The Scranton Times-Tribune: A History of Journalism in Northeastern Pennsylvania
The landscape of local news in Northeastern Pennsylvania has been shaped by decades of competition, consolidation, and family stewardship. At the center of this evolution is the Scranton Times-Tribune, a publication born from the merger of two historic rivals to meet the changing demands of the modern media market.
Key Facts
- Founded: The Scranton Times was established in 1870.
- Major Merger: The Scranton Times and Scranton Tribune merged on July 27, 2005.
- Family Legacy: The Lynett family owned the publication for 128 years.
- Current Owner: MediaNews Group (acquired in August 2023).
- Digital Shift: Print editions for Mondays were replaced by digital versions in April 2023.
The Rise of The Scranton Times
The Scranton Times began its journey in 1870, though its early years were marked by instability under six different owners. This changed in 1895 when E. J. Lynett purchased the paper. Under Lynett's leadership, the publication experienced rapid growth, becoming the dominant newspaper in northeastern Pennsylvania and the third-largest in the state, trailing only the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Pittsburgh Press.
Lynett's influence extended beyond print; in January 1923, he founded WQAN, one of the city's first radio stations. This station continues to operate today as WEJL, still owned by the Lynett family.
Following E. J. Lynett's death in 1943, the paper remained a family enterprise. His children—William R., Edward J., and Elizabeth R. Lynett—took the helm. After Edward J. Lynett's passing in 1966, his four children assumed control and expanded the publication's reach by launching The Sunday Times, moving the paper to a full-week schedule.
The Complex Evolution of the Scranton Tribune
While the Times grew, a parallel history was unfolding with its primary competitor. The Scranton Tribune was founded in 1891. Its path was winding: it merged with the city's first newspaper, The Morning Republican, in 1910, becoming the Scranton Republican. By 1936, it reverted to the name Scranton Tribune.
In 1938, Richard Little—owner of the Sunday paper The Scrantonian (founded 1897)—and Morris L. Goodman purchased the Tribune. This partnership lasted nearly 50 years until 1986. In 1987, the Media One Corporation acquired the paper and merged it with The Scrantonian to create a seven-day morning publication called The Scrantonian-Tribune. However, the venture failed, and Media One shuttered the paper in 1990.
The Lynett family stepped in to purchase the Scrantonian-Tribune nameplate and other assets, relaunching it as the Scranton Tribune. For years, it operated alongside the Times, sharing much of the same content but with timely editing to distinguish the morning and afternoon editions.
The Path to Consolidation and New Ownership
By 2004, the economic reality of the industry made it clear that Scranton could no longer sustain two separate daily papers. The Lynetts announced a merger, and on July 27, 2005, the Scranton Times-Tribune was officially launched as a single morning paper.
Despite the new branding, the legal entity remained "The Scranton Times L.P." for several years, serving as the licensee for WEJL radio. The 21st century brought further transitions, including the decision in April 2023 to eliminate the Monday print edition in favor of a digital-only format.
The most significant shift occurred in August 2023, when Times-Shamrock Communications sold the Times-Tribune and three other dailies to MediaNews Group. This sale ended 128 years of Lynett family ownership. The transition was contentious, as the Lynett family opposed the sale to MediaNews Group, citing concerns that the owner's hedge fund, Alden Capital, did not share their principles regarding the stewardship of newspapers.
Publication History Summary
| Year | Event | Resulting Entity |
|---|---|---|
| 1870 | Foundation of The Times | The Scranton Times |
| 1891 | Foundation of The Tribune | Scranton Tribune |
| 1910 | Tribune merges with Morning Republican | Scranton Republican |
| 1987 | Tribune and Scrantonian merge | The Scrantonian-Tribune |
| 2005 | Times and Tribune merge | The Scranton Times-Tribune |
| 2023 | Sale to MediaNews Group | The Scranton Times-Tribune |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Scranton Times and Scranton Tribune merge?
The two newspapers merged to become the Scranton Times-Tribune on July 27, 2005.
Who owned the newspaper for the majority of its history?
The Lynett family owned and operated the publication for 128 years, starting with E. J. Lynett's purchase in 1895.
What happened to the Monday print edition?
In April 2023, the newspaper ceased printing a physical edition on Mondays, replacing it with a digital version.
Who is the current owner of the Scranton Times-Tribune?
The newspaper is currently owned by MediaNews Group, which acquired it in August 2023 from Times-Shamrock Communications.
What is the connection between the newspaper and WEJL radio?
E. J. Lynett founded one of Scranton's first radio stations, WQAN, in 1923, which later became WEJL. The Lynett family continues to own the station.