Introduction to Alabama News Media
Alabama is a state in the south-eastern United States and is the 30th largest state by area. The state is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Mississippi to the west and Gulf of Mexico to the south.
Alabama has had an important place in the history of the United States. The state played a crucial role in the American Civil War and its capital Montgomery was the first capital of the confederacy. Apart from this, Alabama also played a pivotal role in the American Civil Rights movement of the 20th century.
It is interesting to note that the first press in present-day Alabama can be traced back to Wakefield 1807 where a crude pamphlet was published. The years following 1807 saw a rapid growth of press in Alabama. Within four years two new presses were established and fully functional. One was based out of St. Stephens while the other one was at Fort Stoddert.
The press at Fort Stoddert was owned by Miller & Hood and they published the first-ever newspaper in Alabama, which was named “The Mobile Centinel”. This newspaper was first published on May 23rd, 1811 but it was short-lived. The same was the case with the second newspaper named The Madison Gazette, which was published at Huntsville in 1812.
In the subsequent years’ new newspapers such as the Mobile Gazette (1813), St. Stephens Halcyon (1814), Huntsville Alabama Republican (1816), The Tuscaloosa Republic (1819), and the Alabama Intelligencer (1819), entered circulation. But they too were short-lived like because the market conditions weren’t feasible to support the new venture. Another major setback faced by these newspapers were lack of journalists owing to lower wages.
The lack of journalists meant that the newspapers had trouble sourcing their news. Owing to which most of the news they published were limited to their immediate vicinity. This eventually led to a decline in readership and closing of the outlets.
The Huntsville Advocate which was founded in the year 1815 was the first successful newspaper in Alabama. Huntsville Advocate remained in circulation for 78 years until it was withdrawn from circulation in the year 1893. The Mobile Gazette which was founded in 1816 is the oldest newspaper in Alabama that is still in circulation. Today the newspaper is known as the Mobile Register.
Newspapers in Alabama
With a population of 4,779,736, Alabama is a major market for newspapers & magazines in the US. As of 2020, there are about 142 newspapers & magazines that are in circulation in Alabama. This is apart from the online media outlets.
In this article, we will have a look at some of the prominent newspapers & news websites in Alabama.
The Birmingham News
The Birmingham News is a daily newspaper that is printed and circulated out of Birmingham city, Alabama. The history of the newspaper dates back to 1888, when it was first launched by Rufus N. Rhodes as an evening newspaper named The Evening News. Rufus N. Rhodes who was working as an editor at the Daily Herald newspaper had disagreements with the publishers owing to which he quit the Daily Herald and started The Birmingham News.
The newspaper was founded in an era where America was recovering from the civil war and was undergoing reconstruction. Birmingham news played a commendable role to boosterish the Birmingham city along with industrialists and academicians.
When first launched in 1888, The Birmingham News had a circulation of only 628 copies. But over the years, the newspaper started gaining popularity and became the largest daily in Alabama towards the end of the 19th century. As of 2020, The Birmingham News has a circulation of 145,655 copies.
As said earlier, the newspaper was founded with the name The Evening News. In 1985 the newspaper was renamed to The Birmingham News.
The newspaper covers all facets of the latest news concerning Birmingham city and Alabama. It also covers local news, sports news, updates on the economy, US Breaking news, weather updates, and so on. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, The Birmingham News also has an online website which serves as an online news portal.
The website covers all facets of news that are covered in the printed edition. Other than these, there are dedicated sections on the website for top stories, news, weather report, sports & life and culture. Though the newspaper is primarily focused on covering local news and updates from Birmingham city, readers can also choose to access the various local editions from the website.
The Birmingham News Android App
The Huntsville Times
The Huntsville Times is a printed newspaper that is circulated thrice a week in the Huntsville region, Alabama. Apart from Huntsville, the newspaper is also circulated in the Tennessee Valley region and primarily caters to readers in Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Limestone, Jackson and Lincoln counties.
It is important to note that The Huntsville Times was a daily newspaper until 2012 since it was first launched in 1910. Owing to the sharp decline in advertising revenue, Advance Publications (the holding company) decided to reduce the circulation of Huntsville Times to thrice a week.
