'La Opinion,' Tribune Co. Seek 'Divorcio'

By: Mark Fitzgerald Tribune Co. and Lozano Enterprises -- who each own 50% of La Opini?n in Los Angeles, the biggest-circulation Spanish-language daily newspaper in America -- announced Thursday morning they intend to dissolve their partnership.

The split was not surprising, because Chicago-based Tribune and the Lozano family have been on an uncomfortable collision course since it became obvious that Tribune intended to expand its very successful Spanish-language daily tabloid Hoy from New York City into other markets where it publishes dailies. In the four years since it was created by Tribune's Newsday, Hoy's circulation has soared to 91,156, quickly surpassing the 52,601-circulation daily el diario/La Prensa in New York -- and becoming second nationally only to the 125,862-circulation La Opini?n.

A Chicago edition of Hoy was introduced last month, and while Tribune won't comment on its future plans, it is widely expected to begin publishing an Hoy edition in the heavily Hispanic Los Angeles market, where it owns the Los Angeles Times.

Tribune inherited its stake in La Opini?n as part of its blockbuster $8 billion acquisition in 2000 of the old Times Mirror Co.

In its announcement, the Lozano family said it has retained UBS Investment Bank, as advisor in seeking financing for a repurchase of Tribune's stake in La Opini?n.

"Our mission has always been one of service to our community and its enrichment and empowerment. While we appreciate many aspects of our partnership with Tribune, we believe that La Opini?n can best achieve that mission outside of the Tribune organization," said La Opini?n Publisher and CEO Jos? Ignacio Lozano. "We look forward to the opportunity to independently pursue our goal of growing while remaining the most respected source for news and information for the Spanish speaking community in Southern California."

Tribune won't stand in the family's way, said Jack Fuller, president of Tribune Publishing, in a statement: "Tribune Publishing has valued greatly being able to serve Los Angeles' Spanish-speaking population through La Opini?n. The Lozano family has expressed a desire to operate La Opini?n as an independent newspaper once again. We understand and are willing to cooperate in making that happen."