15 Most Valuable Newspaper Companies in the World

Published on June 22, 2023 at 10:07 am by Insider Monkey Staff in Lists, News

Every well-functioned democrat country needs a free and diverse range of news media for keeping people informed and bringing powerful actors to accountability. News media enhances levels of political knowledge, helps alleviate corruption, and makes elected officials represent their constituents more effectively.

The Newspaper industry has been one of the most important sources of information for keeping people’s knowledge afloat. Today, the newspaper’s environment is changing due to the technological revolution. The Digital media platform has come up with intense competition for the legacy media like broadcasters and especially newspapers. The companies such as News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS) The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) and Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP) have already invested substantial resources in digital media to meet the requirements of consumers.

Challenges for Newspaper Industry

The Newspaper industry has been hit hard due to consumer’s tendency towards digital news. In 2020, the total U.S. daily newspaper circulation estimated 24.3 million for weekdays and 25.8 million for Sunday that shows 6% down from the last year. The newspaper industry generated a total of $8.8 billion in revenues from the advertisement in 2020, a decline of 25% from 2019. However, the circulation revenue generated in 2020 was $11.1 billion compared to $11.0 billion in 2019. This was the first time that the circulation revenue increased than the advertising revenue.

Opportunities for Newspaper Industry

Many companies, including both newspapers and broadcasters, have heavily invested in digital media to make their audience reach online. According to the Pew Research Center, 86% of American adults use smartphones, computers, or tablets to get news online. Digital devices have become the most common way of accessing the news on the internet. Many companies such as Tribune Publishing Company (NASDAQ: TPCO), The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), and Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ: DJCO) are investing in digital platforms and convincing more young people to turn to digital media for their news.
Digital news has created a great opportunity for investors as digital advertising continues to grow in generating advertising revenue. According to eMarketer, the total digital ad spending will cost $455.30 billion this year. 55.2% of which will go to show advertising and 40.2% will go to search. The Digital news industry is foreseeing a bright future as more and more people are preferring to get news online through digital devices.

Pixabay/Public Domain

Our Methodology

We ranked the list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world according to their market cap, funding, and valuation. We conducted thorough research on the internet and various websites to find these notable newspaper companies in the world.

With this context and industry outlook in mind, let’s now discuss our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world.

15 Most Valuable Newspaper Companies in the World

15. McClatchy (Private)

Market Cap: $5.946 million (As of 24 August 2021)

McClatchy Company (MNI) comes at the bottom of our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. McClatchy is a U.S-based publishing company that has headquarter in Sacramento, California. The company publishes 30 daily newspapers and operates in fourteen states. The company has an average weekday circulation of 1.6 million and a Sunday circulation of 2.4 million. The company’s brands include Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer, Sacramento Bee, The Kanas City Star, The (Raleigh) News& Observer, and the Fort Worth Star-telegram.

14. DallasNews Corporation (NASDAQ: DALN)

Market Cap: $36.022 million (As of 24 August 2021)

DallasNews Corporation (NASDAQ: DALN) has the 14th position in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. The company was founded in 2008 with its headquarter in Dallas, Texas. DallasNews Corporation (NASDAQ: DALN), formerly known as A.H Below Corporation, owns The Dallas Morning News and formerly published The Denton Record-Chronicle, The Providence Journal, The Riverside Press-Enterprise, Quick, and The Business Press. The company has 743 employees and 16 investors.

The companies such as News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS), and The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) have substantially changed the trend of print news consumers by introducing new technology.

13. Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE)

Market Cap: $137.919 million (As of 24 August 2021)

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE) occupies the 13th position in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. Lee Enterprises, Inc is a U.S based publicly traded company founded in 1890 by Alfred Wilson Lee. The company has its headquarter in Davenport, Iowa. Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: LEE) provides local news and information with a major platform for advertisement. The company operates in 26 states serving 77 markets with 75 daily newspapers and 350 weekly and specialty publications. Lee Enterprises, Inc has 44 million unique visitors per month and 1.2 million newspaper subscribers. The company engages 75% of the adults with its digital and print products every week. The company also provides commercial printing services to its customers.
Many companies such as Tribune Publishing Company (NASDAQ: TPCO), The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), and Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ: DJCO) are investing in digital platforms and convincing more young people to turn to digital media for their news.

12. Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX: PNC-A.TO)

Market Cap: $186.55 million (As of 24 August 2021)

Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSE: PNC.A) occupies the 12th position in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. Postmedia Network Canada Corp. is a Canadian newspaper company that was founded in 2010. The company has its headquarter in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSE: PNC.A) operates 23 newspapers along with internet operations. The company is best known for being the owner of the National post and financial post. The company owns 120 plus brands and offers digital media services across Canada.

The companies such as News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS) The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) and Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP) have already invested substantial resources in digital media to meet the requirements of consumers.

11. D. B. Corp Limited (NSE: DBCORP.NS)

Market Cap: $191.295 million (As of 24 August 2021)

D. B. Corp Limited (NSE: DBCORP) lies on the 11th spot in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. D. B. Corp Limited (NSE: DBCORP) is India’s largest newspaper company. The company has 5 newspapers with 65 editions published in 4 languages. The company has 66.3 million readers across 12 states. D. B. Corp Limited publishes major newspapers like Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, Dainik Divya Marathi, and DB Post. The company owns 3 magazines: Aha! Zindagi, Bal Bhaskar, and Young Bhaskar.

10. Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ: DJCO)

Market Cap: $443.221 million (As of 24 August 2021)

Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ: DJCO) has the 10the position in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. Daily Journal Corporation is a U.S- based publicly traded company founded in 1986. The company has its headquarter in Los Angeles, California. Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ: DJCO) publishes 10 newspapers that cover California and Arizona. The company has two segments: Traditional business and Journal Technologies. The company’s main publications are the Los Angeles Daily Journal and the San Francisco Daily Journal. The company hosts 320 employees and 3 investors.
The companies such as News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS), and The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) provides print and digital services to their customers.