Huntsville is the home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the Army’s Redstone Arsenal. Owing to which The Huntsville Times has dedicated sections on the newspaper for science, aerospace and military matters.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, Huntsville Times also has an online website which acts as an online news portal. Similar to the printed edition the online newspaper covers news, entertainment, sports, weather and more.
The Huntsville Times Android App
Press Register
Press Register is the oldest newspaper in Alabama catering to the readers in the counties of Mobile and Baldwin. The newspaper was founded in the year 1983 as “The mobile Gazette”. It was launched as a daily newspaper and remained so until 2012. In 2012 owing to the declining revenue from advertisements, the Advance Publications (the holding company) decided to restrict the printing of the newspaper to three days a week. The newspaper is mainly focussed on Connecting Mobile and coastal Alabama by catering to the people of Mobile the latest news, sports news, weather updates, and many more.
Apart from the printed edition, Press Register also owns an online news portal. Similar to the printed edition, the online news portal covers all facets of local news & updates, sports news, weather updates, and so on. There are dedicated sections on the website for top stories, weather updates, sports, life & culture, business news, jobs classifieds, automobile, real estate, and many more. Other than these, readers can also choose to read the other local editions of the newspaper from the website.
WHNT News 19
WHNT News 19 is a TV channel owned by the Nexstar Media Group that caters to viewers in North Alabama’s Tennessee Valley. The history of WHNT TV station dates back to 28th November 1963 when it was first launched. Over the years, WHNT News 19 has grown to become a prominent TV news channel in Alabama.
It is important to note that WHNT News 19 holds many records of being the first news channel. For instance, WHNT News 19 was the first TV news channel to broadcast its news programs in digital 16:9 widescreens. They are also the first TV station in Huntsville to air their news segments in full HD.
Apart from the 24*7 TV news channel, they also own an online news portal catering to their reader base in Alabama. There are dedicated sections on the website for regional news, national news, international news, weather updates, sports news, top stories, and so on. Unlike the printed edition of the newspaper, the entire contents on the website including audio and video are made available to the readers for free.
WHNT News 19 also has a strong presence on various social media platforms. Readers can choose to follow these pages for regular updates.
WAFF 48
WAFF 48 is a TV news station owned by the Grey Television catering to North Alabama’s Tennessee Valley. It is in fact, the oldest TV stations of North Alabama and its history dates back to 4th July 1954 when it first began broadcasting. Though WAFF 48 is primarily a TV news channel, they also own an online news portal which covers all facets of regional, national & international news.
There are dedicated sections on the online news portal for weather updates, national news, regional news, sports news, and so on. Other than these, there are separate sections on the website for regional news concerning the Huntsville – Madison region and Limestone – Morgan region.
Readers can also choose to access their live TV from the website or watch the various programs that are aired on WAFF 48 TV channel.
Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery Advertiser is a daily newspaper that is printed and circulated across Alabama. The newspaper was founded in the year 1829 under the name The Planter’s Gazette. The newspaper was renamed to Montgomery Advertiser in the year 1833. As per the latest survey, Montgomery Advertiser has a circulation of 8,735 copies a day
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, Montgomery Advertiser also owns an online news portal. Similar to the printed edition, the website mainly focuses on reporting the regional news concerning Montgomery, sports news, business news and national news.
Montgomery Advertiser Android App
Birmingham Business Journal
Birmingham Business Journal is a weekly business newspaper that is printed and published out of Birmingham, Alabama. The newspaper is owned by the American City Business Journals and was founded in 1983. Being a business weekly newspaper, Birmingham Business Journal covers all facets of news and updates concerning the various business sectors in the state.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, Birmingham Business Journal also owns an online website. The website has dedicated sections for news and updates on various industries such as banking & finance, media & marketing, energy, education, and so on. Other than these there is a section for science and technology, automobiles, updates on various events, and many more.
Birmingham Business Journal Online
Birmingham Business Journal ePaper
Birmingham Business Journal Android App
Birmingham Business Journal iOS App
WKRG
WKRG is a TV channel based out of Alabama that covers Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. The TV channel is currently owned by the Nexstar Media Group and was first launched on September 5, 1955. As of 2020, WKRG TV broadcasts local news for 4 hours a day on weekdays and 1 hour per day on weekends.
