What Happened to Tribune-Review (newspaper)?
The Tribune-Review, a prominent Western Pennsylvania newspaper with roots dating back to 1811, has undergone significant transformations, evolving from a primarily print-based publication to a multi-platform news organization. After its Pittsburgh edition transitioned to an all-digital format in late 2016, the company, Trib Total Media, announced in early 2026 the re-introduction of a new Pittsburgh weekend print edition to fill a local news void.
Quick Answer
The Tribune-Review, owned by Trib Total Media, transitioned its Pittsburgh daily print edition to an all-digital format (TribLIVE.com) on December 1, 2016, while continuing to publish suburban print editions. However, in January 2026, in response to the impending closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Trib Total Media announced it would launch a new Pittsburgh Weekender print edition, available for sale and home delivery starting May 9, 2026, alongside its robust digital offerings.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Founded as Greensburg Gazette
The newspaper began its long history as the Greensburg Gazette.
Merged to form Greensburg Tribune-Review
The Greensburg Daily Tribune merged with the Greensburg Morning Review to form the Greensburg Tribune-Review.
Acquired by Richard Mellon Scaife
Richard Mellon Scaife purchased the Tribune-Review Publishing Company and the Greensburg-based Tribune-Review, becoming its publisher.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Launched
Following a strike that led to the demise of The Pittsburgh Press, Scaife launched the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, expanding coverage into Allegheny County and Pittsburgh.
Launched First Online News Resource, Tributaries
The Trib launched Western Pennsylvania's first online news resource, 'Tributaries,' marking its entry into digital media.
Tributaries Relaunched as PittsburghLIVE.com (later TribLIVE.com)
The online news resource was relaunched as PittsburghLIVE.com, which would later be renamed TribLIVE.com, becoming a major digital platform.
Trib Total Media Name Adopted
The news, advertising, circulation, and management teams of TRPC and Westminster Holdings, Inc. began using the name Trib Total Media to describe their combined newspaper and media properties.
Richard Mellon Scaife Dies
Richard Mellon Scaife, the long-time owner and publisher, passed away, leading to significant restructuring and downsizing for Trib Total Media in the following years.
Print Consolidation and Closures
Trib Total Media implemented strategic changes, closing The Daily News and The Valley Independent, selling other papers, and consolidating the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Tribune-Review, and Valley News Dispatch into one newspaper with distinct editions.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Goes All-Digital
The print edition of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ceased publication, transitioning to an all-digital format on TribLIVE.com, with 106 layoffs. Suburban print editions continued.
Announced Adjustments to Print Editions for 2026
Trib Total Media announced it would adjust its print editions starting January 1, 2026, including an enhanced Saturday edition, balancing print legacy with expanded digital presence.
Announced New Pittsburgh Weekend Print Edition
Trib Total Media announced plans to launch a new Pittsburgh edition of the Tribune-Review, a weekend print publication, to fill a news void created by the impending closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Pittsburgh Weekender Print Edition Launch
The new Pittsburgh edition of the Tribune-Review, a weekend print publication focused on Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, is scheduled to launch, available at retail locations, newsstands, and via home delivery.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Tribune-Review's journey reflects the broader shifts within the American newspaper industry, marked by consolidation, digital transformation, and a renewed focus on local journalism. Founded as the Greensburg Gazette in 1811, the paper eventually became the Greensburg Tribune-Review. Its trajectory significantly changed in 1970 when it was acquired by Richard Mellon Scaife, an heir to the Mellon fortune. Scaife, a staunch conservative, expanded the paper's reach, notably launching the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in December 1992 following a divisive strike that led to the demise of The Pittsburgh Press, creating a competitive landscape with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Under Scaife's ownership, the Tribune-Review Publishing Company grew, acquiring several regional newspapers and launching early online news resources like Tributaries in 1995, which later became TribLIVE.com. By 2005, the various media properties were consolidated under the Trib Total Media umbrella. However, the economic pressures facing print journalism intensified, and after Scaife's death in July 2014, Trib Total Media began a period of significant restructuring.
A major turning point occurred in January 2016 when Trib Total Media implemented strategic changes, consolidating several newspapers and ceasing the print publication of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on November 30, 2016, to focus on its digital platform, TribLIVE.com. While the Pittsburgh edition went all-digital, the Greensburg-based Westmoreland edition and the Tarentum-based Valley News Dispatch edition continued to publish in print.
As of 2026, TribLIVE.com remains one of Western Pennsylvania's leading online news resources, boasting 3.5 million unique monthly visitors and a digital reach of over 550,000 Allegheny County residents. In a significant development in January 2026, following the announcement of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's impending closure, Trib Total Media announced its commitment to ensuring Pittsburgh has a newspaper of record. The company revealed plans to launch a new Pittsburgh Weekender print edition of the Tribune-Review, focused on Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, starting May 9, 2026. This new print offering will be available at retail locations, newsstands, and via home delivery, alongside its comprehensive e-edition. This move signifies a strategic re-engagement with print in the Pittsburgh market, aiming to provide sustainable local journalism in a changing media landscape.
What If...?
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