9. Tribune Publishing Company (NASDAQ: TPCO)

Market Cap: $636.45 million (As of 24 August 2021)

Tribune Publishing Company (NASDAQ: TPCO) comes in the 9th spot in our list of the15 most valuables newspapers companies in the world. Tribune Publishing Company is a U.S-based print and online media publishing company. The company was founded in 2014 with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. The company’s services include Chicago Tribune, the New York Daily News, The Baltimore Sun, and the Hartford Courant. Tribune Publishing Company (NASDAQ: TPCO) also publishes many local newspapers in its metropolitan regions. The company hosts 2865 employees and 18 investors.

8. Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI)

Market Cap: $817.195 million (As of 24 August 2021)

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) comes in the 12th position in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. Gannett Co., Inc. is the largest U.S. newspaper publisher in terms of total daily circulation. The company, founded in 1906 by Frank Gannett, has its headquarter in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) owns the national newspaper USA Today and many local media outlets. The company operates its media outlets in 46 U.S. states and 120 local media brands in the United Kingdom. The company’s leading digital marketing services include ReachLocal, UpCurve, and WordStream
The companies such as Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ: DJCO), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) have come up with new technologies to meet the requirement of the consumers.

7. Reach plc (LSE: RCH.L)

Market Cap: $1.671 billion (As of 24 August 2021)

Reach plc (LSE: RCH) comes in the 7th position in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. Reach plc (LSE: RCH) is a British media company which publishes newspapers, magazines. The company is the biggest national and regional news publisher in the U.K. Reach plc has 9 national and 110 plus regional brands with 80 plus online brands. The company reaches 47.9 million people in a month and has 6.7 million registered users.
The companies such as News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS) The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) and Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP) have already invested substantial resources in digital media to meet the requirements of consumers.

6. Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP)

Market Cap: $1.97 billion (As of 24 August 2021)

Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP) has the 6th spot on our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. The company was founded in 1902 by Edwin T. Meredith. The company is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The publicly traded company’s services include magazines, television stations, websites, and radio stations. Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP) operates in two segments: national media and local media. The national media publishes magazines like Every Day with Rachael, Better Homes and Gardens, Family Fun, and Parents. While the local media section owns 15 television stations across the U.S.
Many companies such as Tribune Publishing Company (NASDAQ: TPCO), The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), and Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ: DJCO) are investing in digital platforms and convincing more young people to turn to digital media for their news.

5. Daily Mail and General Trust Plc (LSE: DMGT.L)

Market Cap: $3.078 billion (As of 24 August 2021)

Daily Mail and General Trust Plc (LSE: DMGT) occupies the 5th spot in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. Daily Mail and General Trust Plc is a British media company that owns Daily Mail. The company was founded in 1922. Daily Mail and General Trust Plc operate in more than forty countries. The multinational company, listed on London Stock Exchange, has subsidiaries like RMS, DMG Information, DMG Events, DMG Ventures, and DMG Media. Daily Mail and General Trust Plc (LSE: DMGT) provides Daily Mail newspaper service across the U.K. It is the highest circulated newspaper in the United Kingdom. The company also publishes other newspapers around Europe and runs various websites.

Michael Courtney/Shutterstock.com

4. Quebecor, Inc. (TSX: QBR-B.TO)

Market Cap: $5.97 billion (As of 24 August 2021)

Quebecor, Inc. (TSE: QBR.B) has the 4th spot in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. Quebecor, Inc. is a Canadian communication holding company that was founded in 1965 by Pierre Peladeau. The company prints publish and distribute daily newspapers along with the operation of internet portals and specialized Web sites. The company owns the Le Journal de Montreal newspaper which is the highest-circulating French-language daily newspaper in North America. Quebecor, Inc. (TSE: QBR.B) also operates the Telecommunication segment which includes television distribution, internet access, business solution, cable, and mobile telephony, and over-the-top video services. The company has 9,787 employees and 17 investors.

Pixabay/Public Domain

3. The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT)

Market Cap: $8.411 billion (As of 24 August 2021)

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) occupies the 3rd position in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. The New York Times Company is a U.S-based publicly traded company that publishes The New York Times newspaper. The company, founded in 1851, has its headquarter in Manhattan, New York City. The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) owns 4,700 employees with 8 million total subscribers from more than 200 countries. The New York Times Company has its daily print circulation of more than 500,000 and of 1 million on Sundays. The company has 1 million paid digital subscribers which is the main source of growth for the company.

Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com

2. Hearst Corporation (Private)

Revenue: $11.5 billion (As of 2019)

Hearst Corporation occupies 2nd place in our list of the 15 most valuable newspapers companies in the world. Hearst Corporation is an American multinational mass media group that resides in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The company, founded by William Randolph Hearst, owns a highly diversified portfolio of media interest. Hearst Corporation publishes 15 daily (such as the San Francisco Chronicle and the Houston Chronicle) and about 60 weekly newspapers. The company also owns more than 300 magazines around the world which include Cosmopolitan, Esquire, and Oprah Magazine.

1. News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS)

Market Cap: $13.13 billion (As of 24 August 2021)

News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS) lies on the top place in our list of the 15 most valuable newspaper companies in the world. News Corporation is a U.S-based media and publishing company. The company was formed in 2013 after splitting from the original News Corporation which was founded by Rupert Murdoch in 1980. The company is situated in New York City and has its footprints in the U.S, the U.K, and Australia. News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS) owns The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post in the U.S. and The Times and the Sun in the UK. The company hosts 24,000 employees and 113 investors.