Key Milestones
It was Lucius Nieman who, with the purchase of the then-22 day old Milwaukee Journal in 1882, laid the foundation for what would become a well-respected, independent media and communications company.
- 1882: The Milwaukee Journal founded as a publishing company. Then called "The Daily Journal," in 1891 it becomes the first newspaper to use "run-of-paper" color when it prints red and blue stripes across Page One for the governor's inauguration.
- 1927: Signed-on WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee, becoming the city's first fully equipped radio station.
- 1937: Journal Company President Harry Grant creates an employee-ownership plan. Employees buy 30,000 shares, or a 25% interest in the company.
- 1947: Signed-on WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee (NBC affiliate).
- 1962: Purchase of Milwaukee Sentinel from Hearst.
- 1968: Midwestern Relay develops out of broadcast expertise.
- 1991: Acquisition of Norlight, a fiber-optic private carrier, by Midwestern Relay.
- 1995: Milwaukee Journal and Sentinel merge.
- 1995: Divestiture of Perry Printing.
- 1999: Acquisition of Great Empire radio group (13 radio stations in 4 states).
- 2003: $112 million newspaper production facility becomes fully operational.
- 2003: Initial public offering of Class A shares.