Winnipeg Sun: A History of Manitoba's Tabloid Daily
The landscape of journalism in Winnipeg underwent a seismic shift in 1980. For 90 years, the city had a diverse daily press, but the closure of the Winnipeg Tribune on August 27, 1980, by Southam Newspapers left the Winnipeg Free Press as the sole daily voice in the city. This vacuum created a significant demand for a new perspective in local news, setting the stage for the birth of a new publication.
While other local publishers of weeklies like The Downtowner and The Suburban considered moving into the daily market, it was a different group of entrepreneurs who acted first. In October 1980, the Winnipeg Sun was officially announced, launching its first edition on November 5, 1980.
Founding and Early Growth
The Winnipeg Sun was established by founders Al Davies, Frank Goldberg, William (Bill) A. Everitt, and Tom Denton, with Denton serving as the first publisher. The paper began with a modest schedule, publishing only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. By December 19, 1980, the publication expanded to include afternoon home delivery, with carriers collecting a subscription fee of $1.50 every two weeks.
The publication's growth was rapid. By April 27, 1981, it added Tuesday and Thursday editions. A notable exception to its early schedule occurred on March 31, 1981, when the paper printed a special Tuesday edition to report on the assassination attempt of U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Operational shifts continued as the paper moved to a morning home-delivery schedule on August 4, 1981, aiming for delivery by 6:30 a.m. On March 10, 1982, the Sun reduced its physical dimensions to align with the standard tabloid format—a smaller, more compact page size common among high-energy daily papers.
Expansion and Ownership Transitions
The Sun continued to scale its operations, adding a Sunday edition on September 12, 1982, which featured a record 120 pages. By 1992, the newspaper had transitioned to a full seven-day publication cycle.
Initially based at 290 Garry Street in downtown Winnipeg—near the former site of the Winnipeg Tribune—the paper moved to the suburban Inkster Industrial Park in 1983. This move toward the suburbs preceded a similar relocation by the Winnipeg Free Press years later.
Financial challenges emerged early on due to a lack of advertisers and the expense of not owning its own printing press. Despite these hurdles, circulation grew to 34,000 daily, attracting investment from Quebecor in February 1983. However, the financial strain led to the closure of the Winnipeg magazine by June 1984.
In 1999, the paper underwent a significant rebranding. After Quebecor acquired the Sun Media chain on January 5, the Winnipeg Sun was relaunched on May 10 to mirror the visual identity of its sister publications in Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa.
Modern Era and Recent Changes
In recent years, the publication has adapted to changing media consumption habits. On June 22, 2020, the Sun discontinued its print edition for Mondays.
A major ownership change occurred on May 27, 2024, when Postmedia announced the sale of the Winnipeg Sun, along with the Portage la Prairie Graphic Leader, the Kenora Miner and News, and Postmedia's Winnipeg printing operations. The buyer was Kevin Klein, a conservative politician, Cabinet Minister, and former publisher of the Sun. Following the acquisition, Klein became a regular opinion writer for the paper, a move that drew skepticism from his former political opponents regarding his impartiality.
Key Facts
- Founded: November 5, 1980.
- Founders: Al Davies, Frank Goldberg, William A. Everitt, and Tom Denton.
- Market Position: One of the few cities in English Canada (outside Toronto) with two separately owned competing metropolitan dailies.
- Format: Transitioned to a standard tabloid size in March 1982.
- Recent Ownership: Acquired by Kevin Klein from Postmedia in May 2024.
Publication Summary
| Date | Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 1980 | Launch | First published (Mon, Wed, Fri) |
| Aug 4, 1981 | Delivery Shift | Moved to morning home delivery |
| Sept 12, 1982 | Sunday Edition | Launched with 120 pages |
| 1992 | Full Cycle | Moved to seven-day publication |
| May 10, 1999 | Relaunch | Aligned appearance with Sun Media chain |
| June 22, 2020 | Print Reduction | Discontinued Monday print edition |
Entertainment and Comics
Beyond news, the Winnipeg Sun has maintained a dedicated comics page. Early featured strips included Ziggy, Frank and Ernest, Dallas, Ben Swift, John Darling, Graves, Inc., Barbara Cartland's Romances, Heathcliff, The Neighborhood, and Winthrop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Winnipeg Sun started?
The paper was launched in response to the demand for a new journalistic voice in Winnipeg after the closure of the Winnipeg Tribune in August 1980 left the city with only one daily newspaper.
Who currently owns the Winnipeg Sun?
As of May 27, 2024, the newspaper is owned by Kevin Klein, a former publisher and conservative politician, who purchased it from Postmedia.
When did the paper move to a daily seven-day schedule?
The Winnipeg Sun moved to a full seven-day publication cycle in 1992.
What is the significance of the paper's size change in 1982?
On March 10, 1982, the paper reduced its size to more closely resemble other tabloid-style newspapers, which are typically smaller and more compact than broadsheets.
Which other publications were sold alongside the Winnipeg Sun in 2024?
The sale to Kevin Klein also included the Portage la Prairie Graphic Leader, the Kenora Miner and News, and Postmedia's printing operations in Winnipeg.