28MAR201911063051

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY 2100 Q Street Sacramento, California 95816

April 5, 2019

To our Shareholders:

I am pleased to invite you to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of The McClatchy Company (the “Company”) on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time, to be held virtually by means of a live webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during the live webcast of the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MNI2019 and entering your 16 - digit control number included in the notice containing instructions on how to access Annual Meeting materials, your proxy card, or the voting instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

At this year’s meeting, you are being asked to: (i) elect directors for the coming year; (ii) ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as McClatchy’s independent registered public accounting firm; (iii) approve an amendment to The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “2012 Incentive Plan”) to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Plan; and (iv) consider a shareholder proposal described in the Proxy Statement, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting. The notice of meeting and Proxy Statement that follow this letter describe these items in detail. Please take the time to read these materials carefully.

Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote in accordance with the Board’s recommendations on the four (4) proposals included in the Proxy Statement.

As noted above, you will be able to attend, vote and submit questions from your home or any remote location by following the instructions on www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MNI2019.

Whether or not you plan to attend, it is important that your shares be represented. Even if you plan to attend the meeting, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card or submit your proxy by telephone or over the internet to ensure that your shares will be represented at the meeting. Even if you have voted by internet, telephone or proxy card, you may still vote electronically if you attend the virtual annual meeting, which will revoke votes by proxy previously submitted, and only your meeting vote will be counted for purposes of determining shareholder approval. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held through a broker or other nominee, you may vote in accordance with the instructions provided by your broker or nominee.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Craig I. Forman President and Chief Executive Officer

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY 2100 Q Street Sacramento, California 95816

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE McCLATCHY COMPANY TO BE HELD MAY 16, 2019

To our Shareholders:

The 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The McClatchy Company will be held virtually by means of a live webcast on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time, for the following purposes:

1. To elect eleven (11) directors to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal;

2. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as McClatchy’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2019 fiscal year;

3. To approve an amendment to The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “2012 Incentive Plan”) to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Plan;

4. To consider a shareholder proposal described in the Proxy Statement, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting; and

5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

The Board of Directors of McClatchy has chosen the close of business on March 21, 2019, as the record date to identify those shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the virtual Annual Meeting. This notice, the attached Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card for the meeting are first being made available to shareholders on or about April 5, 2019.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Billie S. McConkey, Corporate Secretary April 5, 2019

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE OR SUBMIT YOUR PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET AS DIRECTED ON YOUR PROXY. THE SUBMISSION OF YOUR PROXY WILL NOT LIMIT YOUR RIGHT TO ATTEND OR VOTE ELECTRONICALLY AT THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The McClatchy Company (“McClatchy” or the “Company”) is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and has elected to provide in this Proxy Statement certain scaled disclosures permitted under the Exchange Act for smaller reporting companies. Under the scaled disclosure obligations, the Company is not required to provide, among other things, a Compensation Discussion and Analysis, a compensation committee report and certain other tabular and narrative disclosures relating to executive compensation.

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY 2100 Q Street Sacramento, California 95816

PROXY STATEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

The enclosed proxy card is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The McClatchy Company, a Delaware corporation, with its principal executive offices at 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95816 (“McClatchy” or the “Company”). This proxy card is for use at McClatchy’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held virtually by means of a live webcast on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time.

This Proxy Statement contains important information regarding the Annual Meeting, the proposals on which you are being asked to vote, information you may find useful in determining how to vote and voting procedures.

As of the close of business on March 21, 2019, the record date, there were outstanding 5,460,617 shares of McClatchy’s Class A Common Stock and 2,428,191 shares of McClatchy’s Class B Common Stock. The Board is first making available this Proxy Statement and form of proxy card to shareholders on or about April 5, 2019.

Classes of Stock and Voting Rights

In accordance with McClatchy’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue shares of two classes of Common Stock: Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share. Class A shareholders have the right, voting as a separate class, to elect that number of directors constituting 25% (or the nearest larger whole number) of the total number of members of the Board of Directors and to remove any director elected by the Class A shareholders. On all matters other than the election and removal of Class A directors, holders of Class A Common Stock vote together with holders of Class B Common Stock as a single class where each share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder to one-tenth (1/10) of a vote.

Class B shareholders have the right, voting as a separate class, to elect that number of directors not elected by the Class A shareholders and to remove any director elected by the Class B shareholders. On all matters on which Class B shareholders are entitled to vote, each share of Class B Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote.

Form of Ownership

For each share that you own, regardless of the class from which it issues, your name or the name of someone appointed by you (for example, a broker or other nominee) appears in the Company’s records as the owner of that share. If your name appears in the Company’s records, you are considered the record owner of that share. If the name of someone appointed by you appears in the Company’s records, you are considered the beneficial owner of that share. Because ownership status is determined by reference to a particular share, a shareholder who owns more than one share may be both a shareholder of record and a beneficial owner.

Methods of Voting

You may vote at the virtual Annual Meeting or by submitting a proxy through the mail, by telephone or over the internet.

Voting at the Virtual Annual Meeting

If you were the record owner of at least one share of McClatchy’s Class A or B Common Stock as of the close of business on March 21, 2019, the record date, or if you hold a valid proxy from the record owner of at least one share of McClatchy’s Class A or B Common Stock as of the close of business on the record date, you are entitled to attend the virtual Annual Meeting and vote electronically. Instructions on how to vote during the Annual Meeting webcast are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MNI2019. Shareholders will be able to log into the virtual

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Annual Meeting platform beginning at 8:45 a.m., Pacific Time, on May 16, 2019. We recommend that shareholders log in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting. The virtual Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on May 16, 2019. Votes submitted during the Annual Meeting must be received no later than the closing of the polls announced at the Annual Meeting.

Even if you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors encourages you to complete, sign, date and submit a proxy card. You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the close of the polls at the virtual Annual Meeting (see the section entitled “Revoking Your Proxy” below). If you attend the virtual Annual Meeting and vote electronically, your vote at the meeting will revoke any proxies previously submitted. Simply attending the meeting will not revoke your proxy.

Voting by Proxy

If you are a record owner, you may submit a proxy in any or all of the methods described below. The proxy last executed by you and submitted electronically prior to the close of the polls at the meeting will revoke all previously submitted proxies.

If you authorize the McClatchy proxy holders to vote on your behalf, your shares will be voted in accordance with your directions. If you do not provide voting directions, your shares will be voted FOR each of the Class A nominees for director proposed by the Board of Directors if you hold Class A shares; FOR each of the Class B nominees for director proposed by the Board of Directors if you hold Class B shares; and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as McClatchy’s independent registered public accounting firm; FOR the approval of the amendment to The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “2012 Incentive Plan”), to increase the number of shares of Class A common stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Plan; and AGAINST the shareholder proposal to implement a majority vote in the Company’s governance documents. Whether or not you provide voting directions, your proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the discretion of the proxy holders upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and postponement or adjournment thereof.

If you are the beneficial owner of shares held through a broker or other nominee, your broker or nominee should provide you with information regarding the methods by which you can direct your broker or nominee to vote your shares. Your broker or nominee might send you, for example, a voting instruction card, similar to the Company’s proxy card, to be completed, signed, dated and returned to your broker or nominee by a date in advance of the meeting, and/or information on how to communicate your voting instructions to your broker or nominee by telephone or over the internet.

Submitting Proxy by Mail. By completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card in the enclosed prepaid and addressed envelope, you are authorizing the individuals named on the proxy card to vote your shares at the meeting in the manner you indicate. We encourage you to sign and return the proxy card even if you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. In this way, your shares will be voted if you are unable to attend the meeting. If you received more than one proxy card, it is a likely indication that your shares are held in multiple accounts. Please sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

Submitting Proxy by Telephone. To submit a proxy by telephone, please follow the instructions included on your proxy card. If you submit a proxy by telephone, you do not need to complete and mail your proxy card.

Submitting Proxy on the Internet. To submit a proxy on the internet, please follow the instructions included on your proxy card. If you submit a proxy on the internet, you do not need to complete and mail your proxy card.

Revoking Your Proxy

You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the close of voting at the meeting by doing any one of the following:

• complete, sign, date and submit another proxy (a properly executed, valid proxy will revoke any previously submitted proxies);

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• provide written notice of the revocation to McClatchy’s corporate secretary; or

• attend the virtual Annual Meeting and vote electronically by no later than the closing of the polls at the meeting.

Quorum Requirement

A quorum, which under McClatchy’s By-Laws, as Amended and Restated (the “By-Laws”), is a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company, must be present in person or represented by proxy in order to hold the meeting and to conduct business; provided that, when any specified action is required to be voted upon by a class of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class shall be requisite and shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of such specified action. Shares are counted as being present at the meeting if you appear at the virtual Annual Meeting or if you have your shares represented by proxy, either through the mail, by telephone or over the internet. If any broker non-votes (as described below) are present at the meeting, they will be counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum.

Broker Non-Votes

If you are the beneficial owner of shares held through a broker, bank or other nominee, and your broker, bank or other nominee transmits proxy materials to you, but you do not return voting instructions, applicable regulations of the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American”) permit your broker, bank or other nominee to vote your shares on certain routine matters without your instruction. Such regulations also list various non-routine matters as to which your broker, bank or other nominee may not vote your shares without your instruction. A vote that your broker, bank or other nominee does not have authority to cast pursuant to applicable regulations is known as a “broker non-vote.” To the extent that broker non-votes are applicable with respect to matters at the Annual Meeting, they will be treated as shares present for purposes of determining a quorum, but will not be treated as shares present and entitled to vote on that matter. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee it is critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the vote of Items 1, 3 and 4 of this Proxy Statement. Your broker, bank or other nominee will have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares on Item 2 of this Proxy Statement.

Votes Required for the Proposals

Only Class A shareholders are entitled to vote on the nominees for Class A director. If you are a Class A shareholder, with respect to each nominee for Class A director, you may vote for the nominee or you may withhold your vote. If you withhold your vote with respect to any or all nominees for Class A director, your vote will be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be counted as a vote in favor of the proposal. The three nominees for Class A director receiving the highest number of votes from Class A shareholders, in person or by proxy, will be elected as the Class A directors.

Only Class B shareholders are entitled to vote on the nominees for Class B director. If you are a Class B shareholder, with respect to each nominee for Class B director, you may vote for the nominee or you may withhold your vote. If you withhold your vote with respect to any or all nominees for Class B director, your vote will be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be counted as a vote in favor of the proposal. The eight nominees for Class B director receiving the highest number of votes from Class B shareholders, in person or by proxy, will be elected as the Class B directors.

In accordance with McClatchy’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, on all matters other than the election of directors presented at the meeting holders of Class A Common Stock vote together with holders of Class B Common Stock as a single class where each share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder to one-tenth (1/10) of a vote, and each share of Class B Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote. If you abstain from voting with respect to a particular proposal, your vote will be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum and present at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter. With respect to Items 2, 3 and 4 in this Proxy Statement, under the Delaware General Corporation Law and applicable NYSE American rules, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote is required and an abstention has the same effect as a vote against the proposal. With respect to election of directors, abstentions will have no effect on

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the outcome of the proposal since director nominees are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the applicable class of McClatchy common shareholders.

Voting Confidentiality

Proxies, ballots and voting tabulations are handled on a confidential basis to protect your voting privacy. Information will not be disclosed except as required by law.

Voting Results

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the meeting and the final voting results will be filed with the

Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in a Current Report on Form 8 - K within four business days of the Annual Meeting. After the report is filed, you may obtain a copy by:

• visiting our website at www..com;

• contacting our Investor Relations department at (916) 321 - 1931; or

• viewing our Current Report on Form 8 - K on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Solicitation Costs

McClatchy will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of the proxy materials. McClatchy will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation material to McClatchy shareholders. Employees of McClatchy and its subsidiaries may also solicit proxies personally and by telephone. The expense for this would be nominal.

Attending the Virtual Annual Meeting

McClatchy will be hosting this year’s Annual Meeting live over webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MNI2019. This year’s Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting. A summary of the information you need to attend the Annual Meeting online is provided below:

• All shareholders can attend the Annual Meeting over the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MNI2019;

• Shareholders will be able to access the virtual Annual Meeting platform 15 minutes prior to the Annual Meeting, which will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on May 16, 2019;

• Only shareholders as of the record date may vote or submit questions while attending the Annual Meeting

(by using the 16 - digit control number provided in your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, your proxy card, or the voting instructions that accompanied your proxy materials);

• Instructions on how to attend the Annual Meeting are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MNI2019; and

• A replay of the Annual Meeting will be available online for approximately 12 months following the meeting date.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 2019. This Proxy Statement and our Annual

Report on Form 10 - K for the year ended December 30, 2018 are available at www.proxyvote.com.

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PROPOSALS

Item 1. Election of Directors

Overview

In accordance with McClatchy’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Class A shareholders have the right, voting as a separate class, to elect that number of directors constituting 25% (or the nearest larger whole number) of the total number of members of the Board of Directors. Class B shareholders have the right, voting as a separate class, to elect that number of directors not elected by the Class A shareholders. Only Class A shareholders are entitled to vote on the nominees for Class A director, and only Class B shareholders are entitled to vote on the nominees for Class B director.

At the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, eleven (11) directors are to be elected to serve until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Vijay Ravindran, a Class B director, will serve on the Board until the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, after which time the size of the Board will be decreased to an eleven-person Board. In 2018, all of the nominees for election are directors of McClatchy who were elected by shareholders at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If any director nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the annual meeting, the Board may, by resolution, provide for a lesser number of directors or designate a substitute director to fill the vacancy.

A brief biography for each nominee for director, grouped by class, appears below. In addition, certain individual qualifications and skills of our directors that contribute to the Board’s effectiveness as a whole are described below. Following the biographies of director nominees, the section entitled “Other Executive Officers” contains a brief biography for each of McClatchy’s non-director executive officers. Although the biographies of McClatchy’s non-director executive officers are presented under the section entitled “Proposals,” no action with respect to McClatchy’s non-director executive officers is sought from, or is to be taken by, the shareholders. The biographies of McClatchy’s non-director executive officers are presented under this section merely for convenient reference.

Voting Matters

Only Class A shareholders are entitled to vote on the nominees for Class A director. If you are a Class A shareholder, with respect to each nominee for Class A director, you may vote for the nominee or you may withhold your vote. If you withhold your vote with respect to any or all nominees for Class A director, your vote will be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be counted as a vote in favor of the proposal. The three nominees for Class A director receiving the highest number of votes from Class A shareholders, in person or by proxy, will be elected as the Class A directors.

Only Class B shareholders are entitled to vote on the nominees for Class B director. If you are a Class B shareholder, with respect to each nominee for Class B director, you may vote for the nominee or you may withhold your vote. If you withhold your vote with respect to any or all nominees for Class B director, your vote will be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be counted as a vote in favor of the proposal. The eight nominees for Class B director receiving the highest number of votes from Class B shareholders, in person or by proxy, will be elected as the Class B directors.

Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of Item 1 since the director nominees are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the applicable classes of McClatchy common shareholders.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES.

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Nominees for Class A Director

Elizabeth Ballantine, 70, has been a director of McClatchy since March 1998. Prior to joining the Board of Directors, Ms. Ballantine was a director of Cowles Media Company, a position she had held since 1993. Since 1999, Ms. Ballantine has been president of EBA Associates, a consulting firm. From 1993 to 1999, she was an attorney in the Washington, D.C. law firm of Dickstein, Shapiro, Morin and Oshinsky LLP. From 1990 until 1993, she worked as a private consultant advising clients on international business investments. Ms. Ballantine is a life trustee of Grinnell College in and was chair of the Governing Board of the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. Since December 2004, Ms. Ballantine has been a director of the mutual funds of the Principal Financial Group of Des Moines, Iowa. She also serves on the board of directors of Durango Herald, Inc. of Durango, Colorado. Ms. Ballantine has significant experience and knowledge of media and publishing stemming from her service on the board of directors of Cowles Media Company as well as her involvement with her family-owned newspaper in Durango, Colorado.

Anjali Joshi, 58, has been a director of McClatchy since July 31, 2017. Ms. Joshi is currently Vice President for Product Management at Google, Inc., and has held various positions there since 2006, including Search and News. Prior to joining Google, Ms. Joshi served as Executive Vice President of Engineering for Covad Communications, Inc. from 1998 to 2003. Ms. Joshi also held positions at AT&T Bell Labs working in the areas of voice and high-speed data from 1990 to 1998. Ms. Joshi’s experience as an accomplished technology and digital executive brings additional platform experience and technical acumen to the Board as the Company transitions into the digital landscape.

Maria Thomas, 55, has been a director of McClatchy since August 2016. Since 2017 Ms. Thomas has been an angel investor and founder of Axios Ventures, LLC. Prior to that, in 2016, Ms. Thomas served as the interim CEO and strategic advisor to Glamsquad, a NYC-based startup offering beauty services on demand. From February 2013 to August 2015, Ms. Thomas served as Chief Marketing and Consumer Officer for SmartThings, a pioneer in the consumer Internet of Things arena. She helped SmartThings navigate its two year journey from launch on Kickstarter to a $200 million sale to Samsung. From 2008 to 2010, Ms. Thomas was the first non-founder CEO at Etsy, where under her leadership, Etsy became a trusted global brand with seven million customers and a trusted e-commerce platform serving hundreds of thousands of sellers with gross merchandise sales of more than $300 million. From 2001 to 2008, she was SVP and GM of NPR Digital. She was a driving force behind NPR’s successful transformation from a radio-only company to a best-in-class, multimedia enterprise. Ms. Thomas currently serves on the board of directors and the compensation committee of Control4Corp, a public company that provides personalized automation and control solutions, since February 2018 and the privately held digital textile printing and e-commerce company, Spoonflower. Ms. Thomas started her career on Wall Street as a financial analyst and spent seven years with World Bank Group as an Investment Officer with the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank’s private sector arm. Ms. Thomas’ deep digital management and product experience, her work with investors and venture capitalists, and background in media make her uniquely suited to helping McClatchy develop new business models for public service journalism. Ms. Thomas’ expertise also qualifies her to serve as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

Nominees for Class B Director

Leroy Barnes, Jr., 67, has been a director of McClatchy since September 2000. Mr. Barnes is the retired vice president and treasurer of PG&E Corporation, a position he held from 2001 to 2005. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Barnes was vice president and treasurer of Gap, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Barnes held various executive positions with Pacific Telesis Group/SBC Communications. Earlier in his career, Mr. Barnes was a consultant at Touche Ross & Co., a predecessor of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Barnes is also a member of the boards of directors of Frontier Communications, Inc. since May 2005, and Principal Funds, Inc. and Principal Variable Contracts, Inc., each since March 2012. He has also been a trustee of Principal ETF, Inc. since December 2014. Mr. Barnes had also served as a member of the board of directors of Herbalife, Ltd. from December 2004 to February 2015. Mr. Barnes’ experience as a finance executive at other publicly-traded companies as well as his service on other boards position him to critically review and oversee various managerial, strategic, financial and compliance-based considerations applicable to McClatchy. Mr. Barnes’ expertise also qualifies him to serve as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

Molly Maloney Evangelisti,1 66, has been a director of McClatchy since July 1995. She worked in various capacities for from October 1978 to December 1996, including the oversight of special projects.

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As a longtime McClatchy employee, with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience at The Sacramento Bee, Ms. Evangelisti has an extensive knowledge of the Company’s people and business.

Craig I. Forman, 57, has been President and Chief Executive Officer of McClatchy since January 2017 and a director of McClatchy since July 2013. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Forman was a private investor and entrepreneur. From 2006 until 2009, Mr. Forman served as president of consumer access and audience business of the Atlanta-based internet services provider Earthlink. Earlier, Mr. Forman served as the Vice President and general manager for Yahoo’s media and information divisions, overseeing Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Sports and Yahoo! Finance. Mr. Forman led internet and new media divisions at Time Warner, a cable television company, was the vice president for product development and editor at the search engine Infoseek, and was the director and editor of international business information services for Dow Jones, a publishing and financial information firm. Since 2009, Mr. Forman has served as a director on a variety of public and private company boards. Until March 2015, Mr. Forman was the executive chairman of the board of Appia, Inc., a Durham, N.C., based mobile- applications marketer and distributor. In connection with the completion of Digital Turbine, Inc.’s merger with Appia, Inc. in March 2015, Mr. Forman was appointed to Digital Turbine, Inc.’s board of directors; he resigned from the Digital Turbine board upon his appointment as McClatchy’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Forman has served on the board of Yellow Media, Inc., a Canadian publisher of print and digital business directories, since 2012. Previously, Mr. Forman served as executive chairman of WHERE, Inc., a leading mobile-advertising technology network, until it was acquired by eBay Inc. in 2011. Mr. Forman began his career as a foreign correspondent and editor for The Wall Street Journal. He worked as a deputy bureau chief in The Wall Street Journal’s London bureau and later served as bureau chief in the newspaper’s Tokyo bureau. Mr. Forman’s digital, business and media experience, which focused on helping companies successfully navigate and thrive in the digital landscape, and extensive knowledge of the Company, make him a valuable asset to the Company. This experience and his knowledge of the Company’s day-to-day operations as President and Chief Executive Officer put him in a position to work proactively with the Board to develop and implement the Company’s business strategy in the coming years.

Brown McClatchy Maloney,1 63, has been a director of McClatchy since September 2004. Mr. Maloney is the owner of Radio Pacific and the operator of KONP radio, an ABC affiliate, and two additional radio stations in western Washington State. Mr. Maloney is also the owner of Olympic View Properties and Cedar Ridge Properties, both Washington state real estate companies. In addition, Mr. Maloney serves as a member of the board of directors of The Seattle Times Company. From 1988 through November 2011, he was the owner of Olympic View Publishing, a weekly newspaper company in Washington State. From 1974 to 1987, prior to his ownership of Olympic View Publishing and Radio Pacific, Mr. Maloney held various circulation and advertising positions at the Anchorage Daily News, The Sacramento Bee and . He served as the president of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association from 1996 to 1997 and is the former president of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Mr. Maloney’s ownership of various newspapers and radio stations provides him with valuable insight into McClatchy’s business strategy and industry challenges. He also has valuable executive leadership, management and entrepreneurial experience.

Kevin S. McClatchy,1 56, has been a director of McClatchy since September 1998, and non-executive Chairman of the Board since May 2012. From 1996 to 2007, he was the managing general partner and chief executive officer of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team. From 1994 to 1995, he was president of the Northern California Sports Development Group and The Modesto A’s, a minor league baseball team. Mr. McClatchy held various positions with McClatchy from 1990 to 1994, including serving as sales director for The Newspaper Network, Inc., advertising director at the Amador Ledger Dispatch and sales representative for The Sacramento Bee. As a former senior executive officer of a professional and minor league sports franchise, Mr. McClatchy has demonstrated leadership capability and extensive knowledge of the complex financial, operational and personnel issues facing large organizations. In addition, his years of experience working at McClatchy have given him extensive knowledge of its business.

William McClatchy,1 57, has been a director of McClatchy since September 2004. Mr. McClatchy is an entrepreneur, journalist and currently a real estate investor. He formerly managed Index Investing’s ETFzone.com, a website supplying content concerning exchange-traded index funds. In 1999, Mr. McClatchy co-founded indexfunds.com, a website for index investing content. From 1987 through 1991, Mr. McClatchy served in a variety of editorial positions for computer magazines, including staff writer at PC Week and MAC Week, and microcomputing editor at Information Week. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. McClatchy worked as a reporter for The Fresno Bee.

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Mr. McClatchy’s founding of a financial and investing website, in conjunction with his continued involvement in the digital world as editor of ETFzone.com, positions him to offer unique knowledge and perspective of McClatchy’s digital business and assets.

Theodore R. Mitchell, 63, assumed the Presidency of the American Council on Education on September 1, 2017. Prior to that he was the Under Secretary of the Department of Education from May 2014 until January 2017, responsible for all post-secondary and adult education policy programs as well as the $1.3 trillion Federal Student Aid Portfolio. Prior to his federal service, Dr. Mitchell served for ten years as CEO of the NewSchools Venture Fund, a national investor in education technology from September 2005 to May 2014. He served, as well, as President of the California State Board of Education, President of Occidental College, and in a variety of leadership roles at UCLA, including Vice Chancellor. Dr. Mitchell was deputy to the President and to the Provost at Stanford University and began his career as a professor at Dartmouth College where he also served as Chair of the Department of Education. Dr. Mitchell served as a McClatchy Director from September 2001 until May 2014. Dr. Mitchell was re-elected to the Board of McClatchy in May 2017. Dr. Mitchell has also been serving on the board of overseers of TIAA, a major financial services company, since December 2018. Dr. Mitchell’s experience as a leader in education, business and public policy provides the Board with valuable insights into the needs of McClatchy’s communities and its business development strategy.

Clyde W. Ostler, 72, has been a director of McClatchy since May 2013. In March 2011, Mr. Ostler retired from Wells Fargo and Company as a Group Executive Vice President, Vice Chairman of Wells Fargo Bank California and President of Wells Fargo Family Wealth. During his 40 - year tenure with Wells Fargo, Mr. Ostler served in a number of capacities including Vice Chairman in the Office of the President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Auditor, Head of Retail Branch Banking, Head of Information Technology, Head of Institutional and Personal Investments and Head of Internet Service. Mr. Ostler was a member of Wells Fargo’s management committee for over 25 years. He has served on a number of for-profit and not-for-profit boards. He is currently a member of the board of directors and chair of the Audit Committee of EXLService Holdings, Inc., a position he has held since December 2007. From May 2002 to November 2006, Mr. Ostler served on the board of directors of Mercury Interactive Corporation and from November 1999 to November 2004, was a member of the board of directors of BARRA, Inc. Mr. Ostler is currently on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Directors’ Advisory Council. Mr. Ostler has extensive experience serving on boards of directors of public companies and his years of senior executive experience at a large financial institution give him significant executive leadership, management and financial oversight experience. His experience and background qualify him to serve as one of the Board’s “audit committee financial experts” as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

1 Molly Maloney Evangelisti and Brown McClatchy Maloney are siblings. Kevin S. McClatchy and William McClatchy are cousins to each other and to Ms. Evangelisti and Mr. Maloney.

Other Executive Officers

Elaine Lintecum, 63, has been Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of McClatchy since May 2012, prior to which she was Treasurer of McClatchy since December 2002. Ms. Lintecum joined McClatchy in 1988 as the corporate analyst responsible for external financial reporting and for SEC compliance. She was promoted to investor relations manager in 1993, was named assistant treasurer and director of treasury services in 2000 and became Treasurer in 2002. Prior to joining McClatchy, Ms. Lintecum worked for Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, a predecessor of Deloitte & Touche LLP, as a certified public accountant. Ms. Lintecum serves on the Board of Directors of the Seattle Times Company, The Ponderay Newsprint Company and the River City Bank.

Scott Manuel, 43, has been Vice President, Customer and Product since October 9, 2017. Prior to joining McClatchy, Mr. Manuel held various positions beginning in 2010 at Thomson Reuters, which included Vice President, Technology Strategy & Architecture – Healthcare, Intellectual Property & Science, Vice President, Global Data Center Operations and his last position was Vice President, Head of Strategic Product Management & Delivery - Applied Innovation.

Billie S. McConkey, 48, is McClatchy’s Vice President of People, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, roles she has held since 2015. Ms. McConkey worked with McClatchy as special employment counsel from 2006 until

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March 2015. Previously, from 2000 to 2006, Ms. McConkey was special labor counsel for , Inc. and from 1998 to 2000, Ms. McConkey was vice president, labor and employment counsel for Central Newspapers, Inc. Ms. McConkey was also an associate at the law firms, Brown & Bain P.A. (a predecessor of Perkins Coie LLP) and Bryan Cave LLP from 1995 to 1998.

Andrew Pergam, 40, has been Vice President, News Operations and New Ventures at McClatchy since November 1, 2016. He began his professional career as an on-air television reporter in Connecticut in 2001. He transitioned into management in 2008, leading digital efforts at an NBC-owned property. In 2010, he returned to Washington, D.C. as editorial director of a journalism institute based at American University. The following year he joined The Washington Post, where as a senior editor and head of video, he helped reshape the operation and launch a number of new initiatives. Mr. Pergam joined McClatchy in 2014 to develop a comprehensive video strategy across all markets with responsibilities in editorial, product and revenue areas. In his current role, Mr. Pergam continues to build the video operation and has taken on business development and corporate development functions, including management and growth of the company’s portfolio of strategic investments. He sits on the board of Matter, a venture fund and media accelerator, and advises a number of other startups.

Mark Zieman, 58, has been Vice President, Operations of McClatchy since June 2011, and has assumed additional responsibilities in his role as Vice President, Operations since June 30, 2015, overseeing McClatchy’s 30 local media properties, and the corporate advertising and production teams. Prior to his corporate appointment, Mr. Zieman served as president and publisher of from March 2008 to June 2011, and as editor, managing editor and an investigative reporter at The Kansas City Star from 1986 to 2008.

Item 2. Ratification of Deloitte &Touche LLP as McClatchy’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Overview

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed, subject to ratification by the shareholders, Deloitte & Touche LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 29, 2019. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire. They will also be available at the Annual Meeting of shareholders to respond to appropriate questions.

Fees Billed to McClatchy by Deloitte & Touche LLP

The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by McClatchy for the audit and other services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP for fiscal 2018 and 2017:

2018 2017 Audit Fees(1) $ 2,690,000 $ 3,121,080 Audit-Related Fees(2) 115,000 60,000 Tax Fees — — All Other Fees 200,000 — Total $ 3,005,000 $ 3,181,080

(1) Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our financial statements and our controls over financial reporting and review of our quarterly financial statements and audit services provided in connection with other statutory or regulatory filings.

(2) Audit-related fees consisted primarily of accounting consultations, employee benefit plan audits and other attestation services.

In considering the services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Audit Committee discussed the nature of the services with the independent auditors and management and determined that the services were compatible with the provision of independent audit services permitted under the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002. All of the amounts reflected in the table above were approved according to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy described below.

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Audit Committee Pre-approval Policy

To ensure the independence of our independent accountants and to comply with applicable securities laws, the NYSE American Listed Company Rules, and the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing, deliberating and, if appropriate, pre-approving all audit, audit-related, and non-audit services to be performed by the independent accountants. For that purpose, the Audit Committee has established a policy and related procedures regarding the pre-approval of all audit, audit-related, and non-audit services to be performed by our Company’s independent accountants (the “Pre-Approval Policy”).

The Pre-Approval Policy provides that our Company’s independent accountants may not perform any audit, audit-related, or non-audit service for McClatchy, subject to those exceptions that may be permitted by applicable law, unless: (1) the service has been pre-approved by the Audit Committee; or (2) subject to the procedure established by the Audit Committee or by the chairman of the Audit Committee if the fees for services involved are less than $50,000.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS MCCLATCHY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

Item 3. To approve an amendment to the 2012 Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Plan.

We are asking our shareholders to consider and to approve an amendment (the “Amendment”) to The McClatchy Company 2012 Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “2012 Incentive Plan”).

Upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, on March 20, 2019, the Board adopted the Amendment, subject to approval by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. If approved by our shareholders, the Amendment would increase the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Plan by 750,000 shares. The Amendment makes no other changes to the existing terms of the 2012 Incentive Plan.

The purpose of the 2012 Incentive Plan is to (i) provide incentives to eligible persons to motivate them to expend maximum effort to improve the business result and earnings of the Company by providing an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in the operations and future success of the Company and (ii) provide a means of recruiting, rewarding, and retaining key personnel. To this end, the 2012 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units (including deferred stock units), unrestricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, performance shares, other performance-based awards, and cash incentive awards.

If the shareholders fail to approve the Amendment, the 2012 Incentive Plan will continue, and compensatory equity-based compensation will continue under the 2012 Incentive Plan to the extent shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock are available for issuance thereunder. As of March 20, 2019, there were 90,406 shares available for future grants under the 2012 Incentive Plan (without giving effect to additional shares that may become available upon the future expiration, forfeiture, or cancellation of outstanding awards). The Board and the Compensation Committee believe that, if the Amendment is not approved, our ability to align the interests of key personnel with shareholders through equity-based compensation would be compromised, disrupting our compensation program and impairing our ability to recruit, retain, and reward key personnel, or requiring us to shift our compensation plan to include more cash compensation.

