Definition
The Los Angeles Times (often abbreviated as LA Times) is a daily newspaper headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is one of the largest metropolitan newspapers in the United States by circulation and is recognized for its comprehensive coverage of local, national, and international news.
Overview
Founded in 1881, the Los Angeles Times has grown from a modest weekly publication into a major media organization. It publishes a print edition six days a week (Monday through Saturday) and maintains a robust digital platform that includes a website, mobile applications, and multimedia content. The newspaper is owned by Tribune Publishing (now known as Tronc, Inc., following corporate restructuring) and operates from its historic building in downtown Los Angeles, with additional bureaus across the United States and abroad.
The paper has earned numerous journalistic awards, most notably multiple Pulitzer Prizes in categories such as investigative reporting, editorial writing, and photography. Its editorial stance is generally considered moderate to center-left, with a focus on issues pertinent to Southern California, the entertainment industry, and broader national and global affairs.
Etymology/Origin
The title combines the name of the city—Los Angeles, derived from the Spanish phrase “Los Ángeles” meaning “The Angels”—with the word “Times,” a common suffix for newspapers that connotes timeliness and periodic news delivery. The name therefore signals a newspaper serving the Los Angeles region.
Characteristics
- Publication Frequency: Six days a week in print; continuous updates online.
- Circulation: Historically among the top U.S. metropolitan newspapers; recent print circulation figures have fluctuated due to industry-wide declines in print media.
- Content Sections: Includes News, Business, Sports, Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Opinion, and a dedicated Los Angeles region section.
- Digital Presence: Offers a subscription-based website with paywalled articles, video journalism, podcasts, and interactive graphics.
- Awards: Recipient of over 40 Pulitzer Prizes since 1915, reflecting strong investigative and feature reporting.
- Ownership: Operated by Tribune Publishing, which has undergone multiple ownership changes, most recently being acquired by Alden Global Capital in 2021.
- Influence: Regarded as a primary source of information on West Coast politics, the U.S. entertainment industry, and Southern California public affairs.
Related Topics
- Newspapers in the United States
- Pulitzer Prize
- Tribune Publishing
- Media in Los Angeles
- Journalism
- Digital news subscription models