The Hill: A History of Growth and Influence in Political Journalism
Founded as a specialized newspaper, The Hill has evolved from a niche publication for insiders into one of the most influential political news brands in the United States. Its name serves as a synecdoche—a figure of speech where a part represents the whole—using "Capitol Hill" to refer to the United States Congress and the broader federal government.
Founding and Early Leadership
The publication was established in 1994 by New York businessman and power broker Jerry Finkelstein and Martin Tolchin, a former correspondent for The New York Times. During its early years, New York Representative Gary L. Ackerman served as a major shareholder. The organization underwent a leadership transition in 2012 when James A. Finkelstein assumed control.
The Shift to Digital Dominance
While it began as a print-focused entity, The Hill experienced an aggressive digital expansion starting around 2016. During this period, the publication's website traffic surged by 126% in a single year, surpassing the traffic of competitor Politico. Following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the site saw a massive 780% increase in online political readership, earning it the reputation as the fastest-growing political news site at the time.
By 2017, the publication's reach extended significantly into social media. Twitter listed it as one of the top 10 most-tweeted news sources, and a study by Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society identified it as the second most-shared source among Donald Trump supporters on Twitter during the election, trailing only Breitbart News.
Readership and Market Position
The Hill's growth continued through the late 2010s. By 2018, it was the second most-viewed American political news website and the third-most tweeted U.S. news source. In 2019 and 2020, it consistently ranked second among all American news sites for political readership, trailing only CNN and remaining ahead of major competitors including Politico, Fox News, NBCNews.com, and MSNBC.
Multimedia Expansion
The publication also leveraged video content to grow its audience. By 2020, its YouTube channel had reached 1.1 million subscribers, surpassing Axios, Bloomberg Politics, and Politico. In September 2020 alone, the channel received over 340 million video views, averaging more than 10 million views per week in October of that year.
Corporate Evolution and Controversies
The Hill's trajectory has not been without internal and external challenges. In 2017, the hiring of John Solomon as executive vice president of digital video led to friction when he inserted advertiser material into journalistic copy. Solomon later faced criticism for promoting the Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory in March 2018. His role was shifted to opinion contributor in May 2018, and he eventually left the organization in September 2019.
Editorial independence also became a point of contention. In January 2019, CNN reported claims from staff that James Finkelstein interfered with coverage to ensure the publication was not overly critical of President Trump.
More recently, the publication has faced accusations of censorship. In 2022, Katie Halper was fired following a segment regarding Rashida Tlaib's description of Israel as an "apartheid government." In 2024, Briahna Joy Gray was terminated after an interview involving the sister of an Israeli hostage abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
Acquisition and Recent Growth
A major turning point occurred in 2021 when the Nexstar Media Group acquired The Hill for $130 million. Since then, the publication has continued to expand its digital footprint. Between September 2024 and September 2025, overall social media traffic increased by 20%, driven by more frequent video postings and heightened political engagement.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1994 by Jerry Finkelstein and Martin Tolchin.
- Acquisition: Purchased by Nexstar Media Group in 2021 for $130 million.
- Distribution: Free print copies are provided in boxes around the U.S. Capitol and mailed to all congressional offices.
- Print Reach: Claimed more than 22,000 print readers as of 2020.
- Digital Standing: Ranked as the second most-viewed U.S. political news site in 2019 and 2020.
| Metric | Period/Year | Detail/Value |
|---|---|---|
| Website Traffic Increase | 2016 | 126% increase |
| Post-2016 Election Growth | 2016-2017 | 780% increase in readership |
| YouTube Subscribers | 2020 | 1.1 million |
| YouTube Monthly Views | Sept 2020 | 340 million+ |
| Social Media Traffic Growth | 2024-2025 | 20% increase |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded The Hill?
The Hill was founded in 1994 by New York businessman Jerry Finkelstein and former New York Times correspondent Martin Tolchin, with Gary L. Ackerman as a major shareholder.
Who currently owns The Hill?
The Hill was acquired by the Nexstar Media Group in 2021 for a purchase price of $130 million.
How is The Hill distributed in print?
The newspaper is distributed for free via vending boxes located around the U.S. Capitol building and is mailed directly to all congressional offices.
How does The Hill rank among political news sites?
In 2019 and 2020, The Hill was ranked as the second most-viewed American political news website, trailing only CNN and ranking ahead of Politico, Fox News, and MSNBC.
What is the significance of the name "The Hill"?
The name is a synecdoche for Capitol Hill, which represents the United States Congress and the federal government in general.