San Antonio Express-News: A History of Journalism in Texas
The story of the San Antonio Express-News is a reflection of the growth and evolution of San Antonio itself. From its humble beginnings as a weekly tabloid in the mid-19th century to its current status as a leading news organization, the publication has survived fierce rivalries, ownership shifts, and the digital transformation of the media landscape.
The Early Years and Rise of the Express
First published in 1865, the San Antonio Express began as a weekly tabloid-style newspaper. While the city hosted several other publications in various languages at the time, the Express eventually became the sole survivor as its competitors went out of business.
The publication evolved rapidly, transitioning to a daily format in December 1866 and expanding into a full newspaper by the early 1870s. Despite early leadership instability that threatened its existence, the Express Printing Company took control in 1875, stabilizing the business. By 1878, the Express had established itself as a daily morning newspaper.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Era of Fierce Competition: The Light and the News
The landscape of San Antonio media shifted in January 1881 with the launch of the Evening Light. Founded by A. W. Gifford and J. P. Newcomb—former investors in the Express—the Light operated as an afternoon paper. Though initially ignored by the Express, the Light grew in popularity through the turn of the 20th century.
The Evolution of the Light
In 1906, E. B. Chandler purchased the Daily Light, and by 1909, the company acquired the San Antonio Gazette, operating as the Light and Gazette until 1911. Under the leadership of Harrison L. Beach and Charles S. Diehl (a founder of the AP wire service), the paper introduced leased wire news services and the city's first full stock market reports. This era saw the Light adopt liberal-Democratic views and increase its daily circulation from 11,000 to 25,000 copies.
The Launch of the Evening News
In 1918, the Express Publishing Company responded to the competition by launching its own afternoon publication, the San Antonio Evening News. This created an internal rivalry between the workers of the Express and the News, with some employees jokingly referring to their office as the "News-Express building." By 1924, William Randolph Hearst acquired the Light, implementing Hearst policies that pushed its circulation to approximately 70,000 by 1945.
Diversification and Media Expansion
During the 1920s, Express Publishing expanded beyond print. In 1922, the company launched WOAI, one of the first radio stations in San Antonio. The company continued to diversify by acquiring two additional radio stations and a television station, which became KENS-TV (where the call letters stood for "K-Express News Station"). In the 1960s, Express Publishing was sold to the Harte-Hanks newspaper group.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Murdoch Era and the Final Merger
In 1973, Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch of News Corp purchased both the Express and the News from Harte-Hanks. Murdoch implemented a strategic split: the News was reformatted as a tabloid, while the Express maintained its conservative format. This forced the San Antonio Light to compete against two distinct styles of journalism while struggling with the rising costs of afternoon distribution.
By September 1984, the Express and the News merged to become the San Antonio Express-News. The new entity adopted a mainstream format and expanded its reach beyond Bexar County, eventually becoming the city's dominant newspaper. In 1992, as News Corp shifted focus toward movies and television, the Hearst Corporation—which still owned the Light—acquired the Express-News. Unable to find a buyer for the Light, Hearst closed it, and the paper published its final edition on January 28, 1993.
Modern Transitions
The 21st century brought new challenges and changes in infrastructure. In 2019, the Express-News sold its downtown headquarters. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced a period of remote work, the organization relocated in 2022 to the top two floors of the Light Building, named after its former tenant. Today, the newsroom operates under a hybrid work model.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1865 as a weekly tabloid.
- Major Merger: The Express and the News merged in September 1984.
- The Light's End: The San Antonio Light ceased publication on January 28, 1993.
- Media Expansion: Launched WOAI radio (1922) and KENS-TV.
- Key Owners: Express Printing Company, Harte-Hanks, News Corp (Rupert Murdoch), and Hearst Corporation.
| Year | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1865 | San Antonio Express founded | First surviving city newspaper |
| 1881 | Evening Light launched | Introduction of afternoon competition |
| 1918 | San Antonio Evening News launched | Express Publishing enters afternoon market |
| 1973 | Rupert Murdoch acquisition | Introduction of tabloid formatting for the News |
| 1984 | Express-News Merger | Consolidation into a single leading daily |
| 1993 | Closure of The Light | End of the city's major newspaper rivalry |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the San Antonio Express become a daily newspaper?
The Express transitioned from a weekly to a daily newspaper in December 1866.
What is the significance of KENS-TV in this history?
KENS-TV was a television station acquired by Express Publishing; the call letters were designed to stand for "K-Express News Station."
Who was Rupert Murdoch's role in the paper's history?
Rupert Murdoch of News Corp bought the Express and the News in 1973, reformatted the News as a tabloid, and eventually oversaw the merger of the two papers in 1984.
What happened to the San Antonio Light?
After years of competition and a failed search for a buyer, the San Antonio Light published its final edition on January 28, 1993, after the Hearst Corporation acquired the Express-News.
Where is the Express-News located now?
As of 2022, the paper is located on the top two floors of the Light Building in downtown San Antonio.