Apart from the TV channel, WKRG also has an online portal. The online portal has dedicated section for regional news concerning Baldwin County, Mobile County & North West Florida. Other than these sections for regional news, the website has sections for national & international news, updates on economy and politics, weather updates, sports news, special news, and so on.
Ledger-Enquirer
Ledger-Enquirer is a daily newspaper that primarily caters to the Chattahoochee Valley and East Alabama. The newspaper was first founded in the year 1828 as ‘The Enquirer’. Over the years, it merged with another leading newspaper in Alabama ‘The ledger’ to form the Ledger-Enquirer.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, Ledger-Enquirer also owns an online news portal. The website covers all facets of regional news, important national & international news, and so on.
There are dedicated sections on the website for various news including regional, database, criminal, educational and business. The website also has a separate section for news and updates on sports, political news, obituaries, and so on.
Dothan Eagle
Dothan Eagle is a daily newspaper circulated in Dothan city and its surrounding areas in Alabama. The newspaper was founded in the year 1903 and has over the years grown to become a leading newspaper in Alabama. As per the latest readership survey, Dothan Eagle has a circulation of 19,000 copies.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, Dothan Eagle also owns an online news portal. Similar to its printed edition, the online news portal covers all facets of regional and national news. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, opinions, obituaries, sports news, lifestyle, and many more. Dothan Eagle also has a strong presence on various social media platforms. Readers can choose to follow these pages for regular updates.
Cherokee County Herald (Centre)
Cherokee County Herald (Centre) is a weekly newspaper serving the Cherokee county in Alabama. The newspaper was founded in the year 1938 and it first hit the newsstands on March 23rd, the same year.
Enterprise Ledger
Enterprise Ledger is a daily newspaper that is published on weekdays in Enterprise City, Alabama. The newspaper mainly focuses on reporting the news and updates concerning the business & economic activities of Enterprise city, Alabama. Enterprise Ledger also has an online website that is updated regularly with the latest news.
Opelika Auburn News
Opelika Auburn News is a daily newspaper that was founded in the year 1904. Being a daily newspaper Opelika Auburn News caters to Opelika, Auburn, and the surrounding areas in Alabama. The newspaper covers all facets of national & regional news, sports news, updates on the economy, and so on.
Opelika Auburn News Android App
The Anniston Star
The Anniston Star is a daily newspaper in Alabama which was first published in 1863. The newspaper mainly caters to readers in Anniston and six other surrounding counties in Alabama. Being a daily newspaper Anniston Star covers all facets of regional news, national news, updates on sports and economy, and so on.
The Daily Home
The Daily Home is a daily newspaper in Alabama which was founded in the year 1867. When first launched it was known as the Our Mountain Home until 1909 when it was made a daily newspaper. Apart from being one of the oldest newspapers in the region, the daily home is also one of the oldest newspapers in Alabama.
Heflin Cleburne News
Heflin Cleburne News is a non-daily newspaper serving Cleburne County, Alabama. The newspaper was founded in the year 1906. Heflin Cleburne News covers all facets of regional news, national news, updates on sports and economy, and so on. Apart from the printed edition, they also own an online news portal.
Jacksonville News
Jacksonville News is an online newspaper in Alabama serving the Jacksonville, piedmont and North Calhoun county. It mainly focuses on reporting the local news concerning the aforementioned regions in Alabama. There are dedicated sections on the website for local news, sports, communities, classifieds, weather, and many more.
The Auburn Plainsman
The Auburn Plainsman is a newspaper run by the students of the Auburn University in, Alabama. The newspaper is published on Thursdays and is distributed for free among the students and in the cities surrounding the university. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also have an online news portal.
Crimson White
Crimson White is a biweekly newspaper, published by the students of the University of Alabama. The newspaper was first founded in 1894. As of 2020, the newspaper is circulated across The USA and the Killen community. Apart from the printed edition, they also own an online news portal. Crimson White also has an active presence on various social media platforms.
Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope is the official student newspaper run by the students of the University of Alabama.The newspaper was founded in the year 1967 and has since been serving the Birmingham community with all facets of news concerning the university. The printed edition is published on Tuesdays whereas, the online edition is updated regularly.
