A daily news source that publishes in tabloid format and covers local, national, and international news. Founded in 1919, the New York Daily News was the first U.S. newspaper published in tabloid format and has had a prominent position among metropolitan newspapers for much of its history. It is currently owned by Tronc and operates out of 4 New York Plaza in lower Manhattan. The News is best known for its sensational front page headlines such as the infamous 1975 screamer, “Ford to City: Drop Dead.” The paper also gained prominence for its extensive sports coverage and for its New York–centric entertainment, celebrity, and lifestyle sections.
At its peak, the Daily News had a circulation of nearly one million, making it the largest newspaper in the United States at the time. However, the News lost its lead to the more upscale rival, the New York Post. In the 1980s, it fell on hard times and was put up for sale. British media mogul Robert Maxwell acquired the newspaper in March 1991, but he died in November that year and the Daily News filed for bankruptcy in December. Eventually, the newspaper was purchased by Mortimer B. Zuckerman and Fred Drasner.
The Daily News is known for its liberal bias and is often viewed as a counterpoint to the more conservative Post. It is frequently accused of promoting socialism and has been criticized for its coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict, especially in the 1990s. In recent years, it has shifted its political stance and is now more moderate to liberal than the Post.
The New York Daily News has a wide range of sections including city news, sports, classified ads, comics, and an opinion section. Its front-page stories include major national and international events, and local news such as police blotter and crime reports. The News is particularly noted for its photography.
In January 1997 Pete Hamill became editor-in-chief of the Daily News, replacing Martin Dunn, who left to return home to England. The News’ staff had become divided into factions under Dunn, and it was hoped that Hamill could bring them together to better compete with the Post for readers.
The News has been known for its controversial and sensational headlines, such as the infamous 1975 screamer, “Ford to City: Drop Dead.” In recent years it has also focused on investigative reporting, with its editorial team winning numerous awards. It maintains news bureaus in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. In 1948 the Daily News helped establish what would become WPIX-TV (Channel 11 in New York), which still occupies the News’ former headquarters at 220 East 42nd Street near Second Avenue, designed by John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood. The building was used as the model for the fictional Daily Planet in the first two Superman films. In addition, the News owns and operates the FM radio station WFAN-FM. Previously it owned WPIX-TV and WNBT-AM, which are now operated by CBS.