Summary of the Material Terms of the 2012 Incentive Plan, as amended by the Amendment

A summary of the material terms of the 2012 Incentive Plan, as amended by the Amendment, is set forth below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the detailed provisions of the 2012 Incentive Plan, as amended by the Amendment, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement and which is incorporated by reference into this proposal. We encourage our shareholders to read and refer to the complete plan document in Appendix A for a more complete description of the 2012 Incentive Plan, as amended by the Amendment.

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Amendment Date; Amendment, Suspension, and Termination. The 2012 Incentive Plan originally became effective as of January 24, 2012 (the “Effective Date”), was amended and restated as of March 23, 2017, and will be further amended as of May 16, 2019 (the “Amendment Date”), subject to approval by our shareholders on such date. Unless terminated sooner in accordance with the terms of the 2012 Incentive Plan or extended with shareholder approval, the 2012 Incentive Plan will terminate on the day before the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, January 23, 2022. Our Board may amend, suspend, or terminate the 2012 Incentive Plan at any time; provided that no amendment, suspension, or termination may impair the rights or obligations under outstanding awards, without the consent of the grantee. Our shareholders must approve any amendment to the 2012 Incentive Plan to the extent determined by the Board or if such approval is required under applicable law or NYSE American regulations. Our shareholders also must approve any amendment that changes the no re-pricing, option pricing, and stock appreciation right pricing provisions of the 2012 Incentive Plan.

Administration of the 2012 Incentive Plan. The 2012 Incentive Plan generally is administered by a committee consisting of two or more directors of the Company. Each such director is required to qualify as an “independent director” under the New York Stock Exchange listing rules, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of

Rule 16b - 3 under the Exchange Act, and an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. At this time, the committee is the Compensation Committee and may be a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee that satisfies the foregoing requirements. The Board is also authorized to appoint one or more committees of the Board consisting of one or more directors of the Company who need not be non-employee directors. Any such committees would be authorized to administer the 2012 Incentive Plan with respect to participants in the 2012 Incentive Plan who are not Company “officers” within the meaning of Rule 16a - 1(f) under the Exchange Act or Company directors and, in this capacity, would be authorized to grant awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan to such participants and to determine all terms of such awards. The Compensation Committee may delegate to a designated officer the power and authority to grant awards to non-executive employees. References below to the Compensation Committee include a reference to the Board, another committee appointed by the Board, or designated officer for those periods in which the Board, such other committee appointed by the Board, or designated officer is acting.

Eligibility. All of our employees and the employees of our subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to receive awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan. In addition, our non-employee directors and certain consultants and advisors to the Company and its affiliates may receive awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan, other than incentive stock options. Approximately six executive officers, eleven non-employee directors, and 3,158 employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 2012 Incentive Plan as of the date hereof.

Share Authorization and Limits. If the Amendment to the 2012 Incentive Plan is approved by our shareholders, an additional 750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock will be reserved for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Plan, and the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued under the 2012 Incentive Plan, consisting of authorized but unissued shares or issued shares that have been reacquired by the Company, will be equal to the sum of (i) 1,750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (which includes the original share pool of 500,000 shares, plus the 500,000 share pool added as of March 23, 2017, plus the new share pool of 750,000 shares), plus (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for future awards under the prior plan as of May 16, 2012, plus (iii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock related to awards outstanding under the prior plan as of May 16, 2012 that thereafter terminate by expiration or forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares of Class A Common Stock. The maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to incentive stock options granted under the Plan will be the same as the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan.

Shares of Class A Common Stock that are subject to awards will be counted against the 2012 Incentive Plan’s share limit as of the date of grant as one share for every one share subject to the award. If any awards terminate, expire, or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered without having been exercised or paid or if any awards are forfeited or expire or otherwise terminate without the delivery of any shares of Class A Common Stock or are settled in cash in lieu of shares of Class A Common Stock, the shares subject to such awards will again be available for purposes of the 2012 Incentive Plan. However, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Plan will not be increased by the number of shares of common stock (i) tendered, withheld, or subject to an award surrendered in connection with the exercise of an option, (ii) deducted or delivered from payment of an award payment in connection with the Company’s tax withholding obligations, (iii) purchased by the

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Company with proceeds from option exercises, or (iv) not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of a stock- settled stock appreciation right.

The maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options or stock appreciation rights that may be granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan to any person in a calendar year is 150,000 shares. The maximum number of shares subject to awards other than options or stock appreciation rights that may be granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan to any person in a calendar year is 150,000 shares. The maximum amount that may be paid for a single cash-settled performance-based award for any performance period is $5 million.

The number and kinds of shares of common stock for which awards may be made under the 2012 Incentive Plan, including the limits described above, and the number of shares and exercise prices of outstanding awards will be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Compensation Committee if the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of Class A Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of shares or kind of capital stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend, or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in shares of common stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.

Fair Market Value Determination. For so long as our Class A Common Stock remains listed on the NYSE American (or listed on any other established securities exchange or traded on any other securities market), the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock will be the closing price for a share as quoted on such exchange or market for such date. If there is no reported closing price on such date, the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock will be the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists. If our Class A Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange or traded on an established securities market, the Compensation Committee will determine the fair market value in good faith by reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code. On March 21, 2019, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock as reported on the NYSE American was $5.33 per share.

Options. The 2012 Incentive Plan authorizes our Compensation Committee to grant incentive stock options (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) and options that do not qualify as incentive stock options (“non-qualified options”). To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of shares of Class A Common Stock determined on the date of grant with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the option will be treated as a non-qualified option. The exercise price of each option will be determined by the Compensation Committee, provided that the exercise price will be equal to or greater than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. If we were to grant incentive stock options to any 10 percent shareholder, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant.

The term of an option cannot exceed ten years from the date of grant. If we were to grant incentive stock options to any 10 percent shareholder, the term cannot exceed five years from the date of grant. The Compensation Committee determines at what time or times each option may be exercised and the period of time, if any, after retirement, death, disability, or termination of employment during which options may be exercised. Options may be made exercisable in installments. The vesting and exercisability of options may be accelerated by the Compensation Committee. Awards of options are nontransferable, except for transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

Stock Appreciation Rights. The 2012 Incentive Plan authorizes our Compensation Committee to grant stock appreciation rights that provide the grantee with the right to receive, upon exercise of the stock appreciation right, cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, or a combination of the foregoing. The amount that the recipient will receive upon exercise of the stock appreciation right generally will equal the excess of the fair market value of our Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise over the stock appreciation right’s exercise price, which must be equal to or greater than 100% of the fair market value of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. Stock appreciation rights will become exercisable in accordance with terms determined by our Compensation Committee. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in tandem with an option grant or independently from an option grant. The term of a stock appreciation right cannot exceed ten years from the date of grant. Awards of stock appreciation rights are nontransferable, except for transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

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Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The 2012 Incentive Plan also authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant restricted stock and restricted stock units (including deferred stock units). Subject to the provisions of the 2012 Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee will determine the terms and conditions of each award of restricted stock and restricted stock units, including the restricted period for all or a portion of the award, the restrictions applicable to the award, and the purchase price (if any) for the shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the award. Restricted stock and restricted stock units may vest solely by the passage of time and/or pursuant to achievement of performance goals, and the restrictions and/or the restricted period may differ with respect to each award of restricted stock and restricted stock units. An award will be subject to forfeiture if events specified by the Compensation Committee occur before the lapse of the restrictions. During the period, if any, when shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units are non-transferable or forfeitable or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Compensation Committee, a grantee is prohibited from selling, transferring, assigning, pledging, or otherwise encumbering or disposing of his or her shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units.

A grantee of restricted stock will have all the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the shares and receive dividends or distributions on the shares, except to the extent limited by the Compensation Committee or the 2012 Incentive Plan. Grantees of restricted stock units will have no voting or dividend rights or other rights associated with share ownership, although the Compensation Committee may award dividend equivalent rights on such units. Grantees will not vest in dividends paid on restricted stock or in dividend equivalent rights paid on restricted stock units unless the underlying awards vest.

Dividend Equivalent Rights. The 2012 Incentive Plan authorizes our Compensation Committee to grant dividend equivalent rights, which are rights entitling the grantee to receive credits for dividends or distributions that would be paid if the grantee had held a specified number of shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the right. The Compensation Committee may grant dividend equivalent rights to a grantee in connection with an award under the 2012 Incentive Plan, or without regard to any other award, except that no dividend equivalent rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an option or stock appreciation right. Dividend equivalent rights may be settled in cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, or a combination of the foregoing, in a single installment or in multiple installments, as determined by the Compensation Committee. A dividend equivalent right granted as a component of another award may provide that the dividend equivalent right will be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, the other award, and that the dividend equivalent right will expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as the other award, and a dividend equivalent right granted as a component of another award also may contain terms and conditions that are different from the terms and conditions of the other award, except in each case that dividend equivalent rights credited as a component of another award may not vest unless the underlying award vests.

Performance-Based Awards. The 2012 Incentive Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant performance-based awards, ultimately payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or cash, in such amounts and upon such terms as determined by the Compensation Committee. Each grant of a performance-based award will have an initial cash value or an actual or target number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is established by the Compensation Committee at the date of grant. The Compensation Committee may set performance goals in its discretion that, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the value and/or number of performance- based awards that will be paid out to a grantee. The Compensation Committee will establish the performance periods for these performance-based awards.

Form of Payments. The exercise price for any option or the purchase price (if any) for restricted stock or vested restricted stock units is generally payable (i) in cash or cash equivalents, (ii) to the extent the award agreement provides, by the surrender of shares of common stock (or attestation of ownership of shares of common stock) with an aggregate fair market value, on the date of such surrender, of the exercise price or purchase price, (iii) to the extent permissible by applicable law and to the extent the award agreement provides, by payment through a broker in accordance with procedures set forth by the Company, or (iv) to the extent the award agreement provides and/or unless otherwise specified in an award agreement, any other form permissible by applicable law, including net exercise, net withholding, and service rendered to the Company or our affiliates.

Change in Control. If the Company experiences a change in control: (i) immediately before the change in control, all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights will vest, and all outstanding restricted stock, restricted stock units, and dividend equivalent rights will vest, and all shares of Class A Common Stock and/or cash subject to

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such awards will be delivered, and (ii) at the Compensation Committee’s discretion, either (a) all options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and dividend equivalent rights will be terminated and cashed out or redeemed for securities of equivalent value, and/or all options and stock appreciation rights will become exercisable for a period before the change in control, or (b) the Company may make a provision in writing for the assumption and continuation of such awards. Performance-based awards will vest (i) if less than half of the performance period has lapsed, at target or (ii) if half or more of the performance period has lapsed, at actual if determinable or at target if actual is not determinable.

In summary, a change in control occurs under the 2012 Incentive Plan if:

• The sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), entity, or group of persons acting in concert;

• Any “person” or group of persons (other than any member of the McClatchy family or any entity or group controlled by one or more members of the McClatchy family) becoming the “beneficial owner”

(as defined in Rule 13d - 3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;

• A merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its controlling entity) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity (or its controlling entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

• A contest for the election or removal of members of the Board that results in the removal from the Board of at least 50% of the incumbent members of the Board; or

• The occurrence of a “Rule 13e - 3 transaction” as such term is defined in Rule 13e - 3 under the Exchange Act.

No Repricing. Except in connection with certain corporate transactions involving the Company, we may not: (i) amend the terms of outstanding options or stock appreciation rights to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding options or stock appreciation rights; (ii) cancel outstanding options or stock appreciation rights in exchange for or substitution of options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options or stock appreciation rights; or (iii) cancel outstanding options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price above the current fair market value in exchange for cash or other securities, in each case, unless such action (a) is subject to and approved by the Company’s shareholders or (b) would not be deemed to be a repricing under the rules of the NYSE American or any established stock exchange or securities market on which our Class A Common Stock is listed or publicly traded.

Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan for participants and the Company will depend on the type of award granted. The following summary description of U.S. federal income tax consequences is intended only for the general information of shareholders and is not intended to be exhaustive. A participant in the 2012 Incentive Plan should not rely on this description and instead should consult his or her own tax advisor for the application of federal, state, local, or foreign income, employment, and other taxes to the grantee’s own particular circumstances.

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Incentive Stock Options. The grant of an incentive stock option will not be a taxable event for the grantee or for the Company. A grantee will not recognize taxable income upon exercise of an incentive stock option (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply), and any gain (or loss) realized upon a disposition of our Class A Common Stock received pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option will be taxed as long-term capital gain (or loss) if the grantee holds the shares of Class A Common Stock for at least two years after the date of grant and for one year after the date of exercise (the “holding period requirement”). We will not be entitled to any business expense deduction with respect to the exercise of an incentive stock option, except as discussed below.

For the exercise of an incentive stock option to qualify for the foregoing tax treatment, the grantee generally must be our employee or an employee of our subsidiary from the date the incentive stock option is granted through a date within three months before the date of exercise of the option.

If all of the foregoing requirements are met except the holding period requirement mentioned above, the grantee will recognize ordinary income upon the disposition of the Class A Common Stock in an amount generally equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock at the time the option was exercised over the option exercise price (but not in excess of the gain realized on the sale). The balance of the realized gain, if any, will be capital gain. If we comply with applicable reporting requirements and with the restrictions of Section 162(m) of the Code, we will be allowed a business expense deduction to the extent the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

Non-Qualified Options. The grant of a non-qualified option will not be a taxable event for the grantee or the Company. Upon exercising a non-qualified option, a grantee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise. Upon a subsequent sale or exchange of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a non-qualified option, the grantee will have taxable capital gain or loss, measured by the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the tax basis of the shares of Class A Common Stock (generally, the amount paid for the shares plus the amount treated as ordinary income at the time the option was exercised).

If we comply with applicable reporting requirements and with the restrictions of Section 162(m) of the Code, we will be entitled to a business expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

A grantee who has transferred a non-qualified option to a family member by gift will realize taxable income at the time the non-qualified option is exercised by the family member. The grantee will be subject to withholding of income and employment taxes at that time. The family member’s tax basis in the shares of Class A Common Stock will be the fair market value of the shares of Class A Common Stock on the date the non-qualified option is exercised. The transfer of vested non-qualified options will be treated as a completed gift for gift and estate tax purposes. Once the gift is completed, neither the transferred options nor the shares acquired on exercise of the transferred options will be includable in the grantee’s estate for estate tax purposes.

In the event a grantee transfers a non-qualified option to his or her ex-spouse incident to the grantee’s divorce, neither the grantee nor the ex-spouse will recognize any taxable income at the time of the transfer. In general, a transfer is made “incident to divorce” if the transfer occurs within one year after the marriage ends or if it is related to the end of the marriage (for example, if the transfer is made pursuant to a divorce order or settlement agreement). Upon the subsequent exercise of such non-qualified option by the ex-spouse, the ex-spouse will recognize taxable income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares of Class A Common Stock at the time of exercise. Any distribution to the ex-spouse as a result of the exercise of the option will be subject to employment and income tax withholding at this time.

Stock Appreciation Rights. The grant of a stock appreciation right will not be a taxable event for the grantee or the Company. Upon exercising a stock appreciation right, a grantee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise. If we comply with applicable reporting requirements and with the restrictions of Section 162(m) of the Code, we will be entitled to a business expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

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Restricted Stock. A grantee who is awarded restricted stock will not recognize any taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the year of the award, provided that the shares of Class A Common Stock are subject to restrictions (that is, the shares of restricted stock are nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture). However, the grantee may elect under Section 83(b) of the Code to recognize compensation income in the year of the award in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of the award (less the purchase price, if any), determined without regard to the restrictions. If the grantee does not make such Section 83(b) election, the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date the restrictions lapse (less the purchase price, if any) will be treated as compensation income to the grantee and will be taxable in the year the restrictions lapse and dividends paid while the Class A Common Stock is subject to restrictions will be subject to withholding taxes. If we comply with applicable reporting requirements and with the restrictions of Section 162(m) of the Code, we will be entitled to a business expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units. The grant of a restricted stock unit or deferred stock unit will not be a taxable event for the grantee or the Company. A grantee who is awarded restricted stock units or deferred stock units will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of shares issued, or in the case of a cash-settled award, the amount of the cash payment made, to such grantee at the end of the restriction period or, if later, the payment date. If we comply with applicable reporting requirements and with the restrictions of Section 162(m) of the Code, we will be entitled to a business expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

Dividend Equivalent Rights. Participants who receive dividend equivalent rights will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount distributed to the grantee pursuant to the award. If we comply with applicable reporting requirements and with the restrictions of Section 162(m) of the Code, we will be entitled to a business expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income.

New Plan Benefits

No awards have been granted pursuant to the 2012 Incentive Plan that are contingent upon the approval by our shareholders of the Amendment to the 2012 Incentive Plan. We anticipate that other equity-based awards may be granted in the future in the discretion of the Committee under the 2012 Incentive Plan out of the additional shares of Class A Common Stock to be reserved for issuance in connection with the approval of the Amendment; however, the number of shares of Stock that may be so granted will be based upon various prospective factors, including the nature of services to be rendered by our employees, officers, non-employee directors and contractors, and their potential contributions to our success. Accordingly, the number, type, and grantee(s) of actual future awards cannot be determined at this time.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table summarizes McClatchy’s equity plan information as of December 30, 2018. Pursuant to the provisions of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2012 Incentive Plan, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to outstanding stock appreciation rights (SARs) and restricted stock units (RSUs), the per share exercise price of outstanding SARs, and the total number of shares reserved and available for issuance were adjusted in connection with the one-for-ten reverse stock split that occurred on June 7, 2016. Accordingly, the share totals and exercise prices shown in the table below reflect the post-reverse stock split holdings.

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

Securities Remaining Available for Future Securities to be Issued Weighted Average Issuance under Equity upon Exercise of Exercise Price of Compensation Plans Outstanding Options, Outstanding Options, (excluding securities Warrants and Warrants and Rights reflected in column Rights (#)(1) ($/Share)(3) (a)) (#) Plan Category (a) (b) (c) Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders 2004 Stock Incentive Plan 81,725 $ 34.71 — 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan 363,175 $ 25.46 372,367 Total 444,900 (2) 372,367

(1) Amount includes RSUs and SARs.

(2) Of this total, outstanding SARs awards total 113,300, and the 331,600 balance consists of outstanding RSU awards. The 113,300 SARs outstanding are underwater (that is, their exercise price is greater than the Company’s stock price). No SARs have been issued since 2013. Such SARs have ten-year terms and exercise prices ranging from $24.60 to $40.80.

(3) The weighted average prices relate only to outstanding SARs.

Registration with the SEC

If the Amendment to the 2012 Incentive Plan is approved by our shareholders, we intend to file a Registration

Statement on Form S - 8 relating to the additional shares available under the 2012 Incentive Plan with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act as soon as is practicable after such approval.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2012 INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE 2012 INCENTIVE PLAN.

Item 4. Shareholder Proposal

Kenneth Steiner, 14 Stoner Ave., 2M, Great Neck, NY 11021, who holds no less than 300 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, has submitted the following proposal for consideration at the Annual Virtual Shareholder Meeting. The proposal, along with the supporting statement (the “Shareholder Proposal”), is included below. The Company disclaims any responsibility for the content of this Shareholder Proposal, the text of which, in accordance with rules of the SEC, is printed verbatim from its submission, with only minor formatting changes.

After careful consideration, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote AGAINST the Shareholder Proposal set forth below.

Proposal 4 – Simple Majority Vote

RESOLVED, Shareholders request that our board take each step necessary so that each voting requirement in our charter and bylaws (that is explicit or implicit due to default to state law) that calls for a greater than simple majority vote be eliminated, and replaced by a requirement for a majority of the votes cast for and against applicable proposals, or a simple majority in compliance with applicable laws. If necessary, this means the closest standard to a majority of the votes cast for and against such proposals consistent with applicable laws. This includes taking the steps necessary to adjourn the annual meeting to solicit the votes necessary for approval if the votes for approval are lacking during the annual meeting.

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Adjourn appears 8 - times in the company governing documents. Shareholders are willing to pay a premium for shares of companies that have excellent corporate governance. Supermajority voting requirements have been found to be one of 6 entrenching mechanisms that are negatively related to company performance according to “What Matters in Corporate Governance” by Lucien Bebchuk, Alma Cohen and Allen Ferrell of the Harvard Law School. Supermajority requirements are used to block initiatives supported by most shareowners but opposed by a status quo management.

This proposal topic won from 74% to 88% support at Weyerhaeuser, Alcoa, Waste Management, Goldman Sachs, FirstEnergy, McGraw-Hill and Macy’s. The proponents of these proposals included Ray T. Chevedden and William Steiner. The votes would have been higher than 74% to 88% if all shareholders had equal access to independent proxy voting advice.

Currently a 1%-minority can frustrate the will of our 66%-shareholder majority in an election in which 67% of shares cast ballots. In other words, a 1%-minority have the power to prevent 66% of shareholders from taking important action such as eliminating 67%-voting thresholds in our governing documents. This is especially important since our stock fell from $64 in 2014 to $7 in 2018.

Please vote yes: Simple Majority Vote — Proposal 4

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL

The Board has given careful consideration to the non-binding, advisory shareholder proposal seeking to impose a majority voting standard in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws” and together with the Charter, the “Governance Documents”). As described below, the Board believes that the actions requested by the proponent are not in the best interests of all of our shareholders and unanimously recommends a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

Under the Company’s Governance Documents, nearly all matters voted on by our shareholders already rely on a majority voting standard. There are no provisions in the Company’s Bylaws requiring a supermajority vote. Additionally, there is only one provision in the Company’s Charter that requires a supermajority vote, related to an indemnification rights provision for the directors and officers of the Company. Article Seventh of the Charter requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, voting together as a single class, to amend or repeal the Article Seventh.

The purpose of the supermajority voting standard is not to preclude change but to ensure that certain fundamental changes only occur with a broader shareholder consensus than a majority.

Contrary to the argument made in the Shareholder Proposal, our one and only supermajority voting provision has nothing to do with a 1% minority frustrating the outcome of a vote, something that could be said of any election where the outcome is decided by less than 1% (regardless of whether the election is based on a plurality, a majority, or a supermajority voting standard). The provision is simply about ensuring that there is a broad consensus of support before an amendment to the aforementioned indemnification rights provision is adopted that could impact the Company’s mission and long-term objectives. While the proponents’ supporting statement suggests that our one non- majority voting standard is an impediment to stock price performance, it fails to provide any tangible connection between the non-majority voting provision and the price of our stock. As a result, this statement is demonstrably false and misleading, and in any event does not constitute a basis for depriving shareholders of the benefits of the one supermajority provision we have in place.

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Furthermore, it is important to consider our capital and corporate governance structure. On all matters other than the election and removal of Class A and Class B directors, holders of Class A Common Stock vote together with holders of Class B Common Stock as a single class where each share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder to one-tenth (1/10) of a vote. This voting structure and the supermajority provision in Article Seventh of our Charter were both implemented before our initial public offering, and all of our investors who purchased shares of our Class A Common Stock in our initial public offering and after were aware of our capital and corporate governance structure. Such information is disclosed in detail in our public filings with the SEC and, thus, decisions to purchase our stock are voluntarily made because of, or in spite of, our capital and corporate governance structure.

The Board believes that implementation of the shareholder’s proposal to implement a majority voting standard in the Company’s Governance Documents would adversely impact the Company’s carefully considered corporate governance practices, which have served shareholders well.

FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH ABOVE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “AGAINST” THE PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

General Board Matters

The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Company’s affairs for the benefit of McClatchy’s shareholders. The principal functions of the Board and its Committees are described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our website at www.mcclatchy.com.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Anti-Hedging Policy

The Company has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our officers, directors and employees, as well as a code of ethics for senior officers that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our code of business conduct and ethics prohibits officers, directors and employees from engaging in any hedging transactions involving the Company’s stock or any options to purchase Company stock or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) related to the Company’s stock (i) granted to the employee or director by the registrant as part of the compensation of the employee or director, or (ii) held, directly or indirectly, by the employee or director. Our codes of business conduct and ethics can be found on our website at www.mcclatchy.com. Any waivers of the code of ethics for senior officers or directors will be posted on our website.

Board Independence

The Board has determined that each of the current director nominees, other than Mr. Forman, President and Chief Executive Officer, has no material relationship with the Company and is “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE American listing standards, as currently in effect. Accordingly, the Board has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Barnes, Maloney, K. McClatchy, W. McClatchy, Mitchell, Ostler and Ravindran, and Mmes. Ballantine, Evangelisti, Joshi and Thomas are independent within the meaning of the NYSE American listing standards. In making its independence determination with respect to the directors who are members of the McClatchy family, the Board considered the overall nature of these familial relationships and concluded that these relationships were not material with respect to the independence of the directors who are members of the McClatchy family. Furthermore, the Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Committee on the Board and the Nominating Committee is “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE American listing standards, as currently in effect.

Board Structure and Committee Composition

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our Board has twelve directors. After the Annual Meeting, the Board will decrease the size of the Board to eleven directors. The Board has the following five committees: (1) Audit Committee, (2) Compensation Committee, (3) Committee on the Board, (4) Nominating Committee and (5) Pension and Savings Plans Committee. The membership and function of these committees are described below. Each committee operates under a written charter that has been approved by the Board. These charters are available on our website at www.mcclatchy.com and are also available in print to any shareholder requesting copies.

The Board of Directors met sixteen (16) times during fiscal 2018. No director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and any committee on which such director served (during the period he or she was a member). All directors attended the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, with the exception of Brown Maloney McClatchy. The Board has no formal policy regarding attendance at the Company’s annual meetings of shareholders.

Leadership Structure

Our Board is committed to adopting governance policies and practices that promote the most effective and ethical management of the Company. In that regard, the Board believes that it is important to retain maximum flexibility to determine the Company’s optimal leadership structure and to choose the best qualified person(s) to serve in the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Accordingly, the Company’s By-Laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines grant the Board discretion in combining or separating the positions of Chairman of

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the Board and Chief Executive Officer, as the Board deems appropriate in light of the Company’s prevailing circumstances. Currently, the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company to separate the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

The Board has determined that the designation of Mr. Kevin McClatchy, as an independent, non-executive Chairman is the current optimal leadership structure for the Company because it provides the Board with independent leadership and allows the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to concentrate on the Company’s business operations.

Compensation Committee

Dr. Theodore Mitchell serves as the chairman and Ms. Molly Maloney Evangelisti, Ms. Anjali Joshi and Mr. Clyde Ostler serve as members of the Compensation Committee. As set forth in its charter, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves goals and objectives relevant to Chief Executive Officer compensation and evaluates the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee also determines the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers and recommends to the Board compensation of the non-employee directors, administers McClatchy’s incentive compensation and equity- based plan, provides a description of the processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive and director compensation for inclusion in the Proxy Statement, and annually reviews the Compensation Committee charter and performance.

The Compensation Committee meets in September each year to consider compensation trends and best practices in compensation policies and their applicability to McClatchy. The Compensation Committee generally meets again in December each year to determine the salary and bonus targets for the executive officers for the following fiscal year. The Chief Executive Officer then determines the particular bonus goals for the other executive officers within the targets established by the Compensation Committee. In January, the Compensation Committee meets to determine the bonus award for the prior fiscal year for the Chief Executive Officer and to set the CEO bonus formula for the current fiscal year. In addition, in January the Chief Executive Officer reviews the estimated bonus awards for the other executive officers with the Compensation Committee and with input from the Compensation Committee determines the amount of the bonus paid to the other executive officers for the prior fiscal year based on whether the goals have been attained. The Compensation Committee makes all equity and other long-term incentive grants to executive officers, including the named executive officers (“NEOs”), at its February meeting each year.

For assistance and objective data in determining the compensation of the executive officers, the Compensation Committee engaged Exequity, an independent outside executive compensation consultant, and Pay Governance, a new independent executive compensation consultant hired beginning on July 31, 2018, to analyze general market trends in executive compensation and the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, including the NEOs, compared to competitive information pulled from the Towers Watson Executive Compensation Data Bank Media Survey, a comprehensive survey of the compensation paid by other media companies, as well as compensation reported in the proxy statements of our peers. The Compensation Committee also engaged Pay Governance in 2018 to review the Company’s executive compensation disclosure and discuss best practices for such disclosure, advise the Company on its compensation programs for executives and whether any modifications to the Company’s peer group should be made.

Pay Governance does not determine or recommend the amount or form of executive officer or non-employee director compensation, but instead provides requested data and advice to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee believes that the work of Pay Governance did not raise a conflict of interest and did not impair Pay Governance’s ability to provide independent advice to the Compensation Committee concerning executive compensation matters. In making this determination, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) other services provided to us by Pay Governance; (2) fees paid by the Company as a percentage of Pay Governance’s total revenue; (3) policies or procedures maintained by Pay Governance that are designed to prevent a conflict of interest; (4) any business or personal relationships between Pay Governance consultants involved in the engagement and a member of the Compensation Committee; (5) any Company stock owned by the individual Pay Governance consultants involved in the engagement; and (6) any business or personal relationships between our executive officers and Pay Governance or the individual consultants involved in the engagement.

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Pursuant to a delegation by the Compensation Committee during 2018, the Chief Executive Officer had the authority to grant a limited number of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the 2012 Incentive Plan to non-executive employees. The Compensation Committee determines the total number of RSUs and other awards that the Chief Executive Officer is permitted to grant annually. The grants to such non-executive employees are made at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Compensation Committee is comprised solely of non-employee directors of McClatchy, all of whom are independent pursuant to the NYSE American listing rules. The Compensation Committee held five (5) meetings during fiscal 2018.

Audit Committee

Mr. Leroy Barnes, Jr. serves as the chairman and Ms. Elizabeth Ballantine, Mr. Clyde Ostler and Ms. Maria Thomas serve as members of the Audit Committee. Mr. Barnes serves on the audit committees of the McClatchy Company and Frontier Communications, as well as three investment companies that are part of the Principal Funds, Inc. “fund complex.” The Committee on the Board reviews and makes a recommendation to the Board as to whether service on these audit committees impairs Mr. Barnes’ ability to fulfill his duties as a member of the Audit Committee. The Board has designated Mr. Barnes, Mr. Ostler and Ms. Thomas who qualify as “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE American listing standards, as currently in effect, as “audit committee financial experts” as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee has been established in accordance with

Section 10A(m)(1) and Rule 10A - 3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Among other things, the Audit Committee appoints, evaluates and determines the compensation of McClatchy’s independent auditors; reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit, and the financial statements; reviews McClatchy’s disclosure controls and procedures, internal controls, information security policies, internal audit function, and corporate policies with respect to financial information and (if provided by the Company) earnings guidance, oversees investigations into complaints concerning financial matters; reviews other risks that may have a significant impact on McClatchy’s financial statements; prepares the Audit Committee report for inclusion in the annual proxy statement; and annually reviews the Audit Committee charter and the Committee’s performance. The Audit Committee works closely with management and oversees McClatchy’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from, and receive appropriate funding from McClatchy for outside legal, accounting or other advisers as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties. The Audit Committee regularly meets separately with members of management, the director of internal audit and McClatchy’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee held eleven (11) meetings during fiscal 2018. The report of the Audit Committee is included in this Proxy Statement on page 38.

Committee on the Board

Mr. Kevin S. McClatchy serves as the chairman and Ms. Elizabeth Ballantine, Mr. Leroy Barnes, Jr., and Ms. Molly Maloney Evangelisti serve as members of the Committee on the Board. The Committee on the Board advises the Board of Directors with respect to corporate governance issues and such other matters relating to directors as may be deemed appropriate, including development of corporate governance principles applicable to McClatchy, evaluation of the composition and organization of the Board and its committees, and recommendation of qualifications, expertise and characteristics for potential Board members. The Committee on the Board annually reviews its charter and performance. The Committee on the Board held one (1) meeting during fiscal 2018.

