First Issue of New Albany Times Union Newspaper Debuts

ALBANY, NY--(Marketwire - Mar 19, 2013) - Hearst Corporation announced today that the first issue of the redesigned and enhanced Albany Times Union rolled off the newly installed Commander CL offset press this morning at the newspaper's production facility in Colonie, N.Y. Today's Times Union showcases a dramatically improved print quality, with enhanced photo and advertisement reproduction. Readers will also see content enhancements, such as an expanded full-color weather package, daily TV listings and colorful comics seven days a week.

"This is a major investment in the future of newspapers, which we believe will continue to serve the American public as far into the future as the eye can see," said Hearst Corporation CEO Frank A. Bennack, Jr. "To be sure, delivery on new digital platforms will be a part of that future, but so too will the high quality print versions many readers prefer. Just as we invest in apps, websites and new digital businesses, we must evolve our core print product in order to give readers and advertisers the highest quality experience across all platforms."

"At a time of great change in the media industry, when other newspapers are reducing production days or closing entirely, we're proud to be able to provide readers and advertisers with one of the best quality newspapers in the country," said Times Union Publisher and CEO George R. Hearst III. "With this new press and redesign, we're re-affirming the Times Union's commitment to the Capital Region, a legacy that stretches back to 1856."

A new stand-alone Perspective section will be published every day with featured local columnists and opinion pieces from the community. The paper's popular health section, Thrive, moves to Wednesdays -- making room for a new automotive section on Saturdays. Also new to the Saturday edition: the Solutions section, designed to help readers become savvier consumers, while also saving money. There will also be an expanded weekend business section, as well as enhanced education and health coverage.

"With sharper design and smart additions to our content, the new Times Union offers our readers a greatly improved product," said Rex Smith, vice president and editor of the Times Union.

The new press, which produces up to 160,000 full-color, high-resolution copies an hour, replaces a letterpress machine that had been in operation since the newspaper moved into its current headquarters in August 1970. The new press consumes less energy than its predecessor and its speed and efficiency allows the Times Union to become a commercial printer, taking on additional jobs both locally and outside of the region.

Over 480,000 adults in the Albany/Schenectady/Troy market read the print edition of the Times Union each month, making it the dominant local source for news and information.

Hearst purchased the Commander CL in December 2011 from Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), the oldest and second largest press manufacturer in the world. It is a 32-page collect-capable press, fitted with contemporary direct-to-plate technology, capable of printing up to 64 pages of full color in a single run. It is outfitted with two folders -- one a traditional, fixed-width folder and the other a variable width. They are each rated at 80,000 copies per hour, giving the press the capacity to produce double that number when in full production.

About the Times Union
The Times Union is the leading newspaper in New York's Capital Region, and timesunion.com is Upstate New York's most innovative news website. Together, they reach 533,000 adults each month in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy market. The newspaper is widely respected for its focus on local news and watchdog reporting, particularly on state government and politics. It has won numerous state and national awards for its work in print and online, and has repeatedly been named New York's "Newspaper of Distinction" by the state editors association. The Times Union also publishes several niche magazines and hosts major regional events, including the Great Northeast Home Show at the Times Union Center, which is the area's premier arena.

About Hearst Newspapers
Hearst Newspapers is the operating group responsible for Hearst Corporation's newspapers, local digital marketing services businesses and directories. With more than 4,700 employees across the nation, Hearst Newspapers publishes 15 dailies and 36 weeklies in cities including Houston, San Francisco, San Antonio and Albany. It also operates digital marketing services and directories businesses under the LocalEdge brand.

About Hearst Corporation
Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified media and information companies. Its major interests include ownership of 15 daily and 36 weekly newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union; hundreds of magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, ELLE and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations, which reach a combined 18 percent of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, HISTORY and ESPN; significant holdings in the automotive, electronic and medical/pharmaceutical industries; a 50 percent stake in the global ratings agency Fitch Group; Internet and marketing services businesses; television production; newspaper features distribution; and real estate. Follow us on Twitter @HearstCorp.