The Times-Record
The Times-Record is a weekly newspaper in Alabama serving the Fayette city. The newspaper mainly focuses on reporting the regional news concerning the Fayette city and important news concerning the state. Apart from the printed edition, the Fayette city also owns an online news portal.
The Tuscaloosa News
The Tuscaloosa News is a daily newspaper in Alabama serving the Tuscaloosa county and the areas in west Alabama. The newspaper was first found in 1818 and has over the years grown to become a leading daily in the region. As per the latest readership survey, The Tuscaloosa News has a circulation of about 32,700 copies in a day.
The Tuscaloosa News Android App
The Cullman Times
The Cullman Times is a newspaper that is printed and published in Cullman, Alabama. When first launched it was a daily newspaper but owing to dropping circulation its circulation was reduced to four days a week. Apart from the printed edition, The Cullman Times also owns an online website.
The Tuscaloosa News Android App
The Times Daily
The Times Daily is a daily newspaper in Alabama serving the Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, and Lawrence counties apart from southern Tennessee and northeast Mississippi. The newspaper was founded in the year 1890 and has over the years grown to be a leading a newspaper in Alabama. As per the latest readership survey, the newspaper has a circulation of 28,900 copies.
Gadsden Times
The Gadsden Times is a daily newspaper that is published in Alabama. The newspaper mainly serves Gadsden and the surrounding regions in Alabama. As per the latest readership survey, Gadsden times has a circulation of 19,400 copies daily and 20,600 on Sundays.
Daily Mountain Eagle
Daily Mountain Eagle is a daily newspaper in Alabama servicing Jasper. The newspaper which was founded in 1872 is one among the two prominent local dailies. Daily Mountain Eagle was initially launched as a weekly and remained to be so until 1960. In 1960 Daily Mountain Eagle was converted into a daily newspaper.
Gulf Coast Media
Gulf Coast Media is a prominent media house in Alabama that owns 4 major newspapers The Baldwin times, The Onlooker, The Courier, The Islander. Apart from these newspapers, Gulf Coast Media also owns an online news portal.
The Alabama Baptist
The Alabama Baptist is a weekly newspaper in Alabama. The newspaper which was founded on February 4th of 1843, is focussed on reporting news and updates on the activities of the church that are happening in regional, state and national level.
Shelby County Reporter
Shelby County Reporter is a leading community newspaper in Alabama that is published once a week. The newspaper is mainly published across the Shelby County and the surrounding. cities and towns. Apart from the printed edition, the newspaper also has an online news portal that is updated regularly. They also have a strong presence on various social media platforms.
Alexander City Outlook
Alexander City Outlook is a bi-weekly newspaper that is published in the Alexander City of Alabama. The newspaper was founded in 1892 and has since remained a bi-weekly newspaper. Apart from the bi-weekly printed edition of the newspaper, they also have an online news portal that is regularly updated.
Auburn Plainsman
Auburn Plainsman is a newspaper run by the students of Auburn University, Alabama. It is a weekly newspaper that is published on Thursdays and distributed for free. The newspaper is circulated in the university campus and surrounding cities of Auburn and Opelika. Apart from the printed edition they also have an online news portal.
Times-Journal
Times-Journal is a newspaper in Alabama that is published thrice a week. The newspaper which was launched in 1878 services Fort Payne and the surrounding areas. As per the latest readership survey, Times-Journal has a circulation of 5,000 copies. Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also have an online news portal that is updated regularly.
The Decatur Daily
The Decatur Daily as the name suggests is a daily newspaper in Alabama catering to the readers in Decatur and the Tennessee Valley in North Alabama. The newspaper which was first launched in 1912 has played an important role in the economic and community development of the region. Other than the printed edition, they also own an online news portal.
The News Courier
The News Courier is a daily newspaper published in Athens city, Alabama. The newspaper was founded in the year 1892 and has since been covering Limestone County, Alabama. Apart from the printed edition they also own an online news portal.
Conclusion
Similar to the countries across the globe, the circulation of the printed edition of newspapers are declining in Alabama. Owing to which, most newspapers which were once prominent dailies, have become weekly, bi-weekly of tri-weekly newspapers. As of 2020, almost all the major newspapers in Alabama have invested heavily on digital publications and the community newspapers too are following the same path.
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