American multinational media conglomerate, founded in March 1887 and currently based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Hearst runs newspapers, magazines, TV channels and stations, including San Francisco Chronicle, Cosmopolitan, Esquire Magazine, and two of "Seven Sisters" women's magazines that are still physically in print, Good Housekeeping (since 1885) and Woman's Day (est. 1931). Hearst owns 50% of A&E Television Networks group and 20% of ESPN in partnership with The Walt Disney Company.
The company was established in San Francisco, California, by William Randolph Hearst, son of George Hearst, mining entrepreneur and U.S. senator, to publish San Francisco Daily Examiner newspaper. Formally incorporated as Hearst Communications, Inc., it's still managed and partially owned by the Hearst family.