Nominating Committee

Mr. Brown McClatchy Maloney serves as the chairman and Ms. Elizabeth Ballantine and Mr. Kevin McClatchy serve as members of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee conducts searches and evaluates and proposes nominees for election to the Board based on criteria approved by the Board. The Nominating Committee evaluates and recommends the proposal for the Board slate for election by the shareholders and will consider recommendations from shareholders for director candidates, as described below. The Nominating Committee annually reviews its charter and the Committee’s performance. The Nominating Committee held one (1) meeting during fiscal 2018.

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Pension and Savings Plans Committee

Mr. Clyde Ostler serves as the chairman and Mr. Leroy Barnes, Jr. and Mr. William McClatchy serve as members of the Pension and Savings Plans Committee. The Pension and Savings Plans Committee reviews McClatchy’s pension funding policy and objectives, monitors the investment of the assets in McClatchy’s 401(k) and pension plans, and recommends appropriate related action to the Board of Directors. The Pension and Savings Plans Committee annually reviews its charter and the Committee’s performance. The Pension and Savings Plans Committee held three (3) meetings during fiscal 2018.

Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight

The Board has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of the Company’s risks. The Board regularly reviews information regarding the Company’s credit, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. Various committees of the Board also have responsibility for risk management. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on assessing and mitigating financial risk, including internal controls, and receives an annual risk assessment report from the Company’s internal control compliance manager. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation plans and arrangements.

The Committee on the Board and the Nominating Committee assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with Board organization, membership and structure, succession planning and corporate governance. In addition, the Committee on the Board manages risks associated with the independence of the Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.

Consideration of Director Nominees

Shareholder Nominees

Any shareholder nominations proposed for consideration by the Nominating Committee for Board membership should include the nominee’s name and qualifications and should be addressed to:

Corporate Secretary The McClatchy Company 2100 Q Street Sacramento, CA 95816

Director Qualifications

Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Committee on the Board is responsible for reviewing with the Board the appropriate skills and characteristics of Board members, as well as the composition of the Board as a whole. In assessing a candidate, the Nominating Committee will consider skills; diversity; independence; experience in areas such as operations, journalism, finance, digital media and marketing; geography and the general needs of the Board. The Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity; however, the Board and the Nominating Committee believe that it is essential that the Board members represent diversity, such as diversity of gender; race and national origin; education; professional experience; and differences in viewpoints and skills. The Nominating Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria and no particular criterion is necessarily applicable to all nominees. The Nominating Committee believes that the current directors, considered as a group, provide a significant composite mix of diversity that allows the Board to fulfill its responsibilities.

Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors

The Nominating Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for director. In the event vacancies are anticipated or otherwise arise, the Nominating Committee considers various potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating Committee through current Board

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members, professional search firms, shareholders or other persons. These candidates are evaluated at meetings of the Nominating Committee and may be considered at any point during the course of the year. The Nominating Committee will consider properly submitted nominees of shareholders, as discussed above. The nominees standing for election at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders were recommended by the Nominating Committee in early 2019.

Executive Sessions

Executive sessions of non-management directors are held at each regular meeting of the Board. In addition, at least once each year, the independent directors meet in executive session. The executive sessions of the Board are scheduled and chaired by the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kevin McClatchy. Any non-management director may also request that additional executive sessions be scheduled.

Communication with the Board

Individuals may communicate with the Board by addressing correspondence to:

The Board of Directors The McClatchy Company c/o Corporate Secretary 2100 Q Street Sacramento, CA 95816

All communication received will be reviewed and processed by the corporate secretary and communicated to the Board of Directors as appropriate. If you wish to contact only non-management directors, please direct correspondence to the chairperson of the Committee on the Board at the address above.

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

Class A Common Stock

The following table shows information about the beneficial ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock as of March 21, 2019, by each director and nominee for director; McClatchy’s President and Chief Executive Officer; McClatchy’s Chief Financial Officer; McClatchy’s other named executive officer other than the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer; all directors, nominees for director and executive officers of McClatchy as a group; and each person known by McClatchy to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. All shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options, SARs or RSUs that are exercisable or vest within 60 days following the record date are deemed beneficially owned by the person holding those options, SARs or RSUs. Also, each holder of Class B Common Stock is deemed to be the beneficial owner of the same number of shares of Class A Common Stock under the SEC rules, on the basis that he or she has the right, subject to the terms of the shareholders’ agreement described later in this Proxy Statement, to convert Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock. See the section entitled “Agreement Among Class B Shareholders.” For purposes of calculating the percentage of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by each shareholder, the shares of Class A Common Stock deemed to be owned by each shareholder because of his or her ownership of either Class B Common Stock or options to acquire Class A Common Stock are treated as outstanding only for that shareholder. As a result, the column showing the percentage of deemed beneficial ownership of Class A Common Stock does not necessarily reflect the beneficial ownership of Class A Common Stock actually outstanding as of the close of business on the record date.

Deemed Beneficial Ownership of Class A Common Stock(2) Number of Number of Directors and Nominees for Director; Named Executive Officers; Shares Shares Directors and Executive Officers as a Group; Beneficial Owners of More of Class A of Class A Percent of Than 5% of Total Shares of Class Outstanding(1) Common Stock Common Stock Class Kevin McClatchy 24,620 1,410,319 (3)(4) 20.60 % William McClatchy 13,505 1,304,003 (3)(5) 19.32 % Theodore Mitchell 14,620 1,264,618 (3) 18.85 % Molly Maloney Evangelisti 31,007 485,087 8.20 % Craig Forman 66,625 66,625 1.22 % Mark Zieman 23,188 34,863 (6) * Elaine Lintecum 22,506 29,256 (7) * Elizabeth Ballantine 23,343 24,728 * Clyde Ostler 23,000 23,000 * Leroy Barnes, Jr. 22,425 22,425 * Brown McClatchy Maloney 22,355 22,755 * Maria Thomas 14,500 14,500 * Anjali Joshi 9,000 9,000 * Vijay Ravindran (8) 4,500 4,500 * Chatham Asset Management, LLC 1,094,034 (9) N/A 20.03 % Cobas Asset Management, SGIIC, SA 990,790 (10) N/A 18.14 % Bluestone Financial Ltd. 470,000 (11) N/A 8.61 % Royce & Associates, LP 456,432 (12) N/A 8.36 % Bestinver Gestion S.A., SGIIC 308,025 (13) N/A 5.64 % All executive officers and directors as a group (17 persons) 341,968 2,242,457 (14) 30.48 %

* Represents less than 1%.

(1) All addresses are c/o The McClatchy Company, 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, except as follows: (i) Chatham Asset Management, LLC, 26 Main Street, Suite 204, Chatham, New Jersey 10151; (ii) Cobas Asset Management SGIIC SA, Jose Abascal, 45 st. 28003 Madrid, Spain; (iii) Bluestone Financial Ltd., Vanterpool Plaza, 2nd Floor, Wickhams Cay I, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; (iv) Royce & Associates, LLC, 745 Fifth Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10151; and (v) Bestinver Gestion S.A., SGIIC, Madrid, Spain, Calle Juan de Mena, no. 8, 28014.

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(2) Represents all shares of Class A Common Stock plus (i) all shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options that are exercisable or vest within 60 days following the record date and (ii) shares of Class A Common Stock deemed to be owned because of the shareholder’s ownership of Class B Common Stock. Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 5,460,617 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding as of March 21, 2019, for such shareholder or group of shareholders, as applicable.

(3) Includes 1,249,998 shares of Class B Common Stock held under three separate trusts, all of which hold 416,666 shares each. Each of the trusts has different income beneficiaries. Kevin McClatchy, William McClatchy, and Theodore R. Mitchell share joint voting and investment control with respect to these trusts. Kevin McClatchy and William McClatchy disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held in trusts for which they are not beneficiaries.

(4) Includes 44,952 shares of Class B Common Stock held by a trust of which Kevin McClatchy is one of three trustees but not a beneficiary. Kevin McClatchy has joint voting and investment control with the other trustees with respect to this trust. Kevin McClatchy disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(5) Includes 40,500 shares of Class B Common stock held by William McClatchy as custodian for his minor child. William McClatchy has sole voting and investment control with respect to these shares. William McClatchy disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(6) Includes 11,675 shares subject to SARs which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

(7) Includes 6,750 shares subject to SARs which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

(8) Mr. Ravindran will no longer serve as a director after the Annual Meeting.

(9) Based on a Form 4 filed on March 25, 2019 by Chatham Asset Management, LLC. Chatham Asset Management, LLC is the investment manager to Chatham Asset High Yield Master Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company ("Chatham Master Fund"), and other affiliated funds. Anthony Melchiorre is the managing member of the Chatham Asset Management, LLC. As of March 21, 2019, Chatham Master Fund held 539,714 shares of Class A Common Stock of McClatchy and certain other affiliated funds held an aggregate of 554,320 shares of Class A Common Stock of McClatchy.

(10) Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 13, 2019. Cobas Asset Management, SGIIC, SA, has sole voting power with respect to 990,790 shares.

(11) Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed on March 20, 2019. Bluestone Financial Ltd. has sole voting power with respect to 470,000 shares.

(12) Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on January 15, 2019. Royce & Associates, LP has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to 456,432 shares.

(13) Based on a Schedule 13G filed on September 29, 2015. Bestinver Gestion S.A., SGIIC has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to 3,080,257 shares, adjusted to 308,025 shares reflecting the one-for-ten reverse stock split that occurred in June 2016.

(14) Includes those shares subject to SARs indicated in notes (6) and (7).

Class B Common Stock

The following table shows information about the beneficial ownership of shares of Class B Common Stock as of March 21, 2019, if applicable, held by each director and nominee for director; McClatchy’s Chief Executive Officer; McClatchy’s Chief Financial Officer; McClatchy’s most highly compensated executive officer other than the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer; all directors, nominees for director and executive officers of McClatchy as a group; and each person known by McClatchy to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Class B Common Stock. Pursuant to the shareholders’ agreement described below, only current holders of shares of Class B Common Stock of McClatchy; any lineal descendant of Charles K. McClatchy (1858 to 1936); or a trust for the exclusive benefit of, or in which all of the remainder beneficial interests are owned by, one or more lineal descendants of Charles K. McClatchy may hold shares of Class B Common Stock of McClatchy. Accordingly, other than as listed below, no officer or director beneficially owns shares of the Class B Common Stock.

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Number of Shares of Class B Directors and Nominees for Director; Named Executive Officers; Common Stock Directors and Executive Officers as a Group; Beneficially Percent of Beneficial Owners of More Than 5% of Total Shares of Class Outstanding(1) Owned Class Kevin McClatchy 1,294,950 (2)(3) 53.33 % William McClatchy 1,290,498 (2)(4) 53.15 % Theodore Mitchell 1,249,998 (2) 51.48 % Molly Maloney Evangelisti 452,850 18.65 % All executive officers and directors as a group (17 persons) 1,879,049 (5) 77.38 %

(1) All addresses are c/o The McClatchy Company, 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816.

(2) Includes 1,249,998 shares of Class B Common Stock held under three separate trusts, all of which hold 416,666 shares each. Each of the trusts has different income beneficiaries. Kevin McClatchy, William McClatchy, and Theodore R. Mitchell share joint voting and investment control with respect to these trusts.

(3) Includes 44,952 shares of Class B Common Stock held by a trust of which Kevin McClatchy is one of three trustees but not a beneficiary. Kevin McClatchy has joint voting and investment control with respect to this trust. Kevin McClatchy disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(4) Includes 40,500 shares of Class B Common stock held by William McClatchy as custodian for his minor child. William McClatchy has sole voting and investment control with respect to these shares. William McClatchy disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

(5) Includes those shares of Class B Common Stock indicated in notes (2), (3), and (4) above.

Agreement Among Class B Shareholders

The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are parties to an agreement, the intent of which is to preserve control of the Company by the McClatchy family. Under the terms of the agreement, the Class B shareholders have agreed to restrict the transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock to one or more “Permitted Transferees,” subject to certain exceptions. A “Permitted Transferee” is generally any current holder of shares of Class B Common Stock of McClatchy; any lineal descendant of Charles K. McClatchy (1858 to 1936); or a trust for the exclusive benefit of, or in which all of the remainder beneficial interests are owned by, one or more lineal descendants of Charles K. McClatchy.

Generally, Class B shares can be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and then transferred freely (unless following conversion, the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock would constitute less than 25% of the total member of all outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, in which case additional steps must be taken). In the event that a Class B shareholder attempts to transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the agreement, or upon the happening of certain other events enumerated in the agreement as “Option Events,” each of the remaining Class B shareholders has an option to purchase a percentage of the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock proposed to be transferred equal to such remaining Class B shareholder’s ownership percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. If all the shares proposed to be transferred are not purchased by the remaining Class B shareholders, McClatchy has the option of purchasing the remaining shares. The agreement can be terminated by the vote of the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock who are subject to the agreement. The agreement will terminate on September 17, 2047, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms.

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth the annual compensation paid or accrued by McClatchy to or on behalf of our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018.

Fees Non Equity Nonqualified Earned Stock Option Incentive Plan Deferred All Other or Paid in Awards Awards Compensation Compensation Compensation Name Cash ($)(1) ($)(2) ($)(3) ($) Earnings ($) ($) Total ($) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) Elizabeth Ballantine $ 86,000 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 123,170 Leroy Barnes, Jr. $ 135,500 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 172,670 Molly Maloney Evangelisti $ 77,000 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 114,170 Anjali Joshi $ 68,000 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 105,170 Brown McClatchy Maloney $ 76,500 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 113,670 Kevin McClatchy $ 254,500 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 291,670 William McClatchy $ 69,500 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 106,670 Theodore Mitchell $ 86,500 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 123,670 Clyde Ostler $ 132,000 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 169,170 Vijay Ravindran (4) $ 48,750 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 85,920 Maria Thomas (5) $ 111,500 $ 37,170 — — — — $ 148,670

(1) Includes annual retainer, committee chair fees and committee meeting fees.

(2) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair market value of an award of 4,500 shares of Class A Common Stock to each non-employee director on September 27, 2018, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Pursuant to the McClatchy Director Deferral Program, as described below, Messrs. W. McClatchy, Mitchell, K. McClatchy and Ostler, and Ms. Thomas elected to defer their 2018 award until which time they terminate from the Board.

(3) No director received an option award in fiscal year 2018.

(4) Mr. Ravindran joined the Board in January 2018.

(5) In 2018, $20,750 of the cash retainer was issued to Axios Ventures LLC, a fund founded by Ms. Thomas.

Director Compensation Arrangements

We use a combination of cash and stock-based compensation to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our Board. Generally, the Compensation Committee reviews the compensation of our non-employee directors on a regular basis with the last review occurring in September 2018. In determining director compensation, we have considered publicly-available data from companies within our industry, data collected by our Human Resources Department regarding trends in director compensation and competitive data prepared by Pay Governance, our independent outside compensation consultant. We also consider the significant amount of time that our directors devote to the business of the Company.

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For 2018, the Compensation Committee reviewed the current Board and Committee retainer arrangements and determined that they would remain the same as for the prior year. These fees are summarized below:

Board and Committee Retainers for the Fiscal Year Ended December 30, 2018

Type of Compensation Amount Annual Cash Retainer $ 65,000 Annual Equity Target Retainer $ 65,000 Chairman of the Board Annual Retainer $ 175,000 Audit Committee Chair Annual Retainer $ 15,000 Compensation Committee Chair Annual Retainer $ 12,500 Committee on the Board Chair Annual Retainer $ 10,000 Nominating Committee Chair Annual Retainer $ 10,000 Pension and Savings Plans Committee Chair Annual Retainer $ 10,000

In addition to the payments set forth above, McClatchy reimburses non-employee directors for reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with the business and affairs of McClatchy.

Pursuant to the McClatchy Director Deferral Program under the 2012 Incentive Plan, directors may elect to defer receipt of their stock awards until their termination of service.

The Board adopted director stock ownership guidelines in 2012. The Board believes that it is important to align the interests of the non-employee members of the Board with the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. Accordingly, the guidelines require that each non-management director shall own a minimum of 1,500 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. For those directors on the Board as of November 28, 2012, the target date for such ownership was December 31, 2012. For subsequently elected directors, the target date for achieving the desired ownership level is five (5) years from the date that Board service commences. Shares issuable upon vesting of restricted stock or restricted stock units shall count towards achievement of the minimum guideline amount. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, all directors are in compliance with the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table. The following tables set forth the compensation paid to or accrued by McClatchy for the NEOs for each of the last two completed fiscal years. For this purpose, our NEOs include Craig I. Forman, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Elaine Lintecum, our Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and Mark Zieman, our Vice President, Operations.

Summary Compensation Table

Nonqualified Non-Equity Deferred Option Incentive Plan Compensation All Other Salary Bonus Stock Awards Compensation Earnings Compensation Total Name and Principal Position Year ($) ($) Awards ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) (a) (b) (c) (d)(2) (e)(3) (f) (g)(4) (h) (i)(5) (j) Craig I. Forman (1) 2018 $ 980,769 $ 75,000 $ 606,661 $ — $ 1,000,000 $ — $ 215,020 $ 2,877,450 President and 2017 $ 823,846 $ 900,000 $ 552,694 $ — $ — $ — $ 81,880 $ 2,358,420 Chief Executive Officer

Elaine Lintecum 2018 $ 479,841 $ 550,000 $ 148,321 $ — $ 84,678 $ — $ 73,357 $ 1,336,197 Vice President, Finance 2017 $ 475,000 $ — $ 145,256 $ — $ 147,700 $ — $ 4,588 $ 772,544 and Chief Financial Officer

Mark Zieman 2018 $ 678,846 $ 675,000 $ 214,141 $ — $ 137,039 $ — $ 99,600 $ 1,804,626 Vice President, 2017 $ 675,000 $ — $ 205,770 $ — $ 218,781 $ — $ 20,561 $ 1,120,112 Operations

(1) Mr. Forman was appointed to serve as the Company's President and CEO in January 2017. As discussed in more detail below, Mr. Forman’s total actual realized compensation was approximately $2.3 million in 2018 and approximately $1.8 million in 2017. Please see the “CEO Actual Compensation Realized” table immediately below this 2018 Summary Compensation Table.

(2) Amounts shown in column (d) for 2018 reflect (i) $75,000 each for Mr. Forman and Ms. Lintecum for the successful completion of the debt refinance on July 16, 2018, and (ii) for each of Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman, cash retention payments paid pursuant to The McClatchy Company 2017 Senior Executive Retention Plan based on their continued service through each of the applicable vesting dates, January 25, 2018 and July 25, 2018. Amounts shown in column (d) for 2017 for Mr. Forman reflect his bonus under the CEO Bonus Plan for fiscal year 2017 pursuant to the Forman Employment Agreement (defined below).

(3) Amounts shown in column (e) reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for RSUs awarded in 2018 and 2017. Values of stock awards reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using the

assumptions included in footnote 10 to the Company’s audited financial statements contained in its Form 10 - K for the year ended December 30, 2018.

(4) Amounts shown in column (g) reflect the amounts earned under the CEO Short-term Incentive Non-equity Income Plan for Mr. Forman and the MBO Plan for Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman, described in the section entitled “Semi-Annual Cash Bonus” below.

(5) Amounts in column (i) for 2018 include the benefits, received by each NEO, enumerated below.

• Premiums to continue life insurance coverage under the McClatchy Group Executive Life Insurance Plan at a level not otherwise available under McClatchy’s standard life insurance coverage;

• Premiums to provide long-term disability coverage at a level greater than that provided under McClatchy’s standard long-term disability program;

• Company-paid premiums toward the cost of health coverage under McClatchy’s group health insurance plan;

• Company contributions to each NEO’s account under McClatchy’s 401(k) plan, Bonus Recognition Plan, and Benefit Restoration Plan;

• Company contributions to each NEO’s account under McClatchy’s Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, which for 2018 was $98,077 for Mr. Forman, $47,984 for Ms. Lintecum, and $67,885 for Mr. Zieman;

• Pursuant to the Forman Employment Agreement (defined below), Mr. Forman was entitled to receive a monthly housing allowance equal to $5,000 per month; and

• For Ms. Lintecum only, reimbursement of fees related to a vacation cancelled and foregone during the refinance process in July 2018.

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CEO Actual Compensation Realized. The supplemental table below sets forth the 2018 and 2017 compensation for Mr. Forman, our CEO, and is not a substitute for the Summary Compensation Table above. "Total Actual Compensation Realized" reports the actual value realized during the year on equity compensation, including the vesting of restricted stock units granted in prior years. This differs from "Total" compensation as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, which as noted above presents the grant date fair value of the entire grant of all equity awards granted in that year. We believe this supplemental table more accurately reflects the actual value that Mr. Forman receives each year from his equity compensation as compared to the Summary Compensation Table presented above because these equity awards vest over time. We further believe this table provides important context to our shareholders regarding the total actual compensation realized by Mr. Forman each year.

Vesting of Non-Equity Stock Incentive Plan All Other Salary Bonus Awards Compensation Compensation Total Year ($) ($) ($)(1) ($) ($)(2) ($) 2018 $ 980,769 $ 75,000 $ 184,114 $ 1,000,000 $ 82,828 $ 2,322,711 2017 $ 823,846 $ 900,000 $ — $ — $ 81,880 $ 1,805,726

(1) Amounts based on the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the date of vesting. Stock awards granted to Mr. Forman in February 2017 vested in January and March 2018. The January 2018 vesting is the first of two equal tranches which vest in January 2018 and 2019. The March 2018 vesting was the first of three equal tranches which vest in March 2018, 2019 and 2020.

(2) Amounts include compensation realized by Mr. Forman. Primarily, these payments during 2018 or 2017 represent such things as (i) Company- paid premiums for life insurance, long-term disability coverage and health care coverage, (ii) Company contributions to Mr. Forman’s account under McClatchy’s 401(k) plan, and (iii) other monthly housing allowance costs.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2018 Year End. The following table sets forth information concerning the outstanding equity awards held by the NEOs as of December 30, 2018.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2018 Year-End

Equity Equity Equity Incentive Incentive Incentive Plan Awards: Plan Awards: Plan Stock Awards Market Number of Market or Option Awards Awards: Number of Value of Unearned Payout Value Number of Number of Number of Shares or Shares or Shares, Units of Unearned Securities Securities Securities Units of Units of or Other Shares, Units Underlying Underlying Underlying Option Stock Stock That Rights That or Other Unexercised Unexercised Unexercised Exercise Option That Have Have Not Have Not Rights That Options(#) Options(#) Unearned Price Expiration Not Vested($) Vested Have Not Name Exercisable Unexercisable Options(#) ($) Date Vested(#) (9) (#) Vested($) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) Craig I. Forman — — — $ — — 66,666 (1) $ 546,661 — — — — — $ — — 12,562 (2) $ 103,008 — — — — — $ — — 15,380 (4) $ 126,116 — —

Elaine Lintecum — — — $ — — 16,299 (1) $ 133,652 — — — — — $ — — 7,500 (3) $ 61,500 — — — — — $ — — 4,860 (4) $ 39,852 — — — — — $ — — 2,430 (5) $ 19,926 — — 5,250 (6) — — $ 24.60 2/21/2023 — $ — — — 1,000 (7) — — $ 27.60 2/22/2022 — $ — — — 500 (8) — — $ 40.80 2/23/2021 — $ — — —

Mark Zieman — — — $ — — 23,532 (1) $ 192,962 — — — — — $ — — 10,000 (3) $ 82,000 — — — — — $ — — 7,180 (4) $ 58,876 — — — — — $ — — 3,590 (5) $ 29,438 — — 7,125 (6) — — $ 24.60 2/21/2023 — $ — — — 4,000 (7) — — $ 27.60 2/22/2022 — $ — — — 550 (8) — — $ 40.80 2/23/2021 — $ — — —

(1) One-third of the RSUs vests on each of March 1, 2019, March 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021 based on continued service.

(2) One-half of the Sign-On RSUs vested on each of January 24, 2018 and January 24, 2019 based on continued service.

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(3) The Retention RSUs vested in full on January 25, 2019 based on continued service.

(4) One-third of the RSUs vests on each of March 1, 2018, March 1, 2019 and March 1, 2020 based on continued service.

(5) One-third of the RSUs vested on each of March 1, 2017, March 1, 2018 and March 1, 2019 based on continued service.

(6) One-quarter of the SARs vested on each of March 1, 2014, March 1, 2015, March 1, 2016 and March 1, 2017.

(7) One-quarter of the SARs vested on each of March 1, 2013, March 1, 2014, March 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016.

(8) One-quarter of the SARs vested on each of March 1, 2012, March 1, 2013, March 1, 2014 and March 1, 2015.

(9) Market value calculated by multiplying the closing market price of our Class A Common Stock on December 28, 2018 ($8.20 per share) by the number of units of stock. December 28, 2018 was the last trading day of our fiscal year, which ended on December 30, 2018.

Executive Compensation Arrangements

Semi-Annual Non-Equity Incentive.

The Compensation Committee continues to believe non-equity incentives are part of a compensation package to incentivize NEOs to meet our longer-term goals by providing the officers with an ability to reach shorter-term goals over which they have more direct control. Mr. Forman was eligible to receive annual cash incentive compensation under the CEO short-term incentive non-equity income plan. In fiscal year 2018, our NEOs, other than Mr. Forman, were eligible to receive semi-annual cash incentive compensation based on performance over two six-month performance periods for each half of 2018 under our MBO Plan. Awards under the CEO short-term incentive non- equity income plan and the MBO Plan are based on achievement of financial and non-financial performance goals pre-established by the Compensation Committee. For 2018, the Compensation Committee designed a CEO short-term incentive non-equity income plan that allotted up to 150 points towards the achievement of financial and non-financial goals grouped in five categories. Achievement of 100 points would result in a bonus payout of 100% of base salary with the additional 50 points available, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, for a total potential payout of 150% of base salary. For 2018, in addition to the financial and non-financial performance goals for non-CEO NEOs, Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman could also earn additional points for non-operating cash flow (the “NOCF”) objectives. The Compensation Committee approves the format of the goals, which include predetermined personal and/or leadership goals.

For fiscal year 2018, Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman were eligible to receive the full amount of the bonus related to the achievement of financial goals if the actual operating cash flow (“OCF”) met the OCF target, 70% if the actual OCF was 97% or higher than the OCF target, and 50% of the actual OCF was 95% or higher than the OCF target. The Company intends to continue to maintain its semi-annual cash incentive bonus plans based on performance during the first and second half of the year for possible future payouts.

CEO Non-Equity Incentive Plan.

For fiscal year 2018, the Compensation Committee approved the performance-based formula for the 2018 CEO Non-equity Incentive Plan in which 100 points would result in receiving a bonus at target, with an additional 50 points available, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, for a total payout of 150% of the base salary.

The 150 points consisted of five categories of objectives: (i) enhancing overall corporate performance through sophisticated digital measurements and accelerating “One Team” corporate structure, consisting of 30 points; (ii) enhancing employee management via creation of systematic performance review architecture and succession planning, consisting of 30 points; (iii) achieving financial goals, such as achieving the budgeted operating cash flow and accelerating the rationalization of the Company’s capital structure, consisting of 30 points; (iv) maintaining and enhancing journalism quality and accelerating the digital progress of news and information operations, consisting of 30 points; and (v) achieving certain technology development and collaboration goals, consisting of 30 points.

Mr. Forman’s 2018 annual bonus was determined under the 2018 CEO Short-term Incentive Non-equity Income Plan. The Compensation Committee evaluated Mr. Forman’s performance under the 2018 CEO Short-term

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Incentive Non-equity Income Plan and determined that he would receive an annual cash incentive at 100% of the target for fiscal year 2018.

MBO Plan.

The Compensation Committee set incentive bonus targets under the MBO Plan for non-CEO NEOs for two, six-month performance periods in fiscal year 2018. The semi-annual cash incentive was targeted to a pre-determined percentage of the six-month base salary of the participating NEO, which was 60% for Ms. Lintecum and 75% for Mr. Zieman. The Compensation Committee determined these targets based on the recommendation of the CEO and the Compensation Committee’s review of the Data Bank concerning target bonus levels at other media companies within the Data Bank.

Each participating NEO’s semi-annual target bonus was based on a combination of (i) six-month OCF objectives worth a maximum of 25 points, and (ii) strategic initiatives objectives worth up to 50 points, if, any OCF- related points were earned, and (iii) six-month NOCF objectives worth up to 25 points. For this purpose, each of first half and second half operating cash flow was determined after accruing for the semi-annual bonus. Based on the CEO’s and Compensation Committee’s scoring of the OCF, strategic and NOCF goals established for the fiscal year relating to corporate results, business unit results and individual performance, each of Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman was eligible to earn up to 100 points. Each of these criteria was measured for the first half of fiscal year 2018 and the second half of fiscal year 2018. For the first half of fiscal year 2018, both Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman earned some points for partially achieving the OCF target. In addition, Ms. Lintecum earned the full 25 points possible under the NOCF objectives and Mr. Zieman received partial points for the strategic initiatives objectives and partial NOCF points. In the aggregate, Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman earned 37.5 and 33.3 points, respectively, for the first half of fiscal year 2018. For the second half of fiscal year 2018, neither Ms. Lintecum nor Mr. Zieman earned any OCF- related points, but Ms. Lintecum earned 21 points and Mr. Zieman earned 20 points out of the possible 25 NOCF points. The aggregate MBO payout for Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman in the fiscal year 2018 is reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

Frozen Pension Arrangements.

The Company maintains a frozen qualified defined benefit plan, The McClatchy Company Retirement Plan (the “Pension Plan”) and a frozen supplemental pension plan (the “SERP”). The Company also assumed the Knight Ridder, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan (the “KR BRP”) after the Company acquired Knight-Ridder, Inc. (“KR”) for legacy KR employees, including Mr. Zieman.

Prior to freezing the plan in March 2009, each NEO except Mr. Forman participated in the Pension Plan. The Pension Plan is a qualified defined benefit pension plan that was open to all eligible employees of McClatchy and other participating subsidiaries who completed an hours and service requirement to become participants in the Pension Plan. Benefits accrued as a lifetime annuity payable monthly commencing at age 65, the normal retirement age under the Pension Plan. Benefits accrued at a rate of 1.3% of “average monthly earnings” times years of benefits service up to a maximum of 35 such years. For each NEO except Mr. Forman, the number of years of credited service equals their actual years of credited service with McClatchy or its subsidiaries as of March 2009. Accrued benefits become vested after five years of vesting service, or, if earlier and the participant remained an employee at the time, when the participant attains age 65, the normal retirement age for each NEO under the Pension Plan. Each participating NEO was fully vested in his or her benefits under the Pension Plan as of March 2009. “Average monthly earnings” means the average monthly base pay averaged over the five consecutive calendar years that produces the highest average. Compensation earned after March 31, 2009, does not count in the determination of average monthly earnings.

Upon termination of employment, each participating NEO generally may not commence benefits prior to age 55. The Pension Plan provided a subsidized early retirement benefit to any participating NEO with 20 or more years of eligible service who works until age 55, and pursuant to which the NEO would be eligible to receive an unreduced benefit following termination of employment beginning at age 62. Finally, the Pension Plan provides for benefits to be paid in the following annuity forms: a single life annuity, or either a 50% or 100% joint survivor annuity. Lump sum payment is not available, except for certain de minimis accruals.

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The Code limits the maximum benefit that may be paid under the Pension Plan by subjecting annual earnings that can be taken into account in the pension formula to a cap ($275,000 for 2018) and by limiting the amount of benefit that can be paid from the plan (for 2018, an annuity at normal retirement age cannot exceed $220,000).

In order to provide post-retirement income commensurate with years of service to McClatchy and taking into consideration the NEO’s actual income levels, McClatchy’s SERP and, for Mr. Zieman only, the KR BRP provided enhanced pension benefits to our NEOs except Mr. Forman, in addition to the amounts that were permitted to accrue under the Pension Plan. Accordingly, the SERP or KR BRP benefit, as applicable, was determined without regard to the compensation limit applicable to the Pension Plan and without regard to the maximum annuity payout limit applicable to the Pension Plan. For Ms. Lintecum, the SERP provided a benefit accrued at normal retirement age equal to 1.5% of “enhanced average monthly earnings” multiplied by years of Pension Plan benefit service, up to a maximum of 35 such years. “Enhanced average monthly earnings” take into account both base salary and the annual incentive compensation. The monthly average was determined for the three years of Pension Plan participation as of February 4, 2009 that produces the highest monthly average. The overall SERP benefit is offset by the benefit accrued under the Pension Plan. For Mr. Zieman, the KR BRP provided a benefit accrued at normal retirement age based on final average earnings and years of service, offset by Social Security and other offset amounts.

Normal retirement age under the SERP and the KR BRP, as applicable, is age 65 for each participating NEO. Under the SERP, an unreduced benefit was payable to a vested participant who terminates employment within three years of normal retirement age. Accordingly, each participating NEO would be entitled to an unreduced benefit commencing at age 62.

A SERP participant was vested in his or her SERP benefit after five years of benefit service. Accordingly, each of the participating NEOs was fully vested in his or her SERP benefit as of February 2009. The SERP does not provide for payment as a lump sum, but rather provides for benefit in any form provided under the Pension Plan and at the time specified in the participant’s Code Section 409A election.

401(k) Plan.

The Company maintains The McClatchy Company 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which permits employees generally to make annual elective deferrals from salary up the maximum statutory amount, $18,500 for those younger than age 50 and $24,500 for those age 50 or older for 2018. The 401(k) Plan permits the Company to make a matching contribution. For 2018, the maximum matching contribution was up to 2% of salary (disregarding compensation in excess of $275,000, as required by the Code).

Non-Qualified Retirement Compensation.

The Company maintains The McClatchy Company Benefit Restoration Plan (the “Benefit Restoration Plan”) and The McClatchy Company Bonus Recognition Plan (the “Bonus Recognition Plan” and together with the Benefit Restoration Plan, the “Plans”), in which our NEOs participate. In 2018, the Plans provided a 2% matching contribution on salary in excess of the $275,000 compensation limit under the Benefit Restoration Plan and a 2% matching contribution on the participants’ bonus under the Bonus Recognition Plan. No matching contribution is made under either Plan for a year in which the matching the 401(k) Plan is suspended. Participants are vested in the Benefit Restoration Plan and Bonus Recognition Plan (together, the “Plans”) after three years of employment with the Company or upon an earlier “retirement” (as defined in the Plans) or death. All of the NEOs except Mr. Forman are vested in the Plans. Except in the case of termination of employment due to a participant’s death or disability, a participant’s eligible benefits under the Plans will be distributed to vested employees following the close of each year in which benefits are earned without interest. In the case of a termination of employment due to a participant’s death, the full amount of the participant’s account will be paid to the participant’s beneficiary in a single lump sum.

The Company also maintains The McClatchy Company Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (the “Executive Supplemental Plan”), in which our NEOs participate. Under the Executive Supplemental Plan, participants receive annual credits equal to 10% of base salary. Under the Executive Supplemental Plan, full vesting occurs 10 years after first participating in the plan, with no partial vesting until 5 years have elapsed from first becoming a participant. A participant becomes fully vested immediately upon separation from service on account of disability,

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death, retirement on or after age 55 with ten years of service, or involuntary termination by the Company or its affiliates without “cause” (as defined in the Executive Supplemental Plan).

Executive Equity Award Agreements.

Historically, the Company has granted both restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to its eligible employees, including the NEOs, pursuant to The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as it may be amended and restated from time to time) (the “2012 Incentive Plan”).

Pursuant to the 2012 Incentive Plan, if the Company experiences a “change in control”: (i) immediately before the change in control, all outstanding options and SARs will vest, and all outstanding restricted stock, RSUs, and dividend equivalent rights will vest, and all shares of Class A Common Stock and/or cash subject to such awards will be delivered, and (ii) at the Compensation Committee’s discretion, either (a) all options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, and dividend equivalent rights will be terminated and cashed out or redeemed for securities of equivalent value, and/or all options and SARs will become exercisable for a period before the change in control, or (b) the Company may make a provision in writing for the assumption and continuation of such awards. Performance-based awards will vest (i) if less than half of the performance period has lapsed, at target or (ii) if half or more of the performance period has lapsed, at actual if determinable or at target if actual is not determinable.

Pursuant to McClatchy’s form of RSU award agreement for executives, a grantee’s outstanding, unvested RSUs become fully vested upon a “change in control” (as defined in the 2012 Incentive Plan). In addition, a grantee’s outstanding, unvested RSUs will become fully vested upon (i) a termination on account of death or disability, (ii) a termination by the Company without “cause,” (iii) a resignation for “good reason,” or (iv) a termination for any reason if the grantee has accumulated 10 or more continuous years of service and is age 55 or older (as such terms are defined in the 2012 Incentive Plan or the applicable award agreement).

Pursuant to McClatchy’s form of SAR award agreement for executives, a grantee’s outstanding, unvested SARs become fully vested upon a “change in control” (as defined in the 2012 Incentive Plan). In addition, a grantee’s outstanding, unvested SARs (i) will become fully vested if the grantee ceases employment after having accumulated 10 or more continuous years of service (A) on account of death or disability or (B) for any reason when the grantee is age 62 or older, or (ii) will vest with respect to two additional time-based vesting installments if the grantee ceases employment after having accumulated 10 or more continuous years of service for any reason when the grantee is between age 55 and age 62.

Cash L-TIP.

Historically, the Company has granted cash-settled performance-based awards that could be earned based upon the Company’s free cash flow (“FCF”) over a three-year performance period (each such award, a “Cash L-TIP”). If a holder of a Cash L-TIP award terminates employment with the Company on account of (i) “retirement,” (ii) death, or (iii) disability, the holder becomes eligible for a pro-rated payment with respect to the Cash L-TIP award for each year in the performance cycle that the holder remained employed and that the Company met certain FCF budget thresholds. For this purpose, “retirement” means termination of employment if the holder has accumulated 10 or more continuous years of service and is age 55 or older.

Retention Cash Awards.

The Company maintains a 2017 Executive Retention Plan (the “2017 Retention Plan”) and a 2018 Executive Retention Plan (the “2018 Retention Plan”). Pursuant to the 2017 Retention Plan, Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman were entitled to receive a cash payment equal to 50% of his or her 2017 base salary for continuous employment through January 25, 2018 and a cash payment equal to 50% of his or her 2017 base salary for continued service through July 25, 2018 (together, the “2017 Retention Cash Award”). Pursuant to the 2018 Retention Plan, each NEO is eligible to receive one-third (1/3) of his or her applicable cash award ($2,000,000, $733,875, and $1,059,000 in the aggregate, for each Mr. Forman, Ms. Lintecum, and Mr. Zieman, respectively) on each of (i) June 30, 2019, (ii) December 31, 2019, and (iii) June 30, 2020 for continued service through each such date (together, the “2018 Retention Cash Award”).

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To be eligible to receive payment of the 2017 Retention Cash Award for 2018 Retention Cash Award, each NEO must remain employed by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company through the applicable vesting date, but the unpaid portion(s) of the applicable Retention Cash Award will be paid earlier if the NEO’s employment is terminated due to (i) death, (ii) “disability” (as defined in the 2017 Retention Plan, or 2018 Retention Plan, as applicable), or (iii)(A) an involuntary termination without “cause” or resignation for “good reason” (each as defined in the 2017 Retention Plan or 2018 Retention Plan, as applicable), provided the NEO (B) executes, delivers and does not revoke a waiver and release agreement within 45 days of the termination date.

Mr. Forman CEO Employment Agreement.

Effective January 25, 2017, the Company and Mr. Forman entered into an employment agreement (the “Forman Employment Agreement”). The original term of the Forman Employment Agreement was two years unless terminated earlier by the Company or Mr. Forman. Mr. Forman’s annual base salary for fiscal year 2018 was $1,000,000. While under the Forman Employment Agreement that amount could be increased by the Compensation Committee during the term, the Compensation Committee did not change Mr. Forman’s base and short-term incentive potential. Pursuant to the Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman was eligible to receive an annual short-term incentive for the Company’s fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (the “Annual Cash Incentive”) based on performance objectives established by the Committee each such fiscal year. Mr. Forman’s target Annual Cash Incentive amount for each such fiscal year will be 100% of his base salary or such higher amount as designated by the Compensation Committee. For fiscal year 2018, Mr. Forman received an Annual Cash Incentive equal to 100% of the target award of $1,000,000.

Pursuant to the Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman was entitled to participate in any health, welfare and other benefit plans, programs or arrangements offered to him by the Company, subject to certain requirements described in the Forman Employment Agreement. During the term of the Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman was authorized to incur necessary and reasonable travel, entertainment and other business expenses in connection with his duties, and would be reimbursed by the Company for such expenses upon presentation of appropriate documentation. During the term of the Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman received a monthly housing allowance equal to $5,000 per month, payable monthly, subject to required withholding taxes.

If during the term of the Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman’s employment was terminated for any other reason than “cause” or “disability” or for “good reason” (each as defined below), he would have been entitled to (i) his “accrued compensation” (defined below), (ii) a lump sum payment equal to one million dollars ($1 million), and (iii) vesting of his unvested sign-on RSUs and 2017 annual RSU grant. If during the term of the Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman’s employment was terminated (i) for “cause” or without “good reason,” he would have been entitled only to his “accrued compensation” or (ii) on account of death or “disability,” he would have been entitled to (i) his “accrued compensation” and (ii) complete vesting of his sign-on RSUs and 2017 annual RSU grant.

Effective January 25, 2019, the Company and Mr. Forman entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment No. 1”) to the Forman Employment Agreement (as amended by the Amendment No. 1, the “Amended Forman Employment Agreement”). Under the Amended Forman Employment Agreement, the Forman Employment Agreement is subject to automatic renewal for additional two-year terms, commencing as of January 25, 2019, unless either the Company or Mr. Forman gives written notice of the party’s intention not to renew at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of any term. Mr. Forman’s annual base salary remained unchanged to 2018 at $1,000,000, which may be increased by the Compensation Committee during the term. Mr. Forman will be eligible to receive an annual short-term non-equity incentive for the Company’s fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (the “Annual Cash Incentive”) based on performance objectives established by the Committee each such fiscal year. Mr. Forman’s target Annual Cash Incentive amount for each such fiscal year will be 100% of his base salary or such higher amount as designated by the Compensation Committee.

Under the Amended Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman is entitled to participate in any health, welfare and other benefit plans, programs or arrangements offered to him by the Company, subject to certain requirements described in the Amended Forman Employment Agreement. During the term of the Amended Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman is authorized to incur necessary and reasonable travel, entertainment and other business expenses in connection with his duties, and will be reimbursed by the Company for such expenses upon

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presentation of appropriate documentation. During the term of the Amended Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman will also receive a monthly supplemental business reimbursement payment in the amount of $35,000 monthly, subject to required withholding taxes. Prior to any automatic renewal of the term of the Amended Forman Employment Agreement, the Company may reevaluate the amount of the monthly supplemental payment and reset such amount of this supplemental payment, including by increasing, reducing or continuing the monthly amount.

If during the term of the Amended Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman’s employment is terminated (i) for any reason other than “cause” or “disability,” (ii) for “good reason,” (iii) for any reason during the sixty (60) day period beginning on the six (6) month anniversary of a Change in Control (as defined in the Company’s 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time), or (iv) due to the Company’s providing of notice of its intention not to renew the Amended Employment Agreement, then Mr. Forman shall be entitled to receive his “accrued compensation” (defined below) and a lump-sum severance payment from the Company (the “Severance Payment”).

If not in connection with a “change in control,” the Severance Payment shall be (i) one million dollars ($1,000,000) plus (ii) target Annual Cash Incentive in the year of termination. If the termination date is within the ninety (90) days prior to or the twenty-four (24) months following a “change in control,” then the Severance Payment will be (i) two million dollars ($2,000,000) plus (ii) two times target Annual Cash Incentive in the year of termination. If Mr. Forman’s employment is terminated for any reason other than “cause,” then all his unvested equity awards will be fully vested. If Mr. Forman would be entitled to severance payments under any executive severance plan that is adopted by the Company for its senior executives after the date of the Amended Forman Employment Agreement, then he will receive the greater of the benefits provided for.

As a condition to receive the Severance Payment, Mr. Forman will be required to execute and deliver a waiver and release agreement.

If during the term of the Amended Forman Employment Agreement, Mr. Forman’s employment was terminated for “cause,” without “good reason,” or on account of death or “disability,” he is only entitled to his “accrued compensation.”

For purposes of the Forman Employment Agreement and the Amended Forman Employment Agreement:

• “cause” means (i) Mr. Forman’s willful failure to substantially perform his duties, other than a failure resulting from complete or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness or impairment, or (ii) Mr. Forman’s willful act of gross misconduct that is materially injurious to the Company;

• “good reason” means (i) Mr. Forman’s demotion or reduction in his base salary by 10% or more, without his written consent, (ii) the Company’s failure to pay material compensation when due and payable, (iii) a material reduction in his responsibility or authority (including, without limitation, loss of the title or functions of the President and CEO of the Company or its successor), (iv) the Company’s material breach of any other provisions of the Forman Employment Agreement, (v) removal of Mr. Forman from the Company’s Board or failure of Mr. Forman to be re-elected to the Board, or (vi) relocation by more than fifty (50) miles of the Company’s headquarters from Sacramento, California;

• “disability” means Mr. Forman’s inability, at the time notice is given, to perform his duties under the Forman Employment Agreement for a period of not less than six consecutive months as a result of an illness or injury, as determined for purposes of the Company’s long-term disability income insurance; and

• “accrued compensation” means (i) any unpaid base salary owed to Mr. Forman for services rendered to the termination date, (ii) all vested benefits under applicable written plans and programs maintained by the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans or programs, (iii) reimbursement of reasonable business expenses and disbursements in accordance with the Company’s applicable written policy, and (iv) any accrued but unpaid vacation payable in connection with a termination of employment under the Company’s applicable vacation policy.

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Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment and Change in Control

The following table sets forth quantitative information with respect to potential payments to each of the NEOs (or the NEO’s beneficiaries) upon termination in various circumstances as described below or upon a change in control, assuming termination or consummation, as applicable, on December 30, 2018.

Voluntary Not-for- (including For Cause or for Change-in- Name / Type of Compensation Retirement) Disability Death Cause Good Reason Control Craig I. Forman Cash Severance Benefit(1) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,000,000 $ — Retention Cash Award(2) $ — $ 2,000,000 $ 2,000,000 $ — $ 2,000,000 $ — RSUs(3) $ — $ 775,786 $ 775,786 $ — $ 775,786 $ 775,786 SARs(5) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Cash L-TIP Awards(6)(7) $ — $ 116,667 $ 116,667 $ — $ — $ 1,400,006 Deferred Compensation(8) $ — $ 98,077 $ 132,192 $ — $ 98,077 $ — Total $ — $ 2,990,530 $ 3,024,645 $ — $ 3,873,863 $ 2,175,792 Elaine Lintecum Cash Severance Benefit(1) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Retention Cash Award(2) $ — $ 733,875 $ 733,875 $ — $ 733,875 $ — RSUs(3)(4) $ 254,930 $ 254,930 $ 254,930 $ — $ 254,930 $ 254,930 SARs(5) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Cash L-TIP Awards(6)(7) $ 28,526 $ 28,526 $ 28,526 $ — $ 28,526 $ 342,309 Deferred Compensation(8) $ 47,984 $ 47,984 $ 47,984 $ — $ 47,984 $ — Total $ 331,440 $ 1,065,315 $ 1,065,315 $ — $ 1,065,315 $ 597,239 Mark Zieman Cash Severance Benefit(1) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Retention Cash Award(2) $ — $ 1,059,000 $ 1,059,000 $ — $ 1,059,000 $ — RSUs(3)(4) $ 363,276 $ 363,276 $ 363,276 $ — $ 363,276 $ 363,276 SARs(5) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Cash L-TIP Awards(6)(7) $ 41,184 $ 41,184 $ 41,184 $ — $ 41,184 $ 494,212 Deferred Compensation(8) $ 67,885 $ 67,885 $ 67,885 $ — $ 67,885 $ — Total $ 472,345 $ 1,531,345 $ 1,531,345 $ — $ 1,531,345 $ 857,488

(1) For Mr. Forman, value represents the severance he would be entitled to pursuant to the Forman Employment Agreement. Given that the presumed termination date for purposes of this disclosure is December 30, 2018 and the effective date of the Amended Forman Employment Agreement was January 25, 2019, the severance payable pursuant to the Amended Forman Employment Agreement is not reflected above. Only Mr. Forman is party to an employment agreement that entitles him or will entitle him to receive severance payments and continued benefits upon certain terminations of employment, as described above. This table does not include payments and benefits to the extent they are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees generally upon termination of employment, including without limitation payments with respect to accrued but unused vacation.

(2) Value represents the full vesting and payment of each NEO’s 2018 Retention Cash Award. For more information about the 2018 Retention Cash Award, please see Executive Compensation Arrangements above.

(3) Value of the accelerated vesting is calculated by multiplying the closing market price of our Class A Common Stock on December 28, 2018 ($8.20 per share) by the number of units. December 28, 2018 was the last trading day of our fiscal year, which ended on December 30, 2018. For more information about the RSUs, please see Executive Compensation Arrangements above.

(4) Both Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman have accumulated 10 or more continuous years of service and are age 55 or older, and their respective outstanding, unvested RSUs will become fully vested upon their termination of employment, including a voluntary termination.

(5) None of the NEOs held outstanding, unvested SARs as of December 30, 2018.

(6) Other than for the change in control column, value represents partial, pro-rated vesting of each of the NEOs’ 2018 Cash L-TIPs, if any. For the change in control column, as a performance-based award under the 2012 Incentive Plan, upon a change in control where less than half of the performance period was completed through the presumed change in control date, the 2018 Cash L-TIP would vest and become payable upon presumed achievement of target performance. For more information about the Cash L-TIP and the 2012 Incentive Plan, please see Executive Compensation Arrangements above.

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(7) Both Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman have accumulated 10 or more continuous years of service and are age 55 or older and upon termination of employment are eligible for a pro-rated payment with respect to the Cash L-TIP award for each year in the performance cycle that the holder remained employed and that the Company met certain FCF budget thresholds.

(8) For Mr. Forman, value upon death includes the accelerated vesting of his rights under the Plans. As of the presumed termination date, Mr. Forman had not met the service requirement to qualify for “retirement” under the Plans. For more information about the Plans, please see Executive Compensation Arrangements above.

For all NEOs, value includes the partial year contribution and accelerated vesting of the company supplemental contribution to the Executive Supplemental Plan. As of the presumed termination date, Mr. Forman had not met the service requirement to qualify for “retirement” under the Executive Supplemental Plan, but both Ms. Lintecum and Mr. Zieman have accumulated 10 or more continuous years of service and are age 55 or older and upon termination of employment are eligible for retirement vesting under the Executive Supplemental Plan. For more information about the Executive Supplemental Plan, please see Executive Compensation Arrangements above.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the terms of all related party transactions. The Company’s policy for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions states that the Audit Committee must review any related party transaction that meets the minimum threshold for disclosure in the proxy statement under the relevant SEC rules (generally, transactions involving amounts that exceed the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of the Company's total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years in which a related person has a direct or indirect material interest). Related persons include executive officers, directors and director nominees of the Company or their immediate family members or shareholders owning 5% or greater of the Company’s securities. McClatchy currently has no related party transactions.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

During 2018, Leroy Barnes, Jr. served as the chair and Elizabeth Ballantine, Clyde Ostler and Maria Thomas served as members of the Audit Committee. Each of the members of the Audit Committee was independent (as that term is defined under the NYSE American’s current listing standards). The Board of Directors designated Mr. Barnes, Mr. Ostler and Ms. Thomas as the 2018 “audit committee financial experts” as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S- K. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which was most recently reviewed on January 23, 2019. Among other things, the Audit Committee:

• appoints and oversees the work of the independent auditors and reviews and recommends to the Board the discharge, if necessary, of the independent auditors;

• pre-approves (or may subsequently approve where permitted under the rules of the SEC) engagements of the independent auditors to perform audit or non-audit services, including by establishing preapproval policies and procedures;

• reviews the independence of the independent auditors, including setting hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors;

• discusses with McClatchy’s independent auditors the financial statements and audit findings, including discussions with management and McClatchy’s independent auditors regarding any significant changes in the audit plan and difficulties or disputes with management encountered during the audit;

• reviews with management and the independent auditors McClatchy’s annual SEC filings;

• reviews with the independent auditors and the director of internal auditing the adequacy of McClatchy’s internal accounting controls;

• reviews with management and internal audit representatives’ significant findings during the year and management’s response to those findings, any difficulties encountered in the course of the internal audits and any changes in the scope of the internal audit plan;

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• generally discusses earnings press releases as well as financial information and earnings guidance, if any, provided to analysts and ratings agencies;

• establishes and reviews codes of conduct; and

• establishes procedures for receiving, retaining and treating complaints and concerns with regard to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.

In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:

• it has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management;

• it has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T;

• it has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence; and

• it has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence.

In evaluating the independence of the independent auditors, the Audit Committee has considered any non- audit services provided by the independent auditors to the Company and has considered the independent auditor’s tenure as the McClatchy’s auditor. The Audit Committee also has retained the independent auditor as McClatchy’s independent auditor for fiscal year 2018, and the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors have recommended that shareholders ratify the independent auditor’s appointment.

Based on such review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in McClatchy’s Annual Report on Form 10 - K for the year ended December 30, 2018.

Respectfully submitted by the members of the Audit Committee of McClatchy.

LEROY BARNES, JR., Chair ELIZABETH BALLANTINE CLYDE OSTLER MARIA THOMAS

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires McClatchy’s directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of McClatchy’s Class A Common Stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of equity securities of McClatchy. Such officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish McClatchy with all Section 16(a) forms that they file.

SEC regulations require us to identify in this Proxy Statement anyone who filed a required report late during the most recent fiscal year. To our knowledge, based on our review of the forms that we received during the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, no director, executive officer, or beneficial owner of more than 10% of McClatchy’s Class A Common Stock failed to timely file the forms required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except for Craig I. Forman who reported one late transaction on one late report.

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OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors does not know of any business to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than the matters set forth above, but if other matters properly come before the meeting, your proxy holders will vote on the matters in accordance with their best judgment.

SHAREHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

Shareholders sharing an address with another shareholder may receive only one set of proxy materials to that address unless they have provided contrary instructions. Any such shareholder who wishes to receive a separate set of proxy materials now or in the future may write or call the Company to request a separate copy of these materials from:

Investor Relations, 2100 Q Street Sacramento, California 95816, (916) 321 - 1931

Similarly, shareholders sharing an address with another shareholder who have received multiple copies of the Company’s proxy materials may write or call the above address and phone number to request delivery of a single copy of these materials.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Proxy Statement Proposals.

Shareholder proposals to be presented at McClatchy’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received at the Corporate Secretary’s office, 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95816, no later than December 7, 2019, to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting.

Other Shareholder Proposals and Nominations.

Our By-Laws govern the submission of nominations for director or other business proposals that a shareholder wishes to have considered at a meeting of shareholders, but which are not included in the proxy statement for that meeting. Under our By-Laws, nominations for director or other business proposals to be addressed at our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may be made by a shareholder entitled to vote who has delivered a notice to the Corporate Secretary no earlier than the close of business on January 17, 2020 and no later than the close of business on February 16, 2020. The notice must contain the information required by the By-Laws.

These advance notice provisions are in addition to, and separate from, the requirements that a shareholder must meet in order to have a proposal included in the proxy statement under the rules of the SEC. We will seek discretionary authority in our proxy for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to vote on any matter that may be considered at the meeting as to which we do not have notice prior to February 16, 2020.

April 5, 2019 By Order of the Board of Directors

Billie S. McConkey, Corporate Secretary

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Appendix A

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

(AS AMENDED AND RESTATED MARCH 23, 2017 AND FURTHER AMENDED MAY 16, 2019) ______

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. PURPOSE A - 1

2. DEFINITIONS A - 1

3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN A - 5

3.1 Committee. A - 5

3.1.1 Powers and Authorities. A - 5

3.1.2 Composition of the Committee. A - 5

3.1.3 Other Committees. A - 6

3.1.4 Designated Officer. A - 6

3.2 Board. A - 6

3.3 Terms of Awards. A - 6

3.3.1 Committee Authority. A - 6

3.3.2 Forfeiture; Recoupment. A - 7

3.4 No Repricing. A - 7

3.5 Deferral Arrangement. A - 7

3.6 No Liability. A - 8

3.7 Registration; Share Certificates. A - 8

4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN A - 8

4.1 Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards. A - 8

4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock. A - 8

4.3 Share Usage. A - 8

5. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION A - 9

5.1 Effective Date and Amendment Date. A - 9

5.2 Term. A - 9

5.3 Amendment and Termination. A - 9

6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS A - 9

6.1 Eligible Employees. A - 9

6.2 Limitation on Shares of Stock Subject to Awards and Cash Awards. A - 10

6.3 Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem and Substitute Awards. A - 10

7. AWARD AGREEMENT A - 10

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS A - 11

8.1 Option Price. A - 11

8.2 Vesting and Exercisability. A - 11

8.3 Term. A - 11

8.4 Termination of Service. A - 11

8.5 Limitations on Exercise of Option. A - 11

8.6 Method of Exercise. A - 11

8.7 Rights of Holders of Options. A - 12

8.8 Delivery of Stock. A - 12

8.9 Transferability of Options. A - 12

8.10 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. A - 12

8.11 Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. A - 12

9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS A - 12

9.1 Right to Payment and SAR Price. A - 12

9.2 Other Terms. A - 13

9.3 Term. A - 13

9.4 Rights of Holders of SARs. A - 13

9.5 Transferability of SARs. A - 13 10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, AND

DEFERRED STOCK UNITS A - 13

10.1 Grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units. A - 13

10.2 Restrictions. A - 13

10.3 Registration; Restricted Share Certificates. A - 14

10.4 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock. A - 14

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10.5 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units. A - 14

10.5.1 Voting and Dividend Rights. A - 14

10.5.2 Creditor’s Rights. A - 14

10.6 Termination of Service. A - 14 10.7 Purchase of Restricted Stock and Shares of Stock Subject to Restricted Stock Units and

Deferred Stock Units. A - 15

10.8 Delivery of Shares of Stock. A - 15

11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS A - 15

12. FORM OF PAYMENT A - 15

12.1 General Rule. A - 15

12.2 Surrender of Shares of Stock. A - 15

12.3 Cashless Exercise. A - 16

12.4 Other Forms of Payment. A - 16

13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS A - 16

13.1 Dividend Equivalent Rights. A - 16

13.2 Termination of Service. A - 16

14. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS A - 17

14.1 Grant of Performance-Based Awards. A - 17

14.2 Structure of Performance-Based Awards. A - 17

14.3 Earning of Performance-Based Awards. A - 17

14.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance-Based Awards. A - 17

14.5 Performance Conditions. A - 17

14.6 Performance-Based Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees. A - 17

14.6.1 Performance Goals Generally. A - 17

14.6.2 Timing For Establishing Performance Goals. A - 18

14.6.3 Payment of Awards; Other Terms. A - 18

14.6.4 Performance Measures. A - 18

14.6.5 Evaluation of Performance. A - 20

14.6.6 Adjustment of Performance-Based Compensation. A - 20

14.6.7 Committee Discretion. A - 20

14.7 Status of Awards under Code Section 162(m). A - 20

15. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW A - 20

15.1 General. A - 20

15.2 Rule 16b - 3. A - 21

16. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION A - 21

16.1 Changes in Stock. A - 21 16.2 Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a

Change in Control. A - 22

16.3 Change in Control. A - 22

16.4 Adjustments. A - 23

16.5 No Limitations on Company. A - 23

17. GENERAL PROVISIONS A - 23

17.1 Disclaimer of Rights. A - 23

17.2 Nonexclusivity of the Plan. A - 23

17.3 Withholding Taxes. A - 24

17.4 Captions. A - 24

17.5 Construction. A - 25

17.6 Other Provisions. A - 25

17.7 Number and Gender. A - 25

17.8 Severability. A - 25

17.9 Governing Law. A - 25

17.10 Section 409A of the Code. A - 25

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY 2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN (AS AMENDED AND RESTATED MARCH 23, 2017 AND FURTHER AMENDED MAY 16, 2019)

The McClatchy Company sets forth herein the terms of its 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of March 23, 2017 and further amended as of May 16, 2019, as follows:

1. PURPOSE

The Plan is intended to enhance the Company’s and its Affiliates’ ability to recruit, reward, and retain highly qualified officers, directors, and employees to motivate such officers, directors, and employees to serve the Company and its Affiliates and to expend maximum effort to improve the business results and earnings of the Company, by providing to such persons an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in the operations and future success of the Company. To this end, the Plan provides for the grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Performance Shares, other Performance-Based Awards, and cash incentive awards. Any of these Awards may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward attainment of annual or long-term performance goals in accordance with the terms hereof. Options granted under the Plan may be Non-qualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, as provided herein.

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of interpreting the Plan documents (including the Plan and Award Agreements), the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

2.1 “Affiliate” means any company or other entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act, including any Subsidiary.

2.2 “Amendment Date” means, subject to Section 5.1, March 23, 2017, the date on which the amendment and restatement of the Plan was adopted by the Board.

2.3 “Applicable Laws” means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under (a) applicable provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any rules and regulations thereunder, and any other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company or its Affiliates, (b) applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax and other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein, and (c) the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

2.4 “Award” means a grant under the Plan of an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, a Dividend Equivalent Right, a Performance Share, other Performance-Based Award, or cash.

2.5 “Award Agreement” means the agreement between the Company and a Grantee that evidences and sets forth the terms and conditions of an Award.

2.6 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.7 “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in an applicable agreement between a Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate, and in the absence of such agreement, means, with respect to any Grantee and as determined by the Committee, (a) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of duties; (b) conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a criminal offense (other than minor traffic offenses); or (c) material breach of any term of any employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property, or non-competition agreements, if any, between the Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate.

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2.8 “Change in Control” means, subject to Section 17.10, the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the sale, lease, conveyance, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), entity, or group of persons acting in concert; (ii) any “person” or group of persons (other than any member of the McClatchy family or any entity or group controlled by one or more members of the McClatchy family) becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d - 3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; (iii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its controlling entity) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity (or its controlling entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; (iv) a contest for the election or removal of members of the Board that results in the removal from the Board of at least 50% of the incumbent members of the Board; or (v) the occurrence of a

“Rule 13e - 3 transaction” as such term is defined in Rule 13e - 3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

The Board shall have full and final authority, in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control, and any incidental matters relating thereto.

2.9 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto. References in the Plan to any Code Section shall be deemed to include, as applicable, regulations promulgated under such Code Section.

2.10 “Committee” means a committee of, and designated from time to time by resolution of the Board, which shall be constituted as provided in Section 3.1.2 and Section 3.1.3 (or, if no Committee has been so designated, the Board).

2.11 “Company” means The McClatchy Company, a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

2.12 “Covered Employee” means a Grantee who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m)(3).

2.13 “Deferred Stock Unit” means a Restricted Stock Unit, the terms of which provide for delivery of the underlying shares of Stock, cash, or a combination thereof subsequent to the date of vesting, at a time or times consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

2.14 “Designated Officer” means the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or other Company officer designated by the Committee to make certain Awards under the Plan.

2.15 “Determination Date” means the Grant Date or such other date as of which the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock is required to be established for purposes of the Plan.

2.16 “Disability” means the Grantee is unable to perform each of the essential duties of such Grantee’s position by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is potentially permanent in character or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; provided, however, that, with respect to rules regarding the expiration of an Incentive Stock Option following termination of the Grantee’s Service, Disability shall mean the Grantee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

2.17 “Dividend Equivalent Right” means a right, granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 13, to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends or other periodic payments paid or made with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock.

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2.18 “Effective Date” means January 24, 2012, the date on which the Plan was originally adopted by the Board, the Plan having been originally approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 16, 2012.

2.19 “Eligible Grantee” means (a) an employee, officer, or director of the Company or an Affiliate or (b) a consultant or adviser to the Company or an Affiliate (i) who is a natural person, (ii) who is currently providing bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate, and (iii) whose services are not in connection with the Company’s sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s capital stock.

2.20 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.

2.21 “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of a share of Stock for purposes of the Plan, which shall be determined as of any Determination Date as follows:

(a) If on such Determination Date the shares of Stock are listed on a Stock Exchange, or are publicly traded on another established securities market (a “Securities Market”), the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on such Determination Date as reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market (provided that, if there is more than one such Stock Exchange or Securities Market, the Committee shall designate the appropriate Stock Exchange or Securities Market for purposes of the Fair Market Value determination). If there is no such reported closing price on such Determination Date, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on the next preceding day on which any sale of Stock shall have been reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market.

(b) If on such Determination Date the shares of Stock are not listed on a Stock Exchange or publicly traded on a Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the value of the Stock on such Determination Date as determined by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.

2.22 “Grant Date” means, as determined by the Committee, the latest to occur of (a) the date as of which the Committee approves the Award, (b) the date on which the recipient of an Award first becomes eligible to receive an Award under Section 0 hereof, or (c) such subsequent date specified by the Committee in the corporate action approving the Award.

2.23 “Grantee” means a person who receives or holds an Award under the Plan.

2.24 “Incentive Stock Option” means an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Code Section 422.

2.25 “Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.26 “Option” means an option to purchase one or more shares of Stock at a specified Option Price pursuant to Section 0.

2.27 “Option Price” means the exercise price for each share of Stock subject to an Option.

2.28 “Performance-Based Award” means an Award of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Shares, or cash made subject to the achievement of performance goals (as provided in Section 14) over a Performance Period specified by the Committee.

2.29 “Performance-Based Compensation” means compensation under an Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for “qualified performance-based compensation” paid to Covered Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in the Plan shall be construed to mean that an Award which does not satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of and pursuant to

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Code Section 162(m) does not constitute performance-based compensation for other purposes, including the purposes of Code Section 409A.

2.30 “Performance Measures” means measures as specified in Section 14 on which the performance goal or goals under Performance-Based Awards are based and which are approved by the Company’s shareholders pursuant to, and to the extent required by, the Plan in order to qualify such Performance-Based Awards as Performance-Based Compensation.

2.31 “Performance Period” means the period of time, of up to ten (10) years, during which the performance goal or goals under Performance-Based Awards must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to any such Performance-Based Awards.

2.32 “Performance Shares” means a Performance-Based Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, made subject to the achievement of performance goals (as provided in Section 14) over a Performance Period.

2.33 “Plan” means The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.34 “Prior Plan” means The McClatchy Company 2004 Stock Plan, as amended and restated May 13, 2008.

2.35 “Restricted Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

2.36 “Restricted Stock” means shares of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10.

2.37 “Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one (1) share of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Section 10 that may be settled in shares of Stock, cash, or a combination thereof.

2.38 “SAR Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

2.39 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.

2.40 “Service” means service qualifying the individual as an Eligible Grantee of the Company or an Affiliate. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee’s change in position or duties shall not result in interrupted or terminated Service, so long as such Grantee continues to qualify as an Eligible Grantee of the Company or an Affiliate. Subject to the preceding sentence, whether a termination of Service shall have occurred for purposes of the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, which determination shall be final, binding, and conclusive. If an Eligible Grantee’s employment or other service relationship is with an Affiliate and the applicable entity ceases to be an Affiliate, a termination of Service shall be deemed to have occurred when such entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Eligible Grantee transfers his or her employment or other service relationship to the Company or any other Affiliate prior to or as of the date the applicable entity ceases to be an Affiliate.

2.41 “Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, or any security into which shares of Stock may be changed or for which shares of Stock may be exchanged as provided in Section 16.1.

2.42 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Grantee pursuant to Section 9.

2.43 “Stock Exchange” means the New York Stock Exchange or another established national or regional stock exchange.

2.44 “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) or non-corporate entity with respect to which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock, membership interests, or other ownership interests of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the directors, managers, or other voting members of the governing body of such corporation or

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non-corporate entity. In addition, any other entity may be designated by the Committee as a Subsidiary, provided that (a) such entity could be considered as a subsidiary according to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and (b) in the case of an Award of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, such Award would be considered to be granted in respect to “service recipient stock” within the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.

2.45 “Substitute Award” means an Award granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of a business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.

2.46 “Ten Percent Shareholder” means a natural person who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding voting securities of the Company, the Company’s parent (if any) or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.

2.47 “Unrestricted Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.

3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

3.1 Committee.

3.1.1 Powers and Authorities.

The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan as are consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan which the Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. All such actions and determinations shall be made by (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or (b) the unanimous consent of the members of the Committee executed in writing or evidenced by electronic transmission in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board, the Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award, and any Award Agreement, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award, or such Award Agreement.

In the event that the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Board or any determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Committee constituted in accordance with this Section 3.1 if the Board has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Committee.

3.1.2 Composition of the Committee.

The Committee shall be a committee composed of not fewer than two directors of the Company designated by the Board to administer the Plan. Each member of the Committee shall be (a) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b - 3 under the Exchange Act, (b) an “outside director” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m)(4)(C)(i), and (c) for so long as the Stock is listed on a Stock Exchange, an “independent director” in accordance with the rules of the Stock Exchange on which the Stock is listed; provided, that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 3.1.2 or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may be the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof if the Compensation Committee of the Board or such subcommittee satisfies the foregoing requirements.

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3.1.3 Other Committees.

The Board also may appoint one or more committees of the Board, each composed of one or more directors of the Company who need not be a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b - 3 under the Exchange Act or an “outside director” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m)(4)(C)(i), which (a) may administer the Plan with respect to Grantees who are not “executive officers” as defined in Rule 3b - 7 under the Exchange Act or directors of the Company, (b) may grant Awards under the Plan to such Grantees, and (c) may determine all terms of such

Awards, subject to the requirements of Rule 16b - 3 under the Exchange Act, Code Section 162(m), and for so long as the Stock is listed or publicly traded on a Stock Exchange or Securities Market, the rules of the Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

3.1.4 Designated Officer.

The Committee may delegate to a Designated Officer the power and authority to grant Awards under the Plan to non-executive employees who are eligible for Awards under Section 6.1; provided, however, that the Designated Officer shall not grant Awards covering shares of Stock in excess of the aggregate maximum number of shares of Stock specified by the Committee for such purpose at the time of delegation to such officer (or in excess of the number of shares of Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan).

In the event that the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Committee or any determination to be made by the Committee, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Designated Officer in connection with Awards made pursuant to this Section 3.1.4 if the Committee has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Designated Officer. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Committee, the Designated Officer shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award and any Award Agreement made pursuant to this Section 3.1.4, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Designated Officer shall be final, binding and conclusive whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award or such Award Agreement.

3.2 Board.

The Board from time to time may exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.1 and other applicable provisions of the Plan, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws.

3.3 Terms of Awards.

3.3.1 Committee Authority.

Subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to:

(a) designate Grantees;

(b) determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a Grantee;

(c) determine the number of shares of Stock or amount of cash to be subject to an Award;

(d) establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including the Option Price of any Option, the SAR Price of any Stock Appreciation Right, or the purchase price for Restricted Stock), the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or the shares of Stock or cash subject thereto, the treatment of an Award in the event of a Change in Control (subject to applicable agreements), and any terms or conditions that may be necessary to qualify Options as Incentive Stock Options;

(e) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement evidencing an Award;

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(f) subject to the limitation on repricing in Section 3.4, amend, modify, or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award, which authority shall include the authority, in order to effectuate the purposes of the Plan but without amending the Plan, to make Awards or to modify outstanding Awards made to eligible natural persons who are foreign nationals or are natural persons who are employed outside the United States to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification or supplement of the terms of any outstanding Award shall, without the consent of the Grantee thereof, impair the Grantee’s rights under such Award; and

(g) make Substitute Awards.

3.3.2 Forfeiture; Recoupment.

The Committee may reserve the right in an Award Agreement to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a Grantee with respect to an Award thereunder on account of actions taken by, or failed to be taken by, such Grantee in violation or breach of or in conflict with any (a) employment agreement, (b) non-competition agreement, (c) agreement prohibiting solicitation of employees or clients of the Company or any Affiliate, (d) confidentiality obligation with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (e) Company or Affiliate policy or procedure, (f) other agreement or (g) any other obligation of such Grantee to the Company or any Affiliate, as and to the extent specified in such Award Agreement. If the Grantee of an outstanding Award is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate and such Grantee’s Service is terminated for Cause, the Committee may annul such Grantee’s outstanding Award as of the date of the Grantee’s termination of Service for Cause.

Any Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Grantee to the Company (i) to the extent set forth in this Plan or an Award Agreement or (ii) to the extent the Grantee is, or in the future becomes, subject to (x) any Company or Affiliate “clawback” or recoupment policy that is adopted to comply with the requirements of any Applicable Laws, or (y) any Applicable Laws which impose mandatory recoupment, under circumstances set forth in such Applicable Laws.

3.4 No Repricing.

Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Stock, other securities or other property), stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, change in control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Stock or other securities or similar transaction), the Company may not: (a) amend the terms of outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the Option Price or SAR Price of such outstanding Options or SARs; (b) cancel outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for or substitution of Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Price that is less than the Option Price or SAR Price of the original Options or SARs; or (c) cancel outstanding Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Price above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities, in each case, unless such action (i) is subject to and approved by the Company’s shareholders or (ii) would not be deemed to be a repricing under the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

3.5 Deferral Arrangement.

The Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment pursuant to any Award into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or Dividend Equivalent Rights and, in connection therewith, provisions for converting such credits into Deferred Stock Units and for restricting deferrals to comply with hardship distribution rules affecting tax-qualified retirement plans subject to Code Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV). Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A, including, if applicable, with respect to when a “separation from service” occurs as defined under Code Section 409A.

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3.6 No Liability.

No member of the Board or the Committee or a Designated Officer shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, neither the Company, an Affiliate, the Board, the Committee, a Designated Officer, nor any other person acting on behalf of the Company, an Affiliate, the Board, the Committee, or a Designated Officer will be liable to any Grantee or to the estate or beneficiary of any Grantee or to any other holder of an Award under the Plan by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax (including any interest and penalties), asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422 or Code Section 409A or by reason of Code Section 4999, or otherwise asserted with respect to the Award; provided, that this Section 3.6 shall not affect any of the rights or obligations set forth in an applicable agreement between the Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate.

3.7 Registration; Share Certificates.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the ownership of the shares of Stock issued under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, including by book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or the issuance of one or more share certificates.

4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

4.1 Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards.

(a) Subject to such additional shares of Stock as shall be available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 16, (i) as of the Effective Date, the maximum number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to the sum of (A) five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of Stock, plus (B) the number of shares of Stock available for future awards under the Prior Plan as of May 16, 2012, plus (C) the number of shares of Stock related to awards outstanding under the Prior Plan as of May 16, 2012 which thereafter terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares, (ii) as of the Amendment Date, an additional five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of Stock shall be reserved for issuance under the Plan, and (iii) as of May 16, 2019, an additional 750,000 shares of Stock shall be reserved for issuance under the Plan.

(b) The maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options shall be the same as the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1(a).

(c) Shares of Stock to be issued under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued shares, or, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, shares of treasury stock or issued shares that have been reacquired by the Company.

4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock.

In connection with mergers, reorganizations, separations, or other transactions to which Code Section 424(a) applies, the Committee shall have the right to cause the Company to assume awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of another business entity that is a party to such transaction and to grant Substitute Awards under the Plan for such awards. The number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1(a) shall be increased by the number of shares of Stock subject to any such Substitute Awards. Shares available for issuance under a shareholder-approved plan of a business entity that is a party to such transaction (as appropriately adjusted, if necessary, to reflect such transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock otherwise available for issuance under the Plan, subject to applicable rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.

4.3 Share Usage.

(a) Shares of Stock subject to an Award shall be counted as used as of the Grant Date.

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(b) Any shares of Stock that are subject to Awards, including shares of Stock acquired through dividend reinvestment pursuant to Section 10.4, shall be counted against the share issuance limit set forth in Section 4.1(a) as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to an Award.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.3(a) or Section 4.3(b), any shares of Stock subject to Awards under the Plan which thereafter terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares shall be available again for issuance under the Plan.

(d) The number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall not be increased by the number of shares of Stock (i) tendered or withheld or subject to an Award surrendered in connection with the purchase of shares of Stock upon exercise of an Option as provided in Section 12.2, (ii) that were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of a Stock-settled SAR granted under the Plan, (iii) deducted or delivered from payment of an Award in connection with the Company’s tax withholding obligations as provided in Section 17.3, or (iv) purchased by the Company with proceeds from Option exercises.

5. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

5.1 Effective Date and Amendment Date.

The Plan was originally effective as of the Effective Date. Awards granted under the Plan on or after the Effective Date but on or prior to the Amendment Date shall be subject to the Plan as in effect as of the applicable Grant Date. The amendment and restatement of the Plan shall be effective as of the Amendment Date, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s shareholders within one year of the Amendment Date. Upon approval of the amendment and restatement of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company as set forth above, all Awards made under the amendment and restatement of the Plan on or after the Amendment Date shall be fully effective as if the shareholders of the Company had approved the Plan on the Amendment Date. If the shareholders fail to approve the Plan within one (1) year of the Amendment Date, any Awards made under the amendment and restatement of the Plan on or after the Amendment Date shall be null and void and of no effect. Following May 16, 2012, no awards shall be made under the Prior Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares of Stock reserved under the Prior Plan to settle awards, including performance-based awards, which are made under the Prior Plan prior to the Effective Date may be issued and delivered following the Effective Date to settle such awards.

5.2 Term.

The Plan shall terminate automatically on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date and may be terminated on any earlier date as provided in Section 5.3 or Section 16.3. Upon such termination of the Plan, all outstanding Awards shall continue to have full force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the terminated Plan and the applicable Award Agreement (or other documents evidencing such Awards).

5.3 Amendment and Termination.

The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided that, with respect to Awards theretofore granted under the Plan, no amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Grantee, impair the rights or obligations under any such Award. The effectiveness of any amendment to the Plan shall be contingent on approval of such amendment by the Company’s shareholders to the extent provided by the Board or required by Applicable Laws, provided that no amendment shall be made to the no- repricing provisions of Section 3.4, the Option pricing provisions of Section 8.1, or the SAR pricing provisions of Section 9.1 without the approval of the Company’s shareholders.

6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS

6.1 Eligible Employees.

Subject to this Section 6, Awards may be made under the Plan to any Eligible Grantee as the Committee shall determine and designate from time to time. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, with respect to an award of

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Options or SARs to an employee or officer, an entity shall not be considered an Affiliate unless the Company holds a “controlling interest” in the entity within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c) - 2(b)(2)(i), provided that (a) except as specified in clause (b) below, an interest of “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation

Section 1.414(c) - 2(b)(2)(i) and (b) the term Affiliate may be expanded to include an entity in which the Company holds an interest of “at least 20 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation

Section 1.414(c) - 2(b)(2)(i) if a legitimate business reason exists. With respect to Service to be recognized under any Option or SAR awarded to Eligible Grantees whose rights arise on account of an Award in reliance on the preceding sentence, Service shall include Service to such Affiliate if such service would not otherwise count as Service under Section 2.40.

6.2 Limitation on Shares of Stock Subject to Awards and Cash Awards.

During any time when the Company has a class of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

(a) the maximum number of shares of Stock subject to Options or SARs that may be granted under the Plan in a calendar year to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6 is one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares;

(b) the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be granted under the Plan, other than pursuant to Options or SARs, in a calendar year to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6 is one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares; and

(c) the maximum amount that may be paid for a single cash-settled Performance-Based Award for any Performance Period to any person eligible for an Award under Section 6 shall be five million dollars ($5,000,000). The foregoing limit does not prevent additional cash-settled Performance-Based Awards for any intersecting or overlapping Performance Period from being paid to a single eligible person, any such Awards each shall be subject separately to the foregoing limit.

The preceding limitations in Sections 6.2(a) and 6.2(b) are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 16.

6.3 Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem and Substitute Awards.

Subject to Section 3.4, Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, (a) any other Award, (b) any award granted under another plan of the Company, any Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or any Affiliate, or (c) any other right of a Grantee to receive payment from the Company or any Affiliate. Such additional, tandem, and substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award, or for an award granted under another plan of the Company, any Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or any Affiliate, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award or award under such other plan in consideration for the grant of such substitute or exchange Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash payments under other plans of the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding Section 8.1 and Section 9.1, but subject to Section 3.4, the Option Price of an Option or the SAR Price of a SAR that is a Substitute Award may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the original Grant Date; provided that the Option Price or SAR Price is determined in accordance with the principles of Code Section 424 for any Incentive Stock Option and consistent with Code Section 409A for any other Option or SAR.

7. AWARD AGREEMENT

Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be in such form or forms as the Committee shall from time to time determine. Award Agreements employed under the Plan from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Options shall specify whether such Options are intended to be Non-

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qualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, and, in the absence of such specification, such Options shall be deemed to constitute Non-qualified Stock Options.

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

8.1 Option Price.

The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option. Except in the case of Substitute Awards, the Option Price of each Option shall be at least the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date; provided that, in the event that a Grantee is a Ten Percent Shareholder, the Option Price of an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date. In no case shall the Option Price of any Option be less than the par value of a share of Stock.

8.2 Vesting and Exercisability.

Subject to Sections 8.3 and 16.3, each Option granted under the Plan shall become vested and exercisable at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing; provided that no Option shall be granted to Grantees who are entitled to overtime under Applicable Laws that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date.

8.3 Term.

Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such Option, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option; provided, that in the event that the Grantee is a Ten Percent Shareholder, an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from its Grant Date. If on the day preceding the date on which a Grantee’s Options would otherwise terminate, the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock underlying a Grantee’s Options is greater than the Option Price of such Options, the Company shall, prior to the termination of such Options and without any action being taken on the part of the Grantee, consider such Options to have been exercised by the Grantee. The Company shall deduct from the shares of Stock deliverable to the Grantee upon such exercise the number of shares of Stock necessary to satisfy payment of the Option Price and all withholding obligations.

8.4 Termination of Service.

Each Award Agreement with respect to the grant of an Option shall set forth the extent to which the Grantee thereof, if at all, shall have the right to exercise such Option following termination of such Grantee’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

8.5 Limitations on Exercise of Option.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 16 which results in the termination of such Option.

8.6 Method of Exercise.

Subject to the terms of Section 12 and Section 17.3, an Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantee’s delivery to the Company or its designee or agent of notice of exercise on any business day, at the Company’s principal office or the office of such designee or agent, on the form specified by the Committee and in accordance with any additional procedures specified by the Committee. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock with respect to which such Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price of the

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shares of Stock for which such Option is being exercised, plus the amount (if any) of federal and/or other taxes which the Company may, in its judgment, be required to withhold with respect to the exercise of such Option.

8.7 Rights of Holders of Options.

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other person holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a shareholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Option, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Option, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s shareholders) until the shares of Stock subject thereto are fully paid and issued to such Grantee or other person. Except as provided in Section 16, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock subject to an Option for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock.

8.8 Delivery of Stock.

Promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price with respect thereto, such Grantee shall be entitled to receive such evidence of such Grantee’s ownership of the shares of Stock subject to such Option as shall be consistent with Section 3.7.

8.9 Transferability of Options.

During the lifetime of a Grantee of an Option, only such Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such Option. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

8.10 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options.

An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only (a) if the Grantee of such Option is an employee of the Company or any corporate Subsidiary, (b) to the extent specifically provided in the related Award Agreement, and (c) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time such Option is granted) of the shares of Stock with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options held by such Grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and its Affiliates) does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Except to the extent provided in the regulations under this limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.

8.11 Notice of Disqualifying Disposition.

If any Grantee shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances provided in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten (10) days thereof.

9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

9.1 Right to Payment and SAR Price.

A SAR shall confer on the Grantee to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the date of exercise over (b) the per share exercise price of such SAR (the “SAR Price”) as determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement for a SAR shall specify the SAR Price, which shall be no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or part of an Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, in combination with all or any part of any other Award or without regard to any Option or other Award; provided that a SAR that is granted subsequent to the Grant Date of a related Option must have a SAR Price that is no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR.

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9.2 Other Terms.

The Committee shall determine, on the Grant Date or thereafter, the time or times at which, and the circumstances under which, a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future Service requirements), the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Service or upon other conditions, the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Grantees, whether or not a SAR shall be granted in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any and all other terms and conditions of any SAR; provided that no SARs shall be granted to Grantees who are entitled to overtime under Applicable Laws that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date.

9.3 Term.

Each SAR granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights thereunder shall cease, upon the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such SAR or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such SAR. If on the day preceding the date on which a Grantee’s SAR would otherwise terminate, the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock underlying a Grantee’s SAR is greater than the SAR Price, the Company shall, prior to the termination of such SAR and without any action being taken on the part of the Grantee, consider such SAR to have been exercised by the Grantee. The Company shall deduct from the shares of Stock deliverable to the Grantee upon such exercise the number of shares of Stock necessary to satisfy payment of the SAR Price and all withholding obligations.

9.4 Rights of Holders of SARs.

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other person holding or exercising a SAR shall have none of the rights of a shareholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s shareholders) until the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, if any, are issued to such Grantee or other person. Except as provided in Section 16, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock underlying a SAR for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock, if any.

9.5 Transferability of SARs.

During the lifetime of a Grantee of a SAR, only the Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such SAR. No SAR shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS

10.1 Grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units.

Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units may be made for consideration or for no consideration, other than the par value of the shares of Stock, which shall be deemed paid by past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Company or an Affiliate.

10.2 Restrictions.

At the time a grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units is made, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, (a) establish a period of time (a “Restricted Period”) applicable to such Award and (b) prescribe restrictions in addition to or other than the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the satisfaction of

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corporate or individual performance goals, which may be applicable to all or any portion of such Award as provided in Section 14. Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Committee with respect to such Awards.

10.3 Registration; Restricted Share Certificates.

Pursuant to Section 3.7, to the extent that ownership of Restricted Stock is evidenced by a book-entry registration or direct registration (including transaction advices), such registration shall be notated to evidence the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to Section 3.7 and the immediately following sentence, the Company may issue, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, share certificates representing the total number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date of such Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock that either (a) the Secretary of the Company shall hold such share certificates for such Grantee’s benefit until such time as such shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited to the Company or the restrictions applicable thereto lapse and such Grantee shall deliver a stock power to the Company with respect to each share certificate, or (b) such share certificates shall be delivered to such Grantee, provided that such share certificates shall bear legends that comply with Applicable Laws and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and such Award Agreement.

10.4 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock.

Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive any dividends declared or paid with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock must be reinvested in shares of Stock, which may or may not be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, cash dividends declared or paid on shares of Restricted Stock shall not vest or become payable unless and until the shares of Restricted Stock to which the dividends apply become vested and nonforfeitable. All stock distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of stock, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.

10.5 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units.

10.5.1 Voting and Dividend Rights.

Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights as shareholders of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s shareholders). The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units that the holder of such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall be entitled to receive, upon the Company’s payment of a cash dividend on its outstanding shares of Stock, Dividend Equivalent Rights.

10.5.2 Creditor’s Rights.

A holder of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units represent unfunded and unsecured obligations of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.

10.6 Termination of Service.

Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is entered into, but prior to termination of Grantee’s Service, upon

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the termination of such Grantee’s Service, any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto, including any right to vote such Restricted Stock or any right to receive dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights, as applicable, with respect to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units.

10.7 Purchase of Restricted Stock and Shares of Stock Subject to Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units.

The Grantee of an Award of Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, or vested Deferred Stock Units shall be required, to the extent required by Applicable Laws, to purchase such Restricted Stock or the shares of Stock subject to such vested Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units from the Company at a purchase price equal to the greater of (a) the aggregate par value of the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock, such vested Restricted Stock Units, or such Deferred Stock Units or (b) the purchase price, if any, specified in the Award Agreement relating to such Restricted Stock, such vested Restricted Stock Units, or such vested Deferred Stock Units. Such purchase price shall be payable in a form provided in Section 12 or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in consideration for past or future Services rendered to the Company or an Affiliate.

10.8 Delivery of Shares of Stock.

Upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, including but not limited to any delayed delivery period, the restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units settled in shares of Stock shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or a share certificate evidencing ownership of such shares of Stock shall, consistent with Section 3.7, be issued, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee thereof or such Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be. Neither the Grantee, nor the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, shall have any further rights with regard to a Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit once the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit have been delivered in accordance with this Section 10.8.

11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at the par value of a share of Stock or at such other higher purchase price as shall be determined by the Committee) an Award to any Grantee pursuant to which such Grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions (“Unrestricted Stock”) under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold to any Grantee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence in respect of past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Company or an Affiliate or other valid consideration, or in lieu of, or in addition to, any cash compensation due to such Grantee.

12. FORM OF PAYMENT

12.1 General Rule.

Payment of the Option Price for the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for shares of Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, or vested Deferred Stock Units shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Company.

12.2 Surrender of Shares of Stock.

To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, or vested Deferred Stock Units may be made all or in part through the tender or attestation to

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the Company of shares of Stock, which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which such Option Price or purchase price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of such tender or attestation.

12.3 Cashless Exercise.

To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and to the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form acceptable to the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the proceeds of such sale to the Company in payment of such Option Price and any withholding taxes described in Section 17.3.

12.4 Other Forms of Payment.

To the extent the Award Agreement so provides and/or unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, or vested Deferred Stock Units may be made in any other form that is consistent with Applicable Laws, including (a) Service to the Company or any Affiliate and (b) by withholding shares of Stock that would otherwise vest or be issuable in an amount equal to the Option Price or purchase price and the required tax withholding amount.

13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF Dividend Equivalent RIGHTS

13.1 Dividend Equivalent Rights.

A Dividend Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the recipient thereof to receive credits based on cash distributions that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in such Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which such Dividend Equivalent Right relates) if such shares of Stock had been issued to and held by the recipient of such Dividend Equivalent Right as of the record date. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any Grantee; provided, that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Agreement therefor. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation) or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional Dividend Equivalent Rights (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation). Any such reinvestment shall be at the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of such reinvestment. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof, in a single installment or in multiple installments, all as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award (a) may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award or (b) may contain terms and conditions which are different from the terms and conditions of such other Award; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, Dividend Equivalent Rights granted as a component of another Award shall not vest or become payable unless and until the Award to which the Dividend Equivalent Rights correspond become vested and settled.

13.2 Termination of Service.

Unless the Committee otherwise provides in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, a Grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon the Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason.

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14. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS

14.1 Grant of Performance-Based Awards.

Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance-Based Awards in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.

14.2 Structure of Performance-Based Awards.

Each grant of a Performance-Based Award shall have an actual or target number of shares of Stock or initial cash value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are achieved, shall determine the value and/or number of shares of Stock subject to a Performance-Based Award that will be paid out to the Grantee thereof as described in Section 14.6.3.

14.3 Earning of Performance-Based Awards.

Subject to the terms of the Plan, in particular Section 14.6.3, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the Grantee of Performance-Based Awards shall be entitled to receive a payout on the number of shares of Stock and/or cash value earned under the Performance-Based Awards by such Grantee over such Performance Period as determined by the Committee.

14.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance-Based Awards.

Payment of earned Performance-Based Awards shall be made in the manner described in the applicable Award Agreement as determined by the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance-Based Awards in the form of cash or shares of Stock (or a combination thereof) equal to the value of such earned Performance-Based Awards and shall pay the Awards that have been earned at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Committee has determined that the performance goal or goals relating thereto have been achieved; provided that, unless specifically provided in the Award Agreement for such Awards, such payment shall occur no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which such Performance Period ends. Any shares of Stock paid out under such Performance-Based Awards may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of such Performance-Based Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement therefor.

14.5 Performance Conditions.

The right of a Grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Performance-Based Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions. If and to the extent required under Code Section 162(m), any power or authority relating to an Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m) shall be exercised by the Committee and not by the Board.

14.6 Performance-Based Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees.

If and to the extent that the Committee determines that a Performance-Based Award to be granted to a Grantee should constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant, exercise, and/or settlement of such Award shall be contingent upon achievement of pre-established performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 14.6.

14.6.1 Performance Goals Generally.

The performance goals for Performance-Based Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each of such criteria, as specified by the Committee consistent

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with this Section 14.6. Performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m), including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being “substantially uncertain.” The Committee may determine that such Awards shall be granted, exercised, and/or settled upon achievement of any single performance goal or of two (2) or more performance goals. Performance goals may differ for Awards granted to any one Grantee or to different Grantees.

14.6.2 Timing For Establishing Performance Goals.

Performance goals for any Performance-Based Award shall be established not later than the earlier of (a) ninety (90) days after the beginning of any Performance Period applicable to such Award, and (b) the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of any Performance Period applicable to such Award has expired, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for compensation payable to a Covered Employee to constitute Performance- Based Compensation.

14.6.3 Payment of Awards; Other Terms.

Payment of Performance-Based Awards shall be in cash, shares of Stock, other Awards, or a combination thereof, including an Award that is subject to additional Service-based vesting, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce the amount of a payment otherwise to be made in connection with such Awards. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance-Based Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of Service by the Grantee prior to the end of a Performance Period or settlement of such Awards. In the event payment of the Performance-Based Award is made in the form of another Award subject to Service-based vesting, the Committee shall specify the circumstances in which the payment Award will be paid or forfeited in the event of a termination of Service.

14.6.4 Performance Measures.

The performance goals upon which the payment or vesting of a Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation may be conditioned shall be limited to the following Performance Measures, with or without adjustment (including pro forma adjustments):

(a) net earnings or net income; (b) operating earnings; (c) pretax earnings; (d) pre-tax earnings per share; (e) earnings per share; (f) share price, including growth measures and total shareholder return; (g) earnings before interest and taxes; (h) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and/or amortization; (i) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and/or amortization as adjusted to exclude any one or more of the following:

• stock-based compensation expense; • income from discontinued operations; • gain on cancellation of debt; • debt extinguishment and related costs; • restructuring, separation, and/or integration charges and costs; • reorganization and/or recapitalization charges and costs;

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• impairment charges; • merger-related events; • gain or loss related to investments; • sales and use tax settlements; and • gain on non-monetary transactions; (j) sales or revenue growth, targets, or diversification, whether in general or by type of product, service, or customer; (k) gross or operating margins; (l) return measures, including return on assets, capital, investment, equity, sales, or revenue; (m) cash flow, including:

• operating cash flow; • free cash flow, defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization (as adjusted to exclude any one or more of the items that may be excluded pursuant to the Performance Measure specified in clause (h) above) less capital expenditures; • cash flow return on equity; and • cash flow return on investment; (n) productivity ratios; (o) expense targets; (p) market or market segment share or penetration; (q) working capital targets; (r) completion of acquisitions of businesses or companies; (s) completion of divestitures and asset sales; (t) debt repayment targets, and debt/equity ratios; (u) costs, reduction in costs, and cost control measures; (v) funds from operations; (w) employee hiring, retention, growth in population, and diversity; (x) employee or customer satisfaction measurements; (y) execution of contractual arrangements or satisfaction of contractual requirements or milestones; (z) product development achievements; and (u) any combination of the foregoing business criteria. Performance under any of the foregoing Performance Measures (a) may be used to measure the performance of (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries and other Affiliates as a whole, (ii) the Company, any Subsidiary, and/or any other Affiliate or any combination thereof, or (iii) any one or more business units of the Company, any Subsidiary, and/or any other Affiliate, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate and (b) may be compared to the performance of one or more other companies or one or more published or special indices designated or approved by the Committee for such comparison, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. In addition, the

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Committee, in its sole discretion, may select performance under the Performance Measure specified in clause (f) above for comparison to performance under one or more stock market indices designated or approved by the Committee. The Committee also shall have the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Performance-Based Award based on the achievement of performance goals pursuant to the Performance Measures specified in this Section 14.

14.6.5 Evaluation of Performance.

The Committee may provide in any Performance-Based Award that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude any of the following events that occur during a Performance Period: (a) asset write-downs; (b) litigation or claims, judgments or settlements; (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles or other laws or provisions affecting reported results; (d) any reorganization or restructuring events or programs; (e) extraordinary, non-core, non-operating or non-recurring items and items that are either of any unusual nature or of a type that indicates infrequency of occurrence as a separate component of income from continuing operations; (f) acquisitions or divestitures; (g) foreign exchange gains and losses; (h) impact of shares of Stock purchased through share repurchase programs; (i) tax valuation allowance reversals; (j) impairment expense; and (k) environmental expense. To the extent such inclusions or exclusions affect Awards to Covered Employees that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, such inclusions or exclusions shall be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for deductibility.

14.6.6 Adjustment of Performance-Based Compensation.

The Committee shall have the sole discretion to adjust Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance- Based Compensation, either on a formula or discretionary basis, or on any combination thereof, as the Committee determines consistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for deductibility.

14.6.7 Committee Discretion.

In the event that Applicable Laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Measures without obtaining shareholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining shareholder approval, provided that the exercise of such discretion shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m). In addition, in the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Awards that shall not qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and base vesting on Performance Measures other than those set forth in Section 14.6.4.

14.7 Status of Awards under Code Section 162(m).

It is the intent of the Company that Performance-Based Awards under Section 14.6 granted to persons who are designated by the Committee as likely to be Covered Employees shall, if so designated by the Committee, constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m). Accordingly, the terms of Section 14.6, including the definitions of Covered Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Code Section 162(m). If any provision of the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement, or any other agreement relating to any such Performance-Based Award does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m), such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

15. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW

15.1 General.

The Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue any shares of Stock under any Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option or SAR or otherwise, if the offer, sale, or issuance of such shares of Stock would constitute a violation by the Grantee, the Company or an Affiliate, or any other person, of any provision of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or of Applicable Laws, including any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, or qualification of any shares

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of Stock subject to an Award upon any securities exchange or under any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the offering, issuance, sale, or purchase of shares of Stock in connection with any Award, no shares of Stock may be offered, issued, or sold to the Grantee or any other person under such Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option or SAR or otherwise, unless such listing, registration, or qualification shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the exercise of any Option or any SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock or the delivery of any shares of Stock underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to the shares of Stock subject to such Award, the Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue such shares of Stock unless the Committee shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other person exercising such Option or SAR or accepting delivery of such shares may acquire such shares of Stock pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any determination in this connection by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company may register, but shall in no event be obligated to register, any shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or a SAR or the issuance of shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan or any Award to comply with any Applicable Laws. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option or SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock shall not be exercisable until the shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR are registered under the securities laws thereof or are exempt from such registration, the exercise of such Option or SAR under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply shall be deemed conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.

15.2 Rule 16b - 3. During any time when the Company has a class of equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intention of the Company that Awards pursuant to the Plan and the exercise of Options and SARs granted hereunder that would otherwise be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act shall qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b - 3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee does not comply with the requirements of such Rule 16b - 3, such provision or action shall be deemed inoperative with respect to such Awards to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and deemed advisable by the

Committee, and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In the event that such Rule 16b - 3 is revised or replaced, the Committee may exercise its discretion to modify the Plan in any respect necessary or advisable in its judgment to satisfy the requirements of, or to permit the Company to avail itself of the benefits of, the revised exemption or its replacement. 16. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION 16.1 Changes in Stock. If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of shares or kind of capital stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date, the number and kinds of shares of stock for which grants of Options and other Awards may be made under the Plan, including the share limits set forth in Section 4.1 and Section 6.2, shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee. In addition, the number and kind of shares of capital stock for which Awards are outstanding shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee so that the proportionate interest of the Grantee therein immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event. Any such adjustment in outstanding Options or SARs shall not change the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price payable with respect to shares that are subject to the unexercised portion of such outstanding Options or SARs, as applicable, but shall include a corresponding proportionate adjustment in the per share Option Price or SAR Price, as the case may be. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an increase in shares effected without receipt of consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any distribution to the Company’s shareholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (including an extraordinary dividend, but excluding a non- extraordinary dividend, declared and paid by the Company) without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Board or the Committee constituted pursuant to Section 3.1.2 shall, in such manner as the Board or the Committee deems appropriate, adjust (a) the number and kind of shares of capital

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stock subject to outstanding Awards and/or (b) the aggregate and per share Option Price of outstanding Options and the aggregate and per share SAR Price of outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights as required to reflect such distribution.

16.2 Reorganization in Which the Company Is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control.

Subject to Section 16.4, if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a Change in Control, any Award theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Award would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the per share Option Price or SAR Price of any outstanding Option or SAR so that the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price of the shares of Stock remaining subject to the Option or SAR as in effect immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise set forth in writing, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares received by the Grantee as a result of such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. In the event of any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company referred to in this Section 16.2, Performance-Based Awards shall be adjusted (including any adjustment to the Performance Measures applicable to such Awards deemed appropriate by the Committee) so as to apply to the securities that a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Performance-Based Awards would have been entitled to receive immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation.

16.3 Change in Control.

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control:

(a) With the exception of any Performance-Based Award which first shall be subject to the provisions of Section 16.3(c), immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, all outstanding Options and SARs hereunder shall be deemed to have vested and all restrictions and conditions applicable to such Options and SARs shall be deemed to have lapsed, all outstanding shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units shall be deemed to have vested and all restrictions and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units shall be deemed to have lapsed and any Stock subject thereto shall be delivered unless the Committee determines to cash out the Award as described in Section 16.3(b)(i) and any cash payment required thereunder shall be made, and all outstanding Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be deemed to have vested and all restrictions and conditions applicable to such Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be deemed to have lapsed and any Stock subject thereto shall be delivered unless the Committee determines to cash out the Award as described in Section 16.3(b)(i) and any cash payment required thereunder shall be made, and

(b) Either of the following two actions shall be taken by the Committee:

(i) The Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel any outstanding Awards of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and Dividend Equivalent Rights and pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or delivered, to the holder thereof an amount in cash or securities having a value (as determined by the Committee acting in good faith), in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units and Dividend Equivalent Rights (for shares of Stock payable thereunder) equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock and, in the case of Options or SARs, equal to the product of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Option or SAR, multiplied by the amount, if any, by which (x) the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such transaction exceeds (y) the Option Price or SAR Price applicable to such Award. With respect to all outstanding Options and SARs, in addition to the action taken under the preceding sentence, the Committee may further elect, in its sole discretion, to give Grantees scheduled to become vested in Options and SARs upon the Change in Control the opportunity to exercise the Options and SARs prior to the scheduled consummation of the Change in Control contingent on the occurrence of such Change in Control.

(ii) The Company may make provision in writing in connection with such Change in Control for the assumption and continuation of Options and SARs, theretofore granted, or for substitution of such Options and SARs

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for new common stock option and stock appreciation rights relating to the stock of the successor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustment as to the number of shares (disregarding any consideration that is not common stock) and option and stock appreciation right exercise prices.

(c) For Performance-Based Awards, if less than half of the Performance Period has lapsed, immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, such Awards shall be treated as though target performance has been achieved. If at least half of the Performance Period has lapsed, actual performance to date shall be determined as of a date reasonably proximal to the date of consummation of the Change in Control as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and that level of performance thus determined shall be treated as achieved immediately prior to occurrence of the Change in Control. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if, based on the discretion of the Committee, actual performance is not determinable, the Awards shall be treated as though target performance has been achieved. After application of this Section 16.3(c), if any Awards arise from application of this Section 16.3(c), such Awards shall be settled under the applicable provision of Section 16.3(a) and 16.3(b).

16.4 Adjustments.

Adjustments under this Section 16 related to shares of Stock or other securities of the Company shall be made by the Committee, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding, and conclusive. No fractional shares or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share. The Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement at the time of grant, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing at any time thereafter with the consent of the Grantee, for different provisions to apply to an Award in place of those provided in Sections 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3. This Section 16 shall not limit the Committee’s ability to provide for alternative treatment of Awards outstanding under the Plan in the event of a change in control event that is not a Change in Control.

16.5 No Limitations on Company.

The making of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets (including all or any part of the business or assets of any Subsidiary or other Affiliate) or engage in any other transaction or activity.

17. GENERAL PROVISIONS

17.1 Disclaimer of Rights.

No provision in the Plan or in any Award or Award Agreement shall be construed (a) to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the employ or Service of the Company or an Affiliate, (b) to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Company or an Affiliate either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any natural person or entity at any time, or (c) to terminate any employment or other relationship between any natural person or entity and the Company or an Affiliate. In addition, notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee thereof, so long as such Grantee continues to provide Service. The obligation of the Company to pay any benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts provided herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan and Awards shall in no way be interpreted to require the Company to transfer any amounts to a third party trustee or otherwise hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.

17.2 Nonexclusivity of the Plan.

Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board or the Committee to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes

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of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or particular individuals) as the Board or the Committee, in its discretion, determines desirable.

17.3 Withholding Taxes.

(a) The Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind due to a Grantee any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or upon the issuance of any shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option or pursuant to any other Award. At the time of such vesting, lapse, or exercise, the Grantee shall pay to the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Company or such Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation; provided that if there is a same-day sale of shares of Stock subject to an Award, the Grantee shall pay such withholding obligation on the day on which such same-day sale is completed. Subject to the prior approval of the Company or an Affiliate, which may be withheld by the Company or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such withholding obligation, in whole or in part, (a) by paying cash, (b) by causing the Company or such Affiliate to withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Grantee or (c) by delivering to the Company or such Affiliate shares of Stock already owned by the Grantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company or an Affiliate may, in its sole discretion, elect to satisfy all of a Grantee’s withholding obligation by withholding shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Grantee, with or without the Grantee’s consent. The shares of Stock so withheld or delivered shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligation. The Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock used to satisfy such withholding obligation shall be determined by the Company or such Affiliate as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section 17.3 may satisfy such Grantee’s withholding obligation only with shares of Stock that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting, or other similar requirements.

(b) The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be withheld from any Award to satisfy any federal, state, or local tax withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, or lapse of restrictions applicable to any Award or payment of shares of Stock pursuant to such Award, as applicable, may not exceed such number of shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required by the Company or the applicable Affiliate to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state, or local taxing authority with respect to such exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions, or payment of shares of Stock; provided, however, for so long as Accounting Standards

Update 2016 - 09 or a similar rule remains in effect, the Board or the Committee has full discretion to choose, or to allow a Grantee to elect, to withhold a number of shares of Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value that is greater than the applicable minimum required statutory withholding obligation (but such withholding may in no event be in excess of the maximum required statutory withholding amount(s) in such Grantee’s relevant tax jurisdictions).

(c) Notwithstanding Section 2.21 or this Section 17.3, for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to this Section 17.3, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Committee in good faith using any reasonable method as it deems appropriate, to be applied consistently with respect to Grantees; provided, further, that the Committee shall determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock for tax withholding obligations due in connection with sales, by or on behalf of a Grantee, of such shares of Stock subject to an Award to pay the Option Price, SAR Price, and/or any tax withholding obligation on the same date on which such shares may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement (including broker-assisted cashless exercises of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, as described in Section 12.3, and sell- to-cover transactions) in any manner consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, including but not limited to using the sale price of such shares on such date (or if sales of such shares are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such shares on such date) as the Fair Market Value of such shares, so long as such Grantee has provided the Company, or its designee or agent, with advance written notice of such sale.

17.4 Captions.

The use of captions in the Plan or any Award Agreement is for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of the Plan or such Award Agreement.

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17.5 Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in the Plan to “including” shall mean “including without limitation.”

17.6 Other Provisions.

Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

17.7 Number and Gender.

With respect to words used in the Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form and the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, as the context requires.

17.8 Severability.

If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

17.9 Governing Law.

The validity and construction of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

17.10 Section 409A of the Code.

(a) The Company intends to comply with Code Section 409A, or an exemption to Code Section 409A, with regard to Awards hereunder that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Code Section 409A. To the extent that the Company determines that a Grantee would be subject to the additional twenty percent (20%) tax imposed on certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans pursuant to Code Section 409A as a result of any provision of any Award granted under the Plan, such provision shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to avoid application of such additional tax. The nature of any such amendment shall be determined by the Committee.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Code Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6)-month period immediately following the Grantee’s “separation from service” within the meaning under Code Section 409A will instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six (6)-month anniversary of the Grantee’s Separation from Service (or the Grantee’s death, if earlier).

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, in the case of an Award that is characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, and pursuant to which settlement and delivery of the cash or shares of Stock subject to the Award is triggered based on a Change in Control, in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred for purposes of such settlement and delivery of cash or shares of Stock if the transaction is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control of” the Company or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company as determined under Treasury Regulations section

1.409A - 3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). If an Award characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A is not settled and delivered on account of the provision of the preceding sentence, the settlement and delivery shall occur on the next succeeding settlement and delivery triggering event that is a permissible triggering event under Code Section 409A. No provision of this paragraph shall in any way affect the determination of a Change in Control for purposes of vesting in an Award that is characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A.

* * *

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To record adoption of the amendment to the Plan by the Board as of March 20, 2019, and approval of the amendment by the shareholders on May 16, 2019, the Company has caused its authorized officer to execute the Plan.

THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY

By: Name: Title:

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K

 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended: December 30, 2018 or  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 1-9824

The McClatchy Company (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 52-2080478 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

916-321-1844 Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share NYSE American LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  No Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  No Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  Non-accelerated filer  Smaller reporting company  Emerging growth company  If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  No Based on the closing price of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock on the NYSE American LLC on June 29, 2018, the last business day of the registrant’s second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $69.7 million. For purposes of the foregoing calculation only, as required by Form 10-K, the Registrant has included in the shares owned by affiliates, the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of officers and directors of the Registrant and members of their families, and such inclusion shall not be construed as an admission that any such person is an affiliate for any purpose. Shares outstanding as of March 1, 2019:

Class A Common Stock 5,408,396 Class B Common Stock 2,428,191

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year end of December 30, 2018, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item 1. Business 2

Item 1A. Risk Factors 10

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 10

Item 2. Properties 10

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 10

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 10

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of

Equity Securities 11

Item 6. Selected Financial Data 11

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 12

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 23

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 24

Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 63

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 63

Item 9B. Other Information 63

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 64

Item 11. Executive Compensation 64

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder

Matters 64

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 64

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 64

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 65

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary 68

SIGNATURES 69

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements:

This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements relating to our future financial performance, business, strategies and operations. These statements are based upon our current expectations and knowledge of factors impacting our business and are generally preceded by, followed by or are a part of sentences that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. For all of those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks, trends and uncertainties.

These risks and uncertainties include:

• significant competition in the market for news and advertising; • general economic and business conditions; • changes in technology, services and standards, and changes in consumer behavior; • ability to grow and manage our digital businesses; • our ability to successfully execute cost-control measures, including selling excess assets; • any changes to our business and operations that may result in goodwill and masthead impairment charges; • any harm to our reputation, business and results of operations resulting from data security breaches and other threats and disruptions; • financial risk arising from our consolidated debt; • restrictions to our business due to covenants in our bond indenture and revolving credit agreement; • our ability to repay our existing indebtedness and meet our other obligations; • potential increase in contributions to our qualified defined benefit pension plan in the next several years; • fluctuating price of newsprint or disruptions in newsprint supply chain; • any labor unrest; • unsuccessful returns from our venture investments; • accelerated decline in print circulation volume; • our reliance on third party vendors; • developments in the laws and regulations to which we are subject resulting in increased costs and lower advertising revenues; and • adverse results from litigation or governmental investigations.

Although the forward-looking statements in this report reflect the good faith judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by them. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to announce publicly revisions we make to these forward-looking statements to reflect the effect of events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report. All written and oral forward-looking statements made subsequent to the date of this report and attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this section.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

The McClatchy Company (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) provides strong, independent local journalism to 30 communities with operations in 14 states, as well as selected national news coverage through our Washington D.C. based bureau. We also provide a full suite of digital marketing services, both through our local sales teams based in the communities we serve, as well as through excelerate®, our national digital marketing agency. We consider our journalism to be in the public interest and strive to be essential to our audiences and advertisers through a wide array of storytelling formats. We are a publisher of well-respected brands such as the , The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, , The (Raleigh) News & Observer, and the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram. Incorporated in

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Delaware, we are headquartered in Sacramento, California, and our Class A Common Stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol MNI.

The cornerstone of our business is providing content, either editorial or through advertising that will inform, educate, entertain and enhance the everyday lives of people with ties to the communities in which we operate. Our media companies and our digital media agency, excelerate®, distribute content, including video products, through our owned and operated websites and mobile applications, third-party search and ad exchanges, social media platforms, electronic editions of our daily newspapers (“e-editions”) as well as our printed daily newspapers. We also print selected niche publications and community newspapers, as well as offer other print and digital direct marketing services. Our media companies range from large daily newspapers and news websites serving metropolitan areas to non-daily newspapers with news websites and online platforms serving small communities. We had 66.4 million average monthly unique visitors to our online platforms and 3.9 billion page views of our digital products for the full year ended December 30, 2018. Our local websites, e-editions and mobile applications in each of our markets provide us fully developed but rapidly evolving channels to extend our journalism and advertising products to our audience in each market. In 2018, we continued to expand our full-service digital agency, excelerate®, which provides digital marketing tools designed to customize digital marketing plans for our customers. For the year ended December 30, 2018, we had an average aggregate paid daily print circulation of 1.1 million and Sunday print circulation of 1.7 million.

Our business is roughly divided between those media companies operated west of the Mississippi River and those that are east of it, but includes four operating regions: the West, Central, Carolinas and East regions. For the year ended December 30, 2018, no single media company represented more than 12.0% of our total revenues.

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, consisted of a 52-week period and fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, consisted of a 53-week period.

Strategy

Our mission is to deliver strong, independent journalism and information. To accomplish this goal, we are committed to a three-pronged strategy to grow our businesses and total revenues as a leading local media company:

• First, to maintain our position as the leading local media company in each of our markets by providing independent journalism and advertising information essential to our communities on digital platforms and in our printed newspapers; and to grow these audiences for the benefit of our advertisers and our communities;

• Second, to grow digital advertising and audience revenues as we transition to a digitally focused, digitally driven media company. This strategy includes being a leader of local digital businesses in each of our markets, growing our digital subscriptions and digital audiences in general by providing compelling websites, e-editions of the printed newspaper, mobile applications, e-mail products, mobile services, video products and other electronic media; and

• Third, to extend these franchises by supplementing the reach of the digital and printed newspaper and other digital businesses with direct marketing, niche publications and events and direct mail products so advertisers can capture both mass and targeted audiences with one-stop shopping.

To assist us with these strategies, we continually improve existing digital products and develop new ones, reengineer our operations to reduce legacy costs and strengthen areas driving performance in news, audience, advertising and digital growth. As a result of our efforts, we saw a 14.8% growth in total digital-only revenues in 2018, which includes digital only advertising and audience revenues. We continued our focus on driving results in direct marketing and audience revenues, while continuing to drive operating expenses down.

Business Initiatives

Our local media companies continue to undergo tremendous structural and cyclical change. To strengthen our position as a leading local media company in the markets we serve and implement our strategies, we are focused on the following five major business initiatives:

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Increasing and Broadening Total Revenues

Revenue initiatives over the last couple of years have included aligning ourselves for digital growth by revamping and centralizing certain departments and focusing on digital marketing; digital audience growth through new audiences and digital subscribers; organizing our technology groups to help us better serve our customers; growing our video market share and developing innovation teams that help us implement additional customer-focused approaches to running our businesses. In 2018, we continued to expand our full-service digital agency, excelerate®, which provides customized digital marketing plans for our customers. We also continued to expand our video efforts to improve storytelling and generate additional advertising revenues.

Our strategy has been to focus on growing revenue sources that include digital and direct marketing advertising, audience and other non-traditional revenues. Management expects newspaper print advertising to continue to be a smaller share of total revenues in the future, due in part to expected strong growth in digital-only advertising revenues and certain areas of direct marketing advertising, and more stable performance in audience revenues. However, we continue to look for opportunities to expand our advertiser base, including advertisers outside of our markets using our excelerate® agency services.

Currently, advertising revenues represent a majority of our total revenues. Advertising revenues were 51.6% and 55.2% of total revenues in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our sales force is responsible for delivering to advertisers a broad array of advertising products, including digital marketing solutions, and print and direct marketing solutions. Our advertisers range from large national retail chains to regional automobile dealerships and grocers to small local businesses and even individuals.

Increasingly, our emphasis has been on growing the breadth of products offered to advertisers, particularly our digital marketing products, while expanding our relationships with current advertisers and growing new accounts. For 2018, total digital and direct marketing advertising revenues combined represented 62.6% of total advertising revenues compared to 55.1% in 2017. Our digital products are discussed in more detail below.

Audience revenues were 42.1% and 40.2% of consolidated total revenues in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our subscription packages have helped to drive growth in digital audience revenues. Audience revenues have been a more stable revenue source than advertising as we have leveraged technology to increase the number of digital products we offer and better understand our digital audience. As a result, digital only audience revenues grew 34.8% in 2018, while the number of digital subscribers grew by 52,600 as of December 30, 2018, up 51.1% from the end of 2017. See Broadening Our Audience in Our Local Markets below for a greater description of our efforts in digital audience growth.

Expanding Our Digital Business

We continue to be a leader among local media providers in digital advertising revenues. In 2018, 43.3% of advertising revenues came from digital products compared to 34.7% in 2017. In 2018, 84.2% of our digital advertising revenues came from digital-only advertisements (where the online buy was not bundled with a print buy) compared to 77.2% in 2017. Digital-only advertising revenues grew 13.5%, to $151.7 million in 2018 from $133.7 million in 2017. We believe this independent advertising revenue stream positions us well for the future of our digital business. During 2018, total digital advertising revenues increased 4.1% compared to a decrease of 0.6% in 2017. Total digital advertising revenues grew at a lower growth rate than digital-only advertising primarily due to a decline in print advertising that is associated with bundled print/digital products and because of our continued focus on growing our digital-only advertising in 2018.

Our media companies’ websites and mobile applications, e-mail products, video and mobile services and other electronic media enable us to engage our readers with real-time news and information that matters to them. As discussed below in Maintaining Our Commitment to Public Service Journalism, our storytelling capability is not only contributing to our growth in digital subscribers, but also to our digital advertising revenue growth. During 2018, our websites attracted an average of approximately 66.4 million unique visitors per month. Although this figure is down 6.7%, compared to 2017, this decline reflects both the changing elements of news coverage (i.e., Hurricane Irma, a significant news event sparking an extraordinary growth in unique visitors coming to our sites in late 2017 versus no similar event in late 2018), and our focus on enforcing stricter pay walls in 2018, which resulted in strong growth in digital subscriptions as discussed above. We had 3.9 billion page views of our digital products for both the full years of 2018 and 2017. In addition, our average mobile traffic accounted for 65.8% of all digital traffic we received on a monthly basis in 2018 compared to 61.3% in 2017.

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We, along with Co., Inc., Hearst, and Tribune Publishing Company (formerly tronc, Inc.), own Nucleus Marketing Solutions, LLC (“Nucleus”). This marketing solutions provider connects national advertisers with the top 30 U.S. local publishers’ highly engaged audiences across existing and emerging digital platforms. We believe Nucleus has improved our reach with national advertisers and will continue to do so in 2019 and beyond.

We continue to pursue new digital products and offerings. In 2018, we continued to expand our concept of comprehensive digital marketing solutions for local businesses via our digital marketing agency called excelerate®. We also continued to expand the footprint of excelerate® to markets beyond those served by our media companies. Offering advertisers integrated packages including website customization, search engine marketing and optimization, social media presence and marketing services, and other multi-platform advertising opportunities, excelerate® helps businesses improve the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

In 2018, we continued to expand our advertising efforts on third-party advertising exchanges. Our real-time, programmatic buying and selling of digital advertising inventory – often targeting very specific audiences at very specific times – grew 10.2% in 2018 compared to 2017. Our growth continues to be strengthened by our participation in the Local Media Consortium (“LMC”) and its more than 84 member companies representing more than 2,600 daily newspapers, broadcast and online-only local media outlets. The LMC’s mission is to provide economic benefit to its members by negotiating partnerships that deliver cost savings or new revenue opportunities. In addition, LMC offers a private advertising exchange of high-quality advertising inventory from member publishers providing advertisers with access to more than 19 billion ad impressions monthly.

Video revenue increased 47.5% in 2018 compared to 2017, due to our focus on the use of video in our digital products to enhance the content that we bring to readers and viewers, and also to compete for a growing advertising stream. During 2018, more than 493 million video views were recorded across our digital platforms, including those on social media platforms and distribution partners, up nearly 35% from 366 million video views in 2017.

All of our markets offer audience subscription packages for digital content. The packages include a combined digital and print subscription or a digital-only subscription. Digital-only subscriptions grew to approximately 155,500, an increase of 51.1% at the end of 2018 compared to 102,900 subscriptions at the end of 2017. We have not only increased the number of our digital-only subscriptions, but we have grown ways in which those subscribers are acquired. For instance, some of our growth is driven by a new sports-only subscription product branded as SportsPass™, which was launched in 11 of our markets during 2018. It was first introduced in our Miami market, just before the start of the NFL preseason. Since then we have expanded it to the other ten markets. In addition, in May 2018, we partnered with Google to offer a way for readers to purchase a subscription to each of our digital brands. Consumers are able to link our subscription account with their Google accounts, which allows for a better user experience. We continue to improve our technology to know our customers better, to identify areas of interest that allows us to target and retarget potential subscribers and to provide new products to all subscribers.

Maintaining Our Commitment to Public Service Journalism

We believe that independent journalism in the public interest is critical to our democracy. It is also the underpinning of our success as a business.

We are committed to producing best-in-class journalism and local content in every community we serve. Each of our newsrooms is expected to improve annually; whether measured by growth in readership, loyalty of readers, our own assessments of journalistic strengths, or recognition by peers and others. And each of our newsrooms is expected to serve our core public service mission – holding leaders and institutions accountable and making our communities better places in which to live.

During the digital transition that has reshaped the industry over the past decade, we have moved quickly to expand our digital reach and deliver news to readers where they want it and when they want it. Our company-wide “Newsroom Reinvention” initiative places an intense focus on what our readers want and need from us in a fast-changing news landscape. We continue to produce ground-breaking accountability journalism – from the Miami Herald’s investigation of a billionaire sex abuser who received a sweetheart deal, to The Fresno Bee’s deep exploration of a controversial congressman, to dogged reporting on failures that lead to a fatal bridge collapse in Florida, to a tragic tourist boat accident in Missouri, and the Star-Telegram’s investigation of hundreds of sex abuse allegations in fundamental Baptist churches. Meanwhile, our Washington, D.C. bureau continues to work closely with our local newsrooms while being a significant source of news on the national stage.

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Our heritage of public service journalism is the foundation of our business, and the work of our journalists received significant recognition in 2018. Journalists from the Miami Herald were finalists for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting for their in-depth report on abuses in the juvenile justice system in Florida. Journalists at The Kansas City Star were finalists for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in the public service category for their expose on secrecy in state government. We have been honored with 54 Pulitzer Prize wins and our impressive streak of being a Pulitzer winner or finalist every year for more than a decade.

Our video journalists continued to produce ambitious stories around breaking news, projects and series that have gained industry recognition. A podcast series on Rae Carruth, who spent more than 18 years in prison for the killing of his girlfriend while he played for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, was named Best Podcast of 2018 by Sports Illustrated. Our industry-leading approach to drone journalism has seen more than 50 pilots trained, licensed and routinely flying for daily news coverage across our company, including The Sacramento Bee’s haunting aerials from the devastating Camp Fire in California.

These are just a few of the hundreds of examples of our powerful journalism published across the company. We intend to build on our legacy in the years ahead, propelled by the success of our ongoing digital transformation. For instance, the digital replica edition of each of our daily newspapers includes stories from our 30 newsrooms and other journalistic organizations that on many days more than doubles the news that could be found in the daily newspaper delivered to subscribers’ doorsteps. This additional content, known as “Extra Extra” and “SportsXtra,” has been well received by readers of our digital products.

Broadening Our Audience in Our Local Markets

Each of our media companies has the largest print circulation of any news media source serving its respective community, and, coupled with its local website and other digital platforms in each community, reaches a broad audience in each market. We believe that our broad reach in each market is of primary importance in attracting advertising, which is currently an important source of revenues. Our digital audience continues to be strong. Our digital audience comes from traffic on our websites, social media and other digital platforms. During 2018, average monthly unique visitors to our digital sites declined 6.7% compared to 2017. As discussed above, this decline reflects both the changing elements of news coverage (i.e., Hurricane Irma, a significant news event sparking an extraordinary growth in unique visitors coming to our sites in late 2017 versus no similar event in late 2018), and our focus on enforcing stricter pay walls in 2018, which resulted in strong growth in digital subscriptions as discussed above. In 2018, our monthly mobile traffic was up 0.2% as compared to 2017 and accounted for 65.8% of all monthly digital traffic we received. Additionally, 493 million video views were recorded across our digital platforms, including those on social media platforms and distribution partners, up nearly 35% from 2017. We work hard to appeal to our mobile audience. We have invested in new digital publishing systems to better serve these mobile readers, and we continually update all of our news websites to be responsive to changes in technology, such as to automatically resize to optimize the viewing experience on the user’s screen, whether it is on a smartphone, a tablet or desktop.

Our news and information follow readers continuously. To start their day, we reach our readers who can check out our latest headlines and stories on their mobile phones or with the morning newspaper. Our news websites, updated frequently throughout the day, are available to readers via their desktop computers and optimized for all of their different mobile devices.

Daily newspapers paid circulation volumes for 2018 were down 11.1% compared to 2017. The declines in daily circulation reflect the fragmentation of audiences faced by all media companies, including our own digital-only subscriptions, as available media outlets proliferate, and readership trends change. Our Sunday circulation volumes were down 9.8% in 2018 compared to 2017. We also reach audiences through our direct marketing products. In 2018, we distributed approximately 626,000 Sunday Select packages per week, which are packages of preprinted advertisements generally delivered on Sunday to non-newspaper subscribers who have interest in circulars. We also distribute thousands of e-mail messages each day, including editorial and advertising content, as well as other alerts to subscribers and non-subscribers in our markets which supplement the reach of our print and digital subscriptions.

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To remain the leading local media company for the communities we serve and a must-buy for advertisers, we are focused on maintaining a broad reach of print and digital audiences in each of our markets. We will continue to refine and strengthen our print platform, but our growth increasingly comes from our digital products and the beneficial impact those products have on the total audience we deliver for our advertisers. Focusing on Cost Efficiencies While Investing for the Future

While continuing to maintain our core business in news, advertising and audience revenues and digital media, we pay particular attention to cost efficiencies. Our cost initiatives in 2018 were focused on continuing to reduce legacy costs from our traditional print business, and we have realized significant savings from these efforts, primarily in postage, newsroom and advertising regionalization/consolidation, distribution and outsourced printing costs. In 2018, we achieved reductions in costs to help protect our profitability in a period of declining print advertising. Compensation, newsprint, supplements and printing expenses and other operating expenses, declined $41.2 million in 2018 compared to 2017. This decline was net of investments made in 2018 intended to generate future savings or that were necessary to invest in revenue generating strategies and technology. The ongoing structural and cyclical changes in our markets demand that we respond by reengineering our operations, as needed, to achieve an efficient and sustainable cost structure. Over the past several years, we have substantially lowered our cost structure by reducing our workforce, optimizing technology and maximizing printing, distribution and content efficiencies. In 2018, in order to ensure a more collaborative enterprise, we began the process of regionalizing certain areas of our operations, including newsrooms and advertising departments. We had previously regionalized our publisher and editorial leadership functions and those transitions continued into 2018. We have previously centralized certain functional areas, like audience operations, revenue accounting and other functions. We will continue to outsource, regionalize and consolidate operations to achieve a more streamlined and efficient cost structure. For instance, in early 2019 we announced a more centralized structure for advertising operations that will be rolled out during the following year. These changes will result in cost savings in future years, while giving our operating executives, in our Eastern and Western operating segments (see discussion of segments below in “Other Operational Information”) and in each market, the ability to focus more of their time on our growing digital and direct marketing media businesses. As of December 30, 2018, we have outsourced the printing operations at 22 of our 30 media companies and announced that in early 2019, we would outsource an additional newspaper in the Northwest. With this accomplished, we now have 23 of our 30 newspapers being printed by centers outside of their markets. These newspapers are printed through arrangements with nearby newspapers owned by us or third-party companies. In markets where we continue to operate our own printing presses we in-source the printing of nearby newspapers for other companies. This allows us to maximize the use of our existing press capacity and generate additional revenues. Five markets (Charlotte, Columbia, Kansas City, Miami and Sacramento) have become hubs for in-sourced printing in their areas. Other Operational Information Historically, each of our media companies was largely autonomous in its local advertising and editorial operations in order to meet the needs of the particular community it served. However, we continue to regionalize or centralize certain operations across our local markets to strengthen our local media companies’ ability to collaborate and increase their performance in news, audience, advertising and digital growth. We have two operating segments that are aggregated into a single reportable segment. Each operating segment consists primarily of a group of local media companies with similar economic characteristics, products, customers and distribution methods. Both operating segments report to one segment manager. One of our operating segments (“Western Segment”) consists of our media operations in the West and Central regions, while the other operating segment (“Eastern Segment”) consists of media operations in the Carolinas and East regions. Regional publishers or local publishers/general managers of the media companies make day-to-day decisions and report to the segment manager, who is responsible for implementing the operating and financial plans at each operation within the respective operating segment. The corporate managers, including executive officers, set the basic business, accounting, financial and reporting policies. Our media companies also work together to consolidate functions and share resources regionally and across operating segments that lend themselves to such efficiencies, such as certain regional or national sales efforts, certain editorial functions, accounting functions, digital publishing systems and products, information technology functions and others. These efforts are often coordinated through the senior executives and corporate personnel.

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Our business is somewhat seasonal, with peak revenues and profits generally occurring in the fourth quarter of each year, reflecting the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The other quarters, when holidays are not as prevalent, are historically the slower quarters for revenues and operating profits. The following table summarizes our media companies, their digital platforms, newspaper circulation and total unique visitors:

Total Circulation (1) Media Company Website Location UV (2) Daily Sunday Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com Miami, FL 10,523,000 78,786 122,944 The Kansas City Star www.kansascity.com Kansas City, MO 4,912,000 98,046 137,517 Star-Telegram www.star-telegram.com Fort Worth, TX 4,161,000 181,289 169,300 The Charlotte Observer www.charlotteobserver.com Charlotte, NC 4,078,000 75,329 108,372 The Sacramento Bee www.sacbee.com Sacramento, CA 4,042,000 103,283 205,946 The News & Observer www.newsobserver.com Raleigh, NC 3,732,000 77,043 100,286 The State www.thestate.com Columbia, SC 3,084,000 41,650 91,929 www.elnuevoherald.com Miami, FL 3,133,000 23,948 31,960 Lexington Herald-Leader www.kentucky.com Lexington, KY 2,231,000 46,268 70,370 www.thenewstribune.com Tacoma, WA 1,782,000 36,187 84,424 www.kansas.com Wichita, KS 1,722,000 35,642 80,139 The Fresno Bee www.fresnobee.com Fresno, CA 1,694,000 55,713 92,982 McClatchy DC Bureau www.mcclatchydc.com 1,519,000 N/A N/A www.idahostatesman.com Boise, ID 1,497,000 31,894 56,312 www.modbee.com Modesto, CA 1,332,000 33,426 58,175 Belleville News-Democrat www.bnd.com Belleville, IL 978,000 19,333 49,503 The Tribune www.sanluisobispo.com San Luis Obispo, CA 882,000 17,079 27,520 The Telegraph www.macon.com Macon, GA 806,000 19,169 23,716 www.islandpacket.com Hilton Head, SC 766,000 15,436 16,528 www.heraldonline.com Rock Hill, SC 762,000 9,672 12,100 Tri-City Herald www.tri-cityherald.com Kennewick, WA 762,000 18,255 29,487 www.brandenton.com Bradenton, FL 695,000 17,825 22,311 Ledger-Enquirer www.ledger-enquirer.com Columbus, GA 595,000 14,573 17,355 www.sunherald.com Biloxi, MS 590,000 20,833 30,016 www.thesunnews.com Myrtle Beach, SC 578,000 21,144 27,167 www.centredaily.com State College, PA 577,000 11,399 14,415 www.bellinghamherald.com Bellingham, WA 563,000 10,124 13,214 www.theolympian.com Olympia, WA 516,000 12,314 27,685 Merced Sun-Star www.mercedsunstar.com Merced, CA 481,000 9,993 — The Herald-Sun www.heraldsun.com Durham, NC 371,000 8,177 8,613 www.beaufortgazette.com Beaufort, SC (3) N/A 4,738 5,068 59,364,000 1,148,568 1,735,354 (1) Circulation figures are reported as of the end of our fiscal year 2018 and are not meant to reflect Alliance for Audited Media (“AAM”) reported figures. (2) Total monthly unique visitors for December 2018 according to Adobe Analytics. (3) The Beaufort Gazette unique visitor activity is included in The Island Packet activity.

Other Operations

On September 13, 2018, we sold our remaining 3.0% ownership interest in CareerBuilder, LLC (“CareerBuilder”) and received gross proceeds of $5.3 million. During 2018, we also received other distributions totaling approximately $2.8 million from CareerBuilder. In July 2017, we sold a majority of our interest in CareerBuilder, which reduced our ownership interest from 15.0% to approximately 3.0%.

We own 49.5% of the voting stock and 70.6% of the nonvoting stock of The Seattle Times Company. The Seattle Times Company owns The Seattle Times newspaper, weekly newspapers in the Puget Sound area and daily newspapers located in Walla Walla and Yakima, Washington, and their related websites and mobile applications. In addition, three of our wholly-owned subsidiaries own a combined 27.0% interest in Ponderay Newsprint Company (“Ponderay”), a general partnership that owns and operates a newsprint mill in the state of Washington. We also own a 25.0% interest in Nucleus, a marketing solutions provider as described above.

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Raw Materials

During 2018, we consumed approximately 50,700 metric tons of newsprint for all of our operations compared to 67,000 metric tons in 2017. The decrease in tons consumed was primarily due to changes in our print products at numerous media companies, as well as lower print advertising sales and print circulation volumes. During 2018, our consumed newsprint was purchased through a third-party intermediary, of which approximately 12,700 metric tons of those purchases were newsprint from Ponderay. Our earnings are somewhat sensitive to changes in newsprint prices, albeit substantially less sensitive as our digital business continues to grow. In 2018 and 2017, newsprint expense accounted for 4.0% and 4.4%, respectively, of total operating expenses, excluding impairments and other asset write-downs. Competition

Our newspapers, direct marketing programs, websites and mobile content compete for advertising revenues and readers’ time with television, radio, other media websites, social network sites and mobile applications, direct mail companies, free shoppers, suburban neighborhood and national newspapers and other publications, and billboard companies, among others. In some of our markets, our newspapers also compete with other newspapers published in nearby cities and towns. Competition for advertising is generally based upon digital and print readership levels and demographics, advertising rates, internet usage and advertiser results, while competition for circulation and readership (digital and print) is generally based upon the content, journalistic quality, service, competing news sources and the price of the newspaper or digital service.

Our media companies’ internet sites are generally a leading local website in each of our major daily markets. We have continued to shift advertising to digital advertising to stay current with reader trends. Our media companies are also the largest print circulation of any news media source in each of their respective markets. However, our media companies have experienced difficulty maintaining print circulation levels because of a number of factors. These include increased competition from other publications and other forms of media technologies, including the internet and other new media formats that are often free for users; and a proliferation of news outlets that fragments audiences. We face greater competition, particularly in the areas of employment, automotive and real estate advertising, from online competitors.

To address the structural shift to digital media, we reengineered our operations to strengthen areas driving performance in news, audience, advertising and digital growth. Our newsrooms also provide editorial content on a wide variety of platforms and formats from our daily newspaper to leading local websites; on social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter; on smartphones and on e-readers; on websites and blogs; in niche online publications and in e-mail newsletters; and mobile applications. Upgrades are continually made to our mobile applications and websites.

Employees — Labor

As of December 30, 2018, we had approximately 3,500 full and part-time employees (equating to approximately 3,300 full-time equivalent employees), of whom approximately 5.0% were represented by unions. Most of our union-represented employees are currently working under labor agreements with expiration dates through 2020. We have unions at 5 of our 30 media companies.

While our media companies have not had a strike for decades, and we do not currently anticipate a strike occurring, we cannot preclude the possibility that a strike may occur at one or more of our media companies when future negotiations take place. We believe that in the event of a strike we would be able to continue to publish and deliver to subscribers, a capability that is critical to retaining revenues from advertising and audience, although there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to publish in the event of a strike.

Compliance with Environmental Laws

We use appropriate waste disposal techniques for hazardous materials. To the best of our knowledge, as of December 30, 2018, we have complied with all applicable environmental certifications with various state environmental agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency related to existing underground storage tanks. We do not believe that we currently have any significant environmental issues and, in 2018 and 2017, had no significant expenses or capital expenditures related to environmental control facilities.

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Available Information

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are made available, free of charge, on our website at www.mcclatchy.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file or furnish them with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this Item.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our corporate headquarters are located at 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California. At December 30, 2018, we had newspaper production facilities in 8 markets in 7 states. Our facilities vary in size and in total occupy about 4.1 million square feet. Approximately 2.7 million of the total square footage is leased from others, while we own the properties for the remaining square footage. We own substantially all of our production equipment, although certain office equipment is leased.

We maintain our properties in good condition and believe that our current facilities are adequate to meet the present needs of our media companies.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Part II, Item 8, Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Since September 12, 2017, our Class A Common Stock has been listed on the NYSE American under the symbol MNI. Prior to that time, our Class A Common Stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the same symbol. A small amount of Class A Common Stock is also traded on other exchanges. Our Class B Common Stock is not publicly traded. As of March 1, 2019, there were approximately 3,255 and 15 record holders of our Class A and Class B Common Stock, respectively. We believe that the total number of holders of our Class A Common Stock is much higher since many shares are held in street name.

Dividends:

In 2009, we suspended our quarterly dividend; therefore, we have not paid any cash dividends since the first quarter of 2009. Under the indenture for the 2026 Notes, dividends are allowed if the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) is less than 5.25 to 1.00 and we have sufficient amounts under our restricted payments basket (as determined pursuant to the indenture), or if we use other available exceptions provided for under the indenture. However, the payment and amount of future dividends remain within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon our future earnings, financial condition, and other factors considered relevant by the Board of Directors.

Equity Securities:

During the year ended December 30, 2018, we did not repurchase any equity securities and we did not sell any equity securities of the Company that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this Item.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Reference is made to Part I, Item 1 “Forward-Looking Statements.” Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this section are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and are based upon judgments concerning various factors that are beyond the Company’s control. Consequently, and because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, the actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. In addition, the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand our results of operations and financial condition. MD&A should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (“Notes”) as of and for each of the two years ended December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview We operate 30 media companies in 14 states, providing each of its communities with high-quality news and advertising services in a wide array of digital and print formats. We are a publisher of well-respected brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, The Charlotte Observer, The (Raleigh) News & Observer, and the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram. We are headquartered in Sacramento, California, and our Class A Common Stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol MNI.

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal year ended December 30, 2018 consisted of a 52-week period. Fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of a 53-week period.

The following table reflects our sources of revenues as a percentage of total revenues for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 Revenues: Advertising 51.6 % 55.2 % Audience 42.1 % 40.2 % Other 6.3 % 4.6 % Total revenues 100.0 % 100.0 %

Our primary sources of revenues are digital and print advertising and audience subscriptions. All categories (retail, national and classified) of advertising discussed below include both digital and print advertising. Retail advertising revenues (from retail clients) include advertising delivered digitally and/or advertising carried as a part of newspapers (run of press (“ROP”) advertising), advertising inserts placed in newspapers (“preprint advertising”). Audience revenues include either digital-only subscriptions, or bundled subscriptions, which include both digital and print. Our print newspapers are delivered by large distributors and independent contractors. Other revenues include, among others, commercial printing and distribution revenues.

See “Results of Operations” section below for a discussion of our revenue performance and contribution by category for 2018 and 2017.

Recent Developments Debt Repurchases, Redemptions and Refinancing

On July 16, 2018, we closed on the previously announced offering of $310.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2026 Notes. The 2026 Notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. The 2026 Notes and the guarantees are secured by a first-priority lien on certain of our subsidiary guarantors’ assets, stock of certain subsidiaries and by second-priority liens on certain of our subsidiary guarantor’s other assets.

On July 16, 2018, the Notes Trustee, at our direction, delivered a notice of full redemption to the holder of the $344.1 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 2022 Notes. The 2022 Notes were redeemed on August 15, 2018, at a premium, together with accrued and unpaid interest.

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On July 16, 2018, we entered into a Junior Term Loan Agreement, which provided for $157.1 million Tranche A Junior Term Loans and $193.5 million Tranche B Junior Term Loans. The Tranche A Junior Term Loans are due on July 15, 2030 and the Tranche B Junior Term Loans are due on July 15, 2031. Our obligations under the Junior Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by our subsidiaries that guarantee the 2026 Notes. In December 2018, the $193.5 million of Tranche B Junior Term Loans were exchanged by the holder for the Notes due on July 15, 2031 (“2031 Notes”). These 2031 Notes are of substantially similar character and terms as the Tranche B Junior Term Loan. As such the Tranche B Junior Term Loans were fully extinguished at the end of 2018.

On July 16, 2018, the Junior Term Loans were exchanged for $82.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 2027 Debentures and $193.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 2029 Debentures. The Junior Term Loans included $75 million principal of new debt issued at a discount of $15 million.

On July 16, 2018, we entered into an ABL Credit Agreement, which provides for a $65.0 million secured asset-backed revolving credit facility with a letter of credit subfacility and a swing line subfacility. In addition, the ABL Credit Agreement provides for a $35.0 million cash secured letter of credit facility. The commitments under the ABL Credit Agreement expire July 16, 2023.

We used the net proceeds of the 2026 Notes offering, together with cash available under the ABL Credit Agreement, junior lien term loan financing and cash on hand, to fund our refinancing transaction and related expenses and the satisfaction and discharge and redemption of all of our outstanding 2022 Notes.

During 2018, excluding the transactions discussed above, we redeemed or repurchased $95.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 2022 Notes and $5.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 2026 Notes.

Extinguishment of Debt

During 2018, we recorded a net gain on the extinguishment of debt of $30.6 million, as a result of the following transactions. As a result of the debt refinancing discussed above, we redeemed $344.1 million of our 2022 Notes and we executed a non-cash exchange of most of our Debentures for new Tranche A and Tranche B Junior Term Loans. We also redeemed or repurchased $95.5 million of our 2022 Notes and $5.3 million of our 2026 Notes. As a result of these transactions, we recorded any applicable premiums that were paid, wrote off unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, and recorded a fair market value adjustment on the exchange. See Note 5 for further discussion.

Asset Sales and Leasebacks

During 2018, we recognized a net gain of $4.1 million related to the sale of land and buildings in several of our markets. We also have various sales agreements or letters of intent to sell other properties that may close in 2019.

On April 23, 2018, we closed a sale and leaseback of real property in Columbia, South Carolina. The transaction resulted in net proceeds of $15.7 million. We are leasing back the Columbia property under a 15-year lease with initial annual payments totaling approximately $1.6 million. The lease includes a repurchase clause allowing us to repurchase the property after the 15-year lease term. Accordingly, the lease is being treated as a financing lease, and we continue to depreciate the carrying value of the property in our financial statements. No gain or loss will be recognized on the sale and leaseback of the property until we no longer have a continuing involvement in the property.

Under the 2022 Notes Indenture we were required to use the net after tax proceeds of $13.0 million from the Columbia transaction to reinvest in the Company within 365 days from the date of the sale or to make an offer to the holders of the 2022 Notes to purchase their notes at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. On April 25, 2018, we announced an offer to purchase $13.0 million of the 2022 Notes using the net after tax proceeds from the Columbia transaction at par plus accrued and unpaid interest. The offer expired on May 22, 2018, and $0.5 million principal amount of the 2022 Notes were tendered in the offer and redeemed by us at par.

Sale of interest in CareerBuilder

On September 13, 2018, we sold our remaining 3.0% ownership interest in CareerBuilder and received gross proceeds of $5.3 million. Under the 2026 Notes Indenture we are required to use the net cash proceeds of $5.3 million from the sale

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of CareerBuilder to redeem our 2026 Notes. In November 2018 we redeemed these notes at par plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Early retirement incentive program

On February 1, 2019 we announced a voluntary retirement incentive plan that was offered to approximately 450 employees. The plan would allow them to accept a supplemental benefit based on years of service that included a severance package and their vested benefits under the company’s frozen defined benefit plan in a lump sum payment. Nearly 50% of the employees have opted into the program which is expected to result in approximately $12 million to $13 million of savings over the remainder of 2019.

Results of Operations

The following table reflects our financial results on a consolidated basis for 2018 and 2017:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 Net loss $ (79,757) $ (332,358)

Net loss per diluted common share $ (10.27) $ (43.55) The decrease in net loss in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to the timing and amounts of non-cash deferred tax valuation allowance other non-cash impairment charges and the operating loss in 2018 compared with operating income in 2017. In 2018, we recorded a non-cash charge of $20.4 million for the deferred tax valuation allowance and a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $37.2 million for intangible newspaper mastheads. In 2017, pre-tax impairment charges were $193.4 million, primarily related to a $168.2 million impairment of our CareerBuilder equity investment and a $23.4 million impairment of our intangible newspaper mastheads, and non-cash charges that established the deferred tax valuation allowance of $192.3 million. In addition, advertising revenues were lower, which were partially offset by a decrease in expenses, as described more fully below. 2018 Compared to 2017

Revenues

The following table summarizes our revenues by category, which compares 2018 to 2017:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, $ % (in thousands) 2018 2017 Change Change Advertising: Retail $ 191,043 $ 236,130 $ (45,087) (19.1) National 42,273 40,338 1,935 4.8 Classified 102,635 120,586 (17,951) (14.9) Direct marketing and other 80,769 101,585 (20,816) (20.5) Total advertising 416,720 498,639 (81,919) (16.4) Audience 339,506 363,497 (23,991) (6.6) Other 51,000 41,456 9,544 23.0 Total revenues $ 807,226 $ 903,592 $ (96,366) (10.7) During 2018, total revenues decreased 10.7% compared to 2017 primarily due to the continued decline in demand for print advertising. Consistent with the end of 2017, the decline in print advertising was primarily a result of large retail advertisers continuing to reduce preprinted insert and in-newspaper ROP advertising. The decline in print advertising revenues is the result of the desire of advertisers to reach customers directly through online advertising, and the secular shift in advertising demand from print to digital products. We expect these trends to continue for the foreseeable future. The decrease in total revenues was exacerbated by the 53rd week in 2017 (compared to a 52-week year in 2018). The additional week in 2017 provided an estimated additional $6.6 million in advertising revenues, $6.7 million in audience revenues and $14.0 million in total revenues.

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Advertising Revenues Total advertising revenues decreased 16.4% during 2018 compared to 2017, including the impact of one less week in 2018. We experienced declines in all advertising revenue categories, except national advertising, primarily due to declines in print advertising revenues. The decreases in print advertising revenues were partially offset by increases in our national and digital classified advertising revenue categories, as discussed below. Digital advertising can come in many forms, including banner ads, video, search advertising and/or liner ads, while print advertising is typically display advertising, or in the case of classified, display and/or liner advertising. Advertising printed directly in the newspaper is considered ROP advertising while preprint advertising consists of preprinted advertising inserts delivered with the newspaper or delivered to non-subscribers as direct marketing products. The following table reflects the category of advertising revenues as a percentage of total advertising revenues for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 Advertising: Retail 45.9 % 47.3 % National 10.1 % 8.1 % Classified 24.6 % 24.2 % Direct marketing and other 19.4 % 20.4 % Total advertising 100.0 % 100.0 %

We categorize advertising revenues as follows:

• Retail – local retailers, local stores of national retailers, department and furniture stores, restaurants and other consumer-related businesses. Retail advertising also includes revenues from preprinted advertising inserts distributed in the newspaper.

• National – national and major accounts such as telecommunications companies, financial institutions, movie studios, airlines and other national companies and most of our programmatic digital advertising.

• Classified – local auto dealers, employment, real estate and other classified advertising, which includes remembrances, legal advertisements and other miscellaneous advertising.

• Direct Marketing and Other – primarily preprint advertisements in direct mail, shared mail and niche publications, events programs, total market coverage publications and other miscellaneous advertising not included in the daily newspaper. These products are generally delivered to non-subscribers of our daily newspapers. Retail:

During 2018, retail advertising revenues decreased 19.1% compared to 2017. In 2018, the decrease in retail advertising revenues was primarily due to decreases of 25.2% in print ROP advertising revenues and 35.4% in preprint advertising revenues compared to 2017. The overall decreases in retail advertising revenues for 2018 were spread among ROP and preprint.

National:

National advertising revenues increased 4.8% during 2018 compared to 2017. We experienced an increase of 11.6% in digital national advertising offset partially by a 10.4% decrease in print national advertising during 2018 compared to 2017. Overall, the increase in digital national advertising revenues during 2018 was largely led by programmatic digital advertising, including mobile and video revenues.

Classified:

During 2018, classified advertising revenues decreased 14.9% compared to 2017. Automotive, employment and real estate categories combined accounted for 50.2% of our classified advertising revenues during 2018 compared to 54.9% in 2017.

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Other classified advertising revenue includes legal, remembrance and celebration notices and miscellaneous classified advertising. During 2018 compared to 2017, we experienced an 8.3% increase in digital classified advertising led by other classified advertising and a 33.5% decrease in print classified advertising.

During the first quarter of 2018, we revisited the sales activity in remembrance/obituary sales noting that digital advertising has, over time, become the predominate source of obituary sales. As a result, we revised the classification of such sales, which allocates a greater amount of obituary sales from print/digital bundled advertising to digital-only advertising. See definition of digital-only below. Additionally, we continued to see a shift from other print classified advertising to digital platforms.

Digital Advertising:

Digital advertising revenues, which are included in each of the advertising categories discussed above, constituted 43.3% of total advertising revenues during 2018 compared to 34.7% during 2017. Total digital advertising includes digital-only advertising and digital advertising bundled with print and digital-only advertising.

Digital-only advertising is defined as digital advertising sold on a stand-alone basis or as the primary advertising buy with print sold as an “up-sell.” Digital-only advertising revenues increased 13.5% to $151.7 million in 2018 compared to 2017. In 2018, total digital advertising revenues increased 4.1% to $180.2 million compared to 2017 partially reflecting a change in allocation from print/digital bundled sales to digital-only sales as discussed above.

Digital advertising revenues bundled with print products declined 27.6% to $28.5 million in 2018 compared to 2017 as a result of fewer print advertising sales. The newspaper industry continues to experience a secular shift in advertising demand from print to digital products as advertisers look for multiple advertising channels to reach their customers and are increasingly focused on online customers. While our product offerings and collaboration efforts in digital advertising have grown, we expect to continue to face intense competition in the digital advertising space.

Direct Marketing and Other:

Direct marketing and other advertising revenues decreased 20.5% during 2018 compared to 2017. The decrease was largely due to declines in preprint advertising by large retail customers that are delivered to non-subscribers as described above and to a lesser extent, to decreases in our niche products. Audience Revenues

Audience revenues decreased 6.6% during 2018 compared to 2017. As noted above, the 53rd week in 2017 contributed an estimated $6.7 million in audience revenues exacerbating the year-over-year decline. Overall, digital audience revenues increased 2.6% during 2018 and digital-only audience revenues increased 34.8% in 2018 compared to 2017. The increase in digital-only audience revenues during 2018 was a result of a 51.1% increase in our digital-only subscribers to 155,500 as of the end of 2018 compared to 2017. Print audience revenues decreased 10.2% in 2018 compared to 2017, primarily due to lower print circulation volumes and the 53rd week of 2017 that were partially offset by pricing adjustments. We have a dynamic pricing model for our traditional print subscriptions for which pricing is constantly being adjusted. Print circulation volumes continue to decline as a result of fragmentation of audiences faced by our industry as available media outlets proliferate and readership trends change. Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses decreased 3.6% in 2018 compared to 2017. The decrease during 2018 was primarily due to changes in compensation and newsprint expenses, partially offset by other operating expenses and other asset write-downs as compared to 2017. Our total operating expenses, excluding other asset write-downs, reflect our continued effort to reduce costs through streamlining processes to gain efficiencies. Our operating expenses for 2017 also include a 53rd week, which resulted in higher expenses during 2017 than in 2018.

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The following table summarizes our operating expenses, which compares 2018 to 2017:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, $ % (in thousands) 2018 2017 Change Change Compensation expenses $ 298,033 $ 338,588 $ (40,555) (12.0) Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses 54,592 66,438 (11,846) (17.8) Depreciation and amortization expenses 76,242 80,129 (3,887) (4.9) Other operating expenses 364,038 352,830 11,208 3.2 Other asset write-downs 37,274 23,442 13,832 59.0 $ 830,179 $ 861,427 $ (31,248) (3.6)

Compensation expenses, which included both payroll and fringe benefit costs, decreased 12.0% in 2018 compared to 2017. Payroll expenses declined 13.6% during 2018 compared to 2017, reflecting a 14.8% decline in average full-time equivalent employees. Fringe benefits costs decreased 3.2% in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to decreases in health benefit costs and other fringe benefit costs, such as the employer portion of taxes, due to the reduction of headcount. These decreases were partially offset by the implementation of a 401(k) employer match resulting in costs of $2.5 million in 2018 with no comparable expense in 2017.

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses decreased 17.8% in 2018 compared to 2017. Newsprint expense declined 14.8% during 2018 compared to 2017. The newsprint expense declines reflect a decrease in newsprint tonnage used of 25.5% during 2018, offset by an increase in newsprint prices of 14.3% during 2018 compared to 2017. The newsprint price increase in 2018 reflect, in part, the temporary impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian newsprint sold to U.S. newspapers in 2018 that have since been removed. During these same periods, printing expenses, which are primarily outsourced printing costs, decreased 22.1%.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased 4.9% in 2018 compared to 2017. Depreciation expense decreased $2.2 million in 2018 compared to 2017, as a result of assets becoming fully depreciated in previous periods. Amortization expense decreased 3.3% in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to some intangible assets becoming fully amortized in 2018. We expect a significant portion of the remaining long-lived intangible assets to be fully amortized in the first two quarters of 2019. Other operating expenses increased 3.2% in 2018 compared to 2017. Other operating expenses included a $4.1 million gain on the disposal of property and equipment in 2018 compared to $23.6 million in 2017. This change in the gain was partially offset by cost savings initiatives and other efforts to reduce operational costs. We have had decreases in various categories, such as travel, bad debt, postage, circulation delivery costs and other miscellaneous expenses that were partially offset by increases for software for various enterprise-wide information technology related projects and the 53rd week in 2017.

Other asset write-downs in 2018 include an impairment charge of $37.2 million related to intangible newspaper mastheads, and a write down of $0.1 million related to classifying certain land and buildings as assets held for sale during the first quarter of 2018. Other asset write-downs in 2017 include an impairment charge of $21.5 million related to intangible newspaper mastheads and a write down of $2.0 million of non-newsprint inventory during the first quarter of 2017. See Notes 1 and 4 for additional discussion.

Non-Operating Items

Interest Expense:

Total interest expense decreased less than 0.1% in 2018 compared to 2017. While the first six months of 2018 experienced lower overall debt balances due to repurchases of debt made during 2017 and early 2018, in third quarter of 2018, interest expense related to debt balances increased. This increase was primarily related to the amortization of debt issuance costs resulting from the refinancing and an extra month of interest expense we paid on our 2022 Notes while the funds were being held by the trustee until the redemption date of August 15, 2018.

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In 2018, the increase in total interest expense was also due to increase in our non-cash imputed interest of $5.3 million related to our financing obligations due to the sales and leasebacks of our Columbia, South Carolina real property in the second quarter of 2018 and our Sacramento, California real property in the third quarter of 2017.

Equity Income (Loss) in Unconsolidated Companies, Net:

During 2018, we recorded equity income of $0.6 million compared to losses of $1.7 million in 2017. Our positive income in 2018 resulted from distributions of earnings from our investment in CareerBuilder.

Impairments Related to Investments in Unconsolidated Companies, Net:

As described more fully in Note 3, during 2017, we recorded $2.4 million in impairment charges related to certain other unconsolidated equity investments and $168.2 million in impairment charges related to our equity investment in CareerBuilder. We had no impairment charges related to equity investments during 2018.

Gains Related to Investments in Unconsolidated Companies:

As described more fully in Note 3, during 2018, we recorded $1.7 million gain on the sale of our investment in CareerBuilder. We had no such related transactions during 2017.

Extinguishment of Debt:

During 2018, we recorded a net gain on the extinguishment of debt of $30.6 million as a result of the following transactions: we redeemed $344.1 million of our 2022 Notes and we executed a non-cash exchange of most of our Debentures for new Tranche A and Tranche B Junior Term Loans. Also, during 2018, we redeemed or repurchased $95.5 million of our 2022 Notes and we redeemed $5.3 million of our 2026 Notes. As a result of these transactions, we recorded any applicable premiums that were paid, wrote off unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, and recorded a gain based on the relative fair market of the new debt issued as compared to the carrying value of the debt that was extinguished. See Recent Developments above and Note 5 for further discussion.

During 2017, we retired, repurchased or redeemed $68.7 million aggregate principal amount of various series of our outstanding notes. We repurchased some of these notes at a price higher than par value and redeemed some at par value. We wrote off historical debt issuance costs and as a result, we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $2.7 million during 2017.

Income Taxes:

In 2018, we recorded an income tax benefit of $2.2 million. As discussed more fully in Note 1 under Income Taxes, during 2018, we recorded a charge of $20.4 million related to the current period impact of the valuation allowance on deferred taxes. The remaining income tax benefit differed from the expected federal tax amounts primarily due to the inclusion of state income taxes and certain permanently non-deductible expenses.

In 2017, we recorded an income tax expense of $105.5 million. As discussed more fully in Note 1 (under Income Taxes) and Note 6, during 2017, we recorded a $192.3 million valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets because we determined that it is not more-likely-than-not that we will realize such deferred tax assets. The remaining income tax benefit differed from the expected federal tax amounts primarily due to the inclusion of state income taxes, the tax impact of stock compensation, the benefit from the reduced federal tax rate as a result of the Tax Act on our deferred tax liabilities, and certain permanently non-deductible expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital Resources:

Our cash and cash equivalents were $21.9 million as of December 30, 2018, compared to $99.4 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017. Our cash balance at the end of 2017 reflected the receipt of sales proceeds from the sale or sale and leaseback of some of our buildings and land during 2017, the remaining proceeds received from sale of a portion of our investment in CareerBuilder in the third quarter of 2017, and cash from operations. In January 2018 we used

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a significant portion of the cash on hand to redeem $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2022 Notes as announced in December 2017. We repurchased an additional $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2022 Notes in February 2018, and $5.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 2026 Notes in December 2018.

For the foreseeable future, we expect that most of our cash and cash equivalents, and our cash generated from operations will be used to (i) repay debt, (ii) pay income taxes, (iii) fund our capital expenditures, (iv) invest in new revenue initiatives, digital investments and enterprise-wide operating systems, (v) make required contributions to the Pension Plan, and (vi) fund other corporate uses as determined by management and our Board of Directors. As of December 30, 2018, we had approximately $745.1 million in total aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding, consisting of $304.7 million of our 2026 Notes, $89.9 million of our Debentures, $157.1 million of our Tranche A and $193.5 million of our 2031 Notes. As of December 30, 2018, we were not permitted to incur additional pari passu obligations under the limitation on indebtedness incurrence test as defined in the 2026 Notes Indenture. See Note 5 and Recent Developments above, regarding the transactions we entered into in July 2018 related to the restructuring and refinancing of certain of our debt.

We expect to continue to opportunistically repurchase or restructure our debt from time to time if market conditions are favorable, whether through privately negotiated repurchases of debt using cash from operations, or other types of tender offers or exchange offers or other means. We may refinance or restructure a significant portion of this debt prior to the scheduled maturity of such debt. However, we may not be able to do so on terms favorable to us or at all. We will be required to redeem the 2026 Notes from the net cash proceeds of certain asset dispositions and from a portion of our excess cash flow (as defined in the 2026 Notes Indenture). We believe that our cash from operations is sufficient to satisfy our liquidity needs over the next 12 months, while maintaining adequate cash and cash equivalents to fund our operations.

The following table summarizes our cash flows:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Cash flows provided by (used in) Operating activities $ 25,919 $ 19,123 Investing activities (374) 102,506 Financing activities (106,344) (26,523) Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (80,799) $ 95,106

Operating Activities:

We generated $25.9 million of cash from operating activities in 2018, compared to generating $19.1 million of cash in 2017. The change in cash generated from operating activities was primarily due to the timing of collections of accounts receivable, which were higher by $5.2 million and timing of payments of accounts payable, which were lower by $10.6 million. The remaining changes in operating activities related to miscellaneous timing differences in other receipts and payments or receipts.

Pension Plan Matters

We made no cash contributions to the Pension Plan during 2018 and 2017. After applying credits, which resulted from contributing more than the Pension Plan’s minimum required contribution amounts in prior years, we did not have a required cash contribution for 2018. We expect to have a required pension contribution of approximately $3.0 million under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act in fiscal year 2019, and we expect to have material contributions in the future.

Investing Activities:

We used $0.4 million of cash from investing activities in 2018. We received proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) of $5.7 million and from the sale of an investment of $5.3 million. These amounts were offset by the purchase of PP&E for $11.1 million, net purchases of and proceeds from redemptions of certificates of deposit, which net to a $2.3 million use of cash and contributions to equity investments of $2.5 million.

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We generated $102.5 million of cash from investing activities in 2017, which was primarily due to the sale of our interest in equity investments of $66.9 million and $7.3 million in distributions from our equity investments that exceeded the cumulative earnings from the investee and such amounts were considered a return of investment. We also sold property plan and equipment which generated $43.9 million of cash in 2017.

Financing Activities:

We used $106.3 million of cash for financing activities in 2018, compared to using $26.5 million 2017. During 2018, we repurchased or redeemed $439.6 million principal amount of our 2022 Notes for $459.5 million in cash and incurred financing costs of $17.7 million related to the refinancing of our debt. Those amounts were offset by cash proceeds of $361.4 million for the issuance of $310.0 million principal amount of the 2026 Notes and $75.0 million principal amount of the Junior Term Loans (which represents the excess from the exchange of debt, as more fully described in Note 5). We also had an increase of $15.7 million in our financing obligations as a result of the sale and leaseback of one of our real properties, as described in Recent Developments previously.

We used $26.5 million of cash from financing activities in 2017, primarily related to the repurchase of debt. During 2017, we repurchased at maturity a total of $16.9 million principal amount of our 5.75% Notes due in 2017, and we repurchased or redeemed $51.8 million principal amount of our 2022 Notes for an aggregate of $70.7 million in cash. These repurchases were partially offset by the $44.0 million increase in our financial obligations as a result of the sale and leaseback of one of our real properties.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements As of December 30, 2018, we did not have any significant off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K. Critical Accounting Policies This MD&A is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, future events are subject to change and the best estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment. The most significant areas involving estimates and assumptions are amortization and/or impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, pension and post-retirement expenses, and our accounting for income taxes. We believe the following critical accounting policies in particular, affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Goodwill: Goodwill consists of the excess of cost of acquired enterprises over the sum of the amounts assigned to identifiable assets acquired less liabilities assumed. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceed the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. We assess goodwill for impairment on an annual basis at a reporting unit level, and we have identified two reporting units. One reporting unit (“Western” reporting unit) consists of operations in our West and Central regions and the other reporting unit (“Eastern” reporting unit) consists of operations primarily in our Carolinas and East regions. Goodwill is assessed between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, a change in strategic direction, legal factors, operating performance indicators, a change in the competitive environment, the sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit, or future economic factors such as unfavorable changes in our stock price and market capitalization or in the estimated future discounted cash flows of our reporting units. Our annual test is performed at our fiscal year end. We test for goodwill impairment using an equal weighting of a market approach and an income approach. We used market multiples derived from a set of competitors or companies with comparable market characteristics to establish fair values for a reporting unit (market approach). We also estimate fair value using discounted projected cash flow analysis (income approach. This analysis requires significant judgments, including future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, the long-term rate of growth for our business, estimation of the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and

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determination of our weighted average cost of capital. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. In addition, financial and credit market volatility directly impacts our fair value measurement through our weighted average cost of capital, used to determine our discount rate, and through our stock price, used to determine our market capitalization. We may be required to recognize impairment of goodwill based on future economic factors. As of December 30, 2018, the amount of goodwill allocated to the Eastern reporting unit was $240.6 million and the amount allocated to the Western reporting unit was $464.5 million. We performed the annual goodwill impairment tests using a terminal growth rate of 1.0% and a discount rate of 10.5% for the income approach and comparable market multiples from eight companies and a 20% control premium to reflect McClatchy’s two-tiered ownership structure as inputs for the market approach. The results of the annual goodwill impairment test for 2018 indicated that an impairment was not required. However, the risk of a future goodwill impairment for the Western reporting unit has increased. The fair value of our Eastern reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by 58.2%, and the fair value of our Western reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by approximately 6.1%. Sensitivity analysis of the inputs to the indicated equity value of the Western reporting unit shows that decreasing the terminal growth rate or increasing the discount rate by 0.5% reduces the excess of fair value over the carrying value to 4.2% and 2.8%, respectively. A reduction of the control premium by 5% would reduce the excess of fair value over the carrying value of the Western reporting unit to 4.2%. No goodwill impairments were recorded during 2017. Mastheads:

Newspaper mastheads (newspaper titles and website domain names) are not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually, at year-end, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of each newspaper masthead with its carrying amount. We use a relief-from-royalty approach that utilizes the discounted cash flow model discussed above, and estimated royalty rates to determine the fair value of each newspaper masthead. Our judgments and estimates of future operating results in determining the reporting unit fair values are consistently applied to each newspaper in determining the fair value of each newspaper masthead. We performed interim and annual masthead impairment tests in 2018 and 2017. As a result of our testing, we recorded total impairment charges of $37.2 million and $21.5 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Other Intangible Assets:

Long-lived assets such as other intangible assets subject to amortization (primarily advertiser and subscriber lists) are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of each asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of such asset group. No impairment loss was recognized on intangible assets subject to amortization in 2018 or 2017. Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits:

We have significant pension and post-retirement benefit costs and credits that are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions including discount rates and expected returns on plan assets. We are required to consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in establishing these assumptions. Changes in the related pension and post-retirement benefit costs or credits may occur in the future because of changes resulting from fluctuations in our employee headcount and/or changes in the various assumptions. Current standards of accounting for defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans require recognition of (1) the funded status of a pension plan (difference between the plan assets at fair value and the projected benefit obligation) and (2) the funded status of a post-retirement plan (difference between the plan assets at fair value and the accumulated benefit obligation), as an asset or liability on the balance sheet. At December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had a total pension and post-retirement obligation of $661.0 million and $602.1 million, respectively. We maintain a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”), which covers certain eligible employees. Benefits are based on years of service that continue to count toward early retirement calculations and vesting previously earned. No new participants may enter the Pension Plan and no further benefits will accrue. For our Pension Plan, the net retirement obligations in excess of the retirement plan assets were $548.2 million and $476.7 million as of December 30, 2018, and

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December 31, 2017, respectively. We used a discount rate of 3.91% and an assumed long-term return on assets of 7.75% to calculate our retirement plan expenses in 2018.

We also have a limited number of supplemental and post-retirement plans to provide certain key employees and retirees with additional retirement benefits. These plans are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis. For these non-qualified plans that do not have assets, the post-retirement obligations were $112.8 million and $125.4 million as of December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, respectively. We used discount rates of 3.67% to 3.89% to calculate our retirement plan expenses in 2018.

For 2018, for the Pension Plan and the non-qualified post-retirement plans combined, a change in the weighted average rates would have had the following impact on our net benefit cost:

• A decrease of 50 basis points in the long-term rate of return would have increased our net benefit cost by approximately $6.8 million; and • A decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate would have decreased our net benefit cost by approximately $0.3 million. Income Taxes:

Our current and deferred income tax provisions are calculated based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. These estimates are reviewed and adjusted, if needed, throughout the year. Adjustments between our estimates and the actual results of filed returns are recorded when identified.

The amount of income taxes paid is subject to periodic audits by federal and state taxing authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. These audits may challenge certain aspects of our tax positions such as the timing and amount of deductions and allocation of taxable income to the various tax jurisdictions. Income tax contingencies require significant judgment in estimating final outcomes. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates and could significantly affect the effective tax rate and cash flows in future periods.

We account for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

During 2018, we finalized the impacts of the Tax Act and noted no material adjustments to our previously recorded balances and results. Additionally, we reviewed the overall valuation allowance as of December 30, 2018, and we determined that we needed to increase our valuation allowance by $34.0 million as a result of the changes to our deferred tax asset balances associated with the masthead and other intangible balances, tax amortizable goodwill and pension.

In 2017, we recorded a valuation allowance related to our deferred tax assets of $192.3 million. As a result of the Tax Act, principally the change that allows an indefinite carryforward period of net operating losses, we reassessed our analysis and decreased our related valuation allowance by $53.6 million during 2017. Due to the adjustments in 2018 noted above, our effective tax rate for 2018 is not comparable to the effective tax rate for 2017. See Note 6 for further discussion

The timing of recording or releasing a valuation allowance requires significant judgment. The development of these expectations involves the use of estimates such as operating profitability. The weight given to the evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. We will continue to maintain a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets until sufficient positive evidence arises in future that provides an indication that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets meet the more likely than not standard that these assets will be realized in the future. If sufficient positive evidence, such as three-year cumulative pre-tax income, arises in the future that provides an indication that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets meet the more-likely-than-not standard, the valuation allowance may be reversed, in whole or in part, in the period that such determination is made.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding the impact of certain recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this Item.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 25

Consolidated Statements of Operations 27

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) 28

Consolidated Balance Sheets 29

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 30

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) 31

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 32

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of The McClatchy Company:

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The McClatchy Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 30, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 30, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Sacramento, California March 8, 2019

We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1984; however, an earlier year could not be reliably determined.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

Years Ended December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 (52 weeks) (53 weeks) REVENUES — NET: Advertising $ 416,720 $ 498,639 Audience 339,506 363,497 Other 51,000 41,456 807,226 903,592 OPERATING EXPENSES: Compensation 298,033 338,588 Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses 54,592 66,438 Depreciation and amortization 76,242 80,129 Other operating expenses 364,038 352,830 Other asset write-downs 37,274 23,442 830,179 861,427

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (22,953) 42,165

NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest expense (81,397) (81,501) Interest income 640 558 Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated companies, net 592 (1,698) Impairments related to investments in unconsolidated companies, net — (170,007) Gains related to investments in unconsolidated companies 1,721 — Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net 30,577 (2,700) Retirement benefit expense (11,114) (13,404) Other — net 7 (312) (58,974) (269,064)

Loss before income taxes (81,927) (226,899) Income tax (benefit) expense (2,170) 105,459 NET LOSS $ (79,757) $ (332,358)

Net loss per common share: Basic $ (10.27) $ (43.55) Diluted $ (10.27) $ (43.55)

Weighted average number of common shares: Basic 7,768 7,632 Diluted 7,768 7,632

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Amounts in thousands)

Years Ended December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 (52 weeks) (53 weeks) NET LOSS $ (79,757) $ (332,358) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS): Pension and post retirement plans: (1) Change in pension and post-retirement benefit plans (56,530) 8,100 Investment in unconsolidated companies: (1) Other comprehensive income (loss) — 4,046 Other comprehensive income (loss) (56,530) 12,146 Comprehensive loss $ (136,287) $ (320,212) ______(1) There is no income tax benefit associated with the years ended December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, due to the recognition of a valuation allowance.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,906 $ 99,387 Trade receivables (net of allowances of $3,008 and $3,225) 81,709 101,081 Other receivables 12,198 11,556 Newsprint, ink and other inventories 9,115 7,918 Assets held for sale 9,920 6,332 Other current assets 15,505 19,000 150,353 245,274

Property, plant and equipment, net 233,692 257,639 Intangible assets: Identifiable intangibles — net 143,347 228,222 Goodwill 705,174 705,174 848,521 933,396 Investments and other assets: Investments in unconsolidated companies 3,888 7,172 Other assets 58,847 62,437 62,735 69,609 $ 1,295,301 $ 1,505,918 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 4,312 $ 74,140 Accounts payable 37,521 31,856 Accrued pension liabilities 11,510 8,941 Accrued compensation 20,481 24,050 Income taxes payable 6,535 10,133 Unearned revenue 58,340 60,436 Accrued interest 26,037 7,954 Financing obligation, current 10,417 9,143 Other accrued liabilities 5,385 9,689 180,538 236,342 Non-current liabilities: Long-term debt 633,383 707,252 Deferred income taxes 20,775 28,062 Pension and postretirement obligations 655,310 599,763 Financing obligations 108,252 91,905 Other long-term obligations 38,708 46,926 1,456,428 1,473,908 Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity (deficit): Common stock $.01 par value: Class A (authorized 200,000,000 shares, issued 5,384,303 shares and 5,256,325 shares) 53 52 Class B (authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 2,428,191 shares and 2,443,191 shares) 24 24 Additional paid-in-capital 2,216,681 2,215,109 Accumulated deficit (1,954,132) (1,970,097) Treasury stock at cost, 252 shares and 3,157 shares (2) (51) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (604,289) (449,369) (341,665) (204,332) $ 1,295,301 $ 1,505,918

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Amounts in thousands)

Years Ended December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $ (79,757) $ (332,358)

Reconciliation to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 76,242 80,129 Gain on disposal of property and equipment (excluding other asset write-downs) (4,092) (23,590) Retirement benefit expense 11,114 13,404 Stock-based compensation expense 2,057 2,475 Deferred income taxes (7,287) 86,400 Equity (income) loss in unconsolidated companies (592) 1,698 Gains related to investments in unconsolidated companies (1,721) — Impairments related to investments in unconsolidated companies, net — 170,007 Distributions of income from investments in unconsolidated companies 2,876 — (Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, net (30,577) 2,700 Other asset write-downs 37,274 23,442 Bond fees and other debt-related items 6,215 3,243 Other (5,755) (9,468) Changes in certain assets and liabilities: Trade receivables 16,704 11,502 Inventories (1,197) 4,064 Other assets 2,475 (605) Accounts payable 5,665 (4,966) Accrued compensation (3,577) (1,472) Income taxes (3,058) 2,211 Accrued interest 18,083 (648) Other liabilities (15,173) (9,045) Net cash provided by operating activities 25,919 19,123

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (11,120) (11,114) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other 5,679 43,944 Purchase of certificates of deposit (28,651) (4,040) Proceeds from redemption of certificates of deposit 30,957 3,433 Distributions from equity investments — 7,318 Contributions to cost and equity investments (2,540) (3,937) Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated companies and other-net 5,301 66,913 Other-net — (11) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (374) 102,506

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repurchase of notes and related expenses (464,870) (70,715) Proceeds from issuance of debt 361,449 — Payment of financing costs (17,684) — Proceeds from sale-leaseback financing obligations 15,749 43,971 Purchase of treasury shares (436) (508) Other (552) 729 Net cash used in financing activities (106,344) (26,523) Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (80,799) 95,106 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 131,354 36,248 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 50,555 $ 131,354

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Common Stock Accumulated Class A Class B Additional Other $.01 par $.01 par Paid-In Accumulated Comprehensive Treasury value value Capital Deficit Income (Loss) Stock Total Balance at December 25, 2016 $ 51 $ 24 $ 2,213,098 $ (1,637,739) $ (461,515) $ (6) $ 113,913 Net loss — — — (332,358) — — (332,358) Other comprehensive income — — — — 12,146 — 12,146 Issuance of 172,781 Class A shares under stock plans 2 — (2) — — — — Stock compensation expense — — 2,475 — — — 2,475 Purchase of 51,996 shares of treasury stock — — — — — (508) (508) Retirement of 48,873 shares of treasury stock (1) — (462) — — 463 — Balance at December 31, 2017 52 24 2,215,109 (1,970,097) (449,369) (51) (204,332) Cumulative effect adjustment of Topic 606 — — — (2,668) — — (2,668) Net loss — — — (79,757) — — (79,757) Other comprehensive income — — — — (56,530) — (56,530) Issuance of 162,824 Class A shares under stock plans 2 — (1) — — — 1 Stock compensation expense — — 2,057 — — — 2,057 Purchase of 46,941 shares of treasury stock — — — — — (436) (436) Retirement of 49,846 shares of treasury stock (1) — (484) — — 485 — Reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) tax effects — — — 98,390 (98,390) — — Balance at December 30, 2018 $ 53 $ 24 $ 2,216,681 $ (1,954,132) $ (604,289) $ (2) $ (341,665)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The McClatchy Company (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) provides strong, independent local journalism to 30 communities with operations in 14 states, as well as selected national news coverage through our Washington D.C. based bureau. We also provide a full suite of digital marketing services, both through our local sales teams based in the communities we serve, as well as through excelerate®, our national digital marketing agency. We are a publisher of brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, The Charlotte Observer, The (Raleigh) News & Observer, and the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram. We are headquartered in Sacramento, California, and our Class A Common Stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol MNI.

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal year December 30, 2018, consisted of a 52-week period. The fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of a 53-week period.

Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and pursuant to the rules and regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements include the Company and our subsidiaries. Intercompany items and transactions are eliminated.

Revenue recognition

We recognize revenues when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customers or when the services are performed, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. All revenue recognized on the consolidated statements of operations are the result of contracts with customers, except for revenues associated with lease income where we are the lessor through a sublease arrangement, as these are outside the scope of Topic 606. Also see Note 2.

Concentrations of credit risks

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risks, are principally cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivables. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with major financial institutions. As of December 30, 2018, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents are in excess of the FDIC insured limits. We have not experienced any losses related to amounts in excess of FDIC limits. We routinely assess the financial strength of significant customers and this assessment, combined with the large number and geographic diversity of our customers, limits our concentration of risk with respect to trade accounts receivable.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

We maintain an allowance account for estimated losses resulting from the risk that our customers will not make required payments. At certain of our media companies, we establish our allowances based on collection experience, aging of our receivables and significant individual account credit risk. At the remaining media companies we use the aging of accounts receivable, reserving for all accounts due 90 days or longer, to establish allowances for losses on accounts receivable; however, if we become aware that the financial condition of specific customers has deteriorated, additional allowances are provided.

We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts as follows:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of year $ 3,225 $ 3,254 Charged to costs and expenses 8,995 10,870 Amounts written off (9,212) (10,899) Balance at end of year $ 3,008 $ 3,225

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Newsprint, ink and other inventories

Newsprint, ink and other inventories are stated at the lower of cost (based principally on the first-in, first-out method) and net realizable value. During 2017, we recorded a $2.0 million write-down of non-newsprint inventory, which was reflected in the other asset write-downs line on our consolidated statement of operations. There were no similar write-downs of newsprint, ink or other inventories during 2018.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) are recorded at cost. Additions and substantial improvements, as well as interest expense incurred during construction, are capitalized. Capitalized interest was not material in 2018 or 2017. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When PP&E is sold or retired, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the associated gain or loss is recognized.

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

December 30, December 31, Estimated (in thousands) 2018 2017 Useful Lives Land $ 32,335 $ 36,491 Building and improvements 268,157 289,574 5 - 60 years Equipment 506,307 555,204 2 - 25 years (1) Construction in process 1,890 2,696 808,689 883,965 Less accumulated depreciation (574,997) (626,326) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 233,692 $ 257,639

(1) Presses are 9 - 25 years and other equipment is 2 - 15 years

We record depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. The useful lives are estimated at the time the assets are acquired and are based on historical experience with similar assets and anticipated technological changes. Our depreciation expense was $28.6 million and $30.8 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. During 2018 and 2017, we incurred $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in accelerated depreciation related to production equipment that was no longer needed due to outsourcing of our printing process at certain of our media companies. We review the carrying amount of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events that result in an impairment review include the decision to close a location or a significant decrease in the operating performance of the long-lived asset. Long-lived assets are considered impaired if the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group are less than the carrying amount. For impaired assets, we recognize a loss equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the asset or asset group and its estimated fair value, which is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The estimated fair value of the asset or asset group is based on the discounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group. The asset group is defined as the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available. Assets held for sale Assets held for sale includes land and building at three of our media companies that we actively marketed for sale during 2018. In connection with classifying these properties as assets held for the sale, the carrying value of the land and building at one of the properties was reduced to its estimated fair value less selling costs, as determined based on the current market conditions and the estimated selling price. As a result, during 2018, we recorded a $0.1 million impairment charge which is included in other asset write-downs on our consolidated statement of operations. The land and building at this property were subsequently sold during the third quarter of 2018 with no gain or additional loss. Additionally, one of the other properties that was classified as assets held for sale in 2018 was sold for a gain of $0.5 million.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Investments in unconsolidated companies We have accounted for non-marketable equity investments under the equity or cost method. Investments through which we exercise significant influence but do not have control over the investee are accounted for under the equity method. Investments through which we are not able to exercise significant influence over the investee are accounted for under the cost method. See Note 3 for discussion of investments in unconsolidated companies. Financial obligations

Financial obligations consist of contributions of real properties to the Pension Plan in 2016 and 2011 (see Note 7), and real property previously owned by The Sacramento Bee that was sold and leased back during the third quarter of 2017, and real property previously owned by The State in Columbia, South Carolina that we sold and leased back during the second quarter of 2018.

Segment reporting We operate 30 media companies, providing each of our communities with high-quality news and advertising services in a wide array of digital and print formats. We have two operating segments that we aggregate into a single reportable segment because each has similar economic characteristics, products, customers and distribution methods. Our operating segments are based on how our chief executive officer, who is also our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), makes decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. The CODM is provided discrete financial information for the two operating segments. Each operating segment consists of a group of media companies and both operating segments report to the same segment manager. One of our operating segments (“Western Segment”) consists of our media companies’ operations in the West and Central, while the other operating segment (“Eastern Segment”) consists primarily of media company operations in the Carolinas and East. Goodwill and intangible impairment Goodwill represents the excess of cost of a business acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. In accordance with FASB ASC 350 " Intangibles - Goodwill and Other " goodwill is not amortized. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit's net assets exceed the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. We test for impairment of goodwill annually, at year-end, or whenever events occur, or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. We perform this testing on operating segments, which are also considered our reporting units. One reporting unit (“Western” reporting unit) consists of operations in our West and Central regions and the other reporting unit (“Eastern” reporting unit) consists of operations primarily in our Carolinas and East regions We test for goodwill impairment using an equal weighting of a market approach and an income approach. We use market multiples derived from a set of competitors or companies with comparable market characteristics to establish fair values for a reporting unit (market approach). We also estimate fair value using discounted projected cash flow analysis (income approach). This analysis requires significant judgments, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, the long-term rate of growth for our business, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and determination of our weighted average cost of capital. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. In 2018, we considered the challenging business conditions and the resulting weakness in our stock price in our annual impairment analysis; however, no impairment was recognized. In 2017, we also concluded no impairment charge was required. Also see Note 4. Newspaper mastheads (newspaper titles and website domain names) are not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually, at year-end, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of each newspaper masthead with its carrying amount. We use a relief-from-royalty approach which utilizes a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of each newspaper masthead. We performed interim and annual impairment tests during 2018. Individual newspaper masthead fair values were estimated using the present value of expected future cash flows, using estimates, judgments and assumptions discussed above that we believe were appropriate in the circumstances. As a result, we recorded an intangible newspaper masthead impairment charges of $14.1 million in the third quarter, and $37.2 million for the full year ending December 30, 2018. In 2017, we recorded impairment charges of $21.5 million. Also see Note 4.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Long-lived assets, such as intangible assets subject to amortization (primarily advertiser and subscriber lists), are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of each asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of such asset group. We had no impairments of long-lived assets subject to amortization during 2018 or 2017.

Stock-based compensation

All stock-based compensation, including grants of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and common stock under equity incentive plans, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. At December 30, 2018, we had two stock-based compensation plans. See Note 10.

Income taxes

We account for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”) was enacted. The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, (i) reducing the U.S. federal corporate rate from 35% to 21%; (ii) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) and changing how existing AMT credits can be realized; (iii) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (iv) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017; (v) bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property; and (vi) limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation.

The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) in December 2017, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides that the measurement period for the tax effects of the Tax Act should not extend more than one year from the date the Tax Act was enacted. During 2018, we finalized the impacts of the Tax Act and noted no material adjustments to our previously recorded balances and results. The FASB also issued ASU 2018-02, see below in Note 1, which allowed for certain stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. We elected to early adopt this standard and as such recorded a reclass of $98.4 million of stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in 2018.

A tax valuation allowance is required when it is more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets may not be realized. The timing of recording or releasing a valuation allowance requires significant judgment. Establishment and removal of a valuation allowance requires us to consider all positive and negative evidence and to make a judgmental decision regarding the amount of valuation allowance required as of a reporting date. The assessment considers expectations of future taxable income or loss, available tax planning strategies and the reversal of temporary differences. The development of these expectations involves the use of estimates such as operating profitability. The weight given to the evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified.

We performed our assessment of the deferred tax assets during the third and fourth quarters of 2017, weighing the positive and negative evidence as outlined in ASC 740-10, Income Taxes. As we had incurred three years of cumulative pre-tax losses, such objective negative evidence limits our ability to give significant weight to other positive subjective evidence, such as projections for future growth and profitability. We will continue to maintain a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets until we believe it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized in the future. If sufficient positive evidence arises in the future that provides an indication that all of or a portion of the deferred tax assets meet the more likely than not standard, the valuation allowance may be reversed, in whole or in part, in the period that such determination is made.

Current generally accepted accounting principles prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an enterprise’s tax returns. We also evaluate any uncertain tax positions and recognize a liability for the tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017 not be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities upon consideration of the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We record a liability for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Any change in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions is recognized in earnings in the period in which such change occurs. We record accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. Accrued penalties are recorded as part of income taxes.

Fair value of financial instruments

We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. The hierarchy below lists three levels of fair value based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. We categorize each of our fair value measurements in one of these three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. Level 2 — Observable inputs to the valuation methodology are other than Level 1 inputs and are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date and fair value can be determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability, and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability including assumptions regarding risk.

Our policy is to recognize significant transfers between levels at the actual date of the event or circumstance that caused the transfer. During 2018, as a result of the refinancing transactions discussed in Note 5, we transferred our Debentures (as defined in Note 5) from Level 2 to Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. As of December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of these items approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.

Long-term debt. At December 30, 2018 the carrying value and the estimated fair value of our 2026 Notes (as defined in Note 5) was $287.2 million and $302.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the long-term debt, including the current portion of long-term debt, was $781.4 million and $810.7 million, respectively. The fair value of our 2026 Notes as described above was determined using quoted market prices, including the current market activity of our publicly-traded notes and bank debt, trends in investor demand for debt and market values of comparable publicly-traded debt. These are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value measurements and disclosure guidance and may not be representative of actual value.

At December 30, 2018, the carrying value and the estimated fair value of our Debentures, Junior Term Loan and 2031 Notes (as defined in Note 5), was $350.4 million and, $296.5 million, respectively. The fair values of our Debentures, Junior Term loan, and 2031 Notes were estimated based on quoted market prices. When market evidence was not available or reliable, the fair value was based on the net present value of the future cash flows using interest rates derived from market inputs and a Treasury yield curve in effect at December 30, 2018. These are considered to be Level 3 inputs under the fair value measurements and disclosure guidance and may not be representative of actual value.

Pension plan. As of December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, we had assets related to our qualified defined benefit pension plan measured at fair value. The required disclosures regarding such assets are presented in Note 7.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Our non-financial assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are assets held for sale, goodwill, indefinite or finite lived intangible assets and equity method investments. All of these are measured using Level 3 inputs. We utilize valuation techniques that seek to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The significant unobservable inputs include our expected cash flows and the discount rate that we estimate market participants would seek for bearing the risk associated with such assets. We incurred impairment charges during 2018 and 2017 on our newspaper masthead intangible assets (see above in Note 1).

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

We record changes in our net assets from non-owner sources in our consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity (deficit). Such changes relate primarily to valuing our pension liabilities, net of tax effects.

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and reclassifications from AOCL, net of tax, consisted of the following:

Other Minimum Comprehensive Pension and Loss Post- Related to Retirement Equity (in thousands) Liability Investments Total Balance at December 25, 2016 $ (450,506) $ (11,009) $ (461,515) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 4,046 4,046 Amounts reclassified from AOCL 8,100 — 8,100 Other comprehensive income 8,100 4,046 12,146 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (442,406) $ (6,963) $ (449,369) Amounts reclassified from AOCL (153,414) (1,506) (154,920) Other comprehensive loss (153,414) (1,506) (154,920) Balance at December 30, 2018 $ (595,820) $ (8,469) $ (604,289)

Amount Reclassified from AOCL (in thousands) Year Ended Year Ended December 30, December 31, Affected Line in the AOCL Component 2018 2017 Consolidated Statements of Operations Minimum pension and post-retirement liability $ (56,530) $ 8,100 Retirement benefit expense (1) Reclassification of AOCL tax effects (98,390) — Retained earnings (2) $ (154,920) $ 8,100 Net of tax ______(1) There is no income tax benefit associated with the years ended December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, due to the recognition of a valuation allowance. (2) See Recently adopted accounting pronouncements below

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Earnings per share (EPS)

Basic EPS excludes dilution from common stock equivalents and reflects income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents in the period. Common stock equivalents arise from dilutive stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units and are computed using the treasury stock method. Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents are excluded from diluted EPS. The weighted average anti-dilutive common stock equivalents that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future, but were not included in the weighted average share calculation, consisted of the following:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (shares in thousands) 2018 2017 Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents 199 278

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (“Topic 606”), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 "Revenue Recognition." ASU 2014-09 outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. Topic 606 requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued additional updates and these updates provided further guidance and clarification on specific items within the previously issued update. We adopted Topic 606 as of January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method. See Note 2 for further details.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. We adopted ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis, but it did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues and is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-15 as of January 1, 2018, retrospectively, but it did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.” ASU 2016-18 addresses the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The standard requires an entity to include restricted amounts with cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. An entity will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted amounts on the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016- 18 as of January 1, 2018, using the retrospective transition method to