Street (known as 5 Manhattan West). The old location is now home to the former News-affiliated TV station WPIX. The Daily News continues to publish today, under the ownership of Tronc, Inc., with a wide range of national and local news, New York City exclusives, and sports news. Its award-winning writers, columnists and opinion formers bring the news to life. It has a special focus on New York and its people, as well as a deep commitment to the first amendment and the rights of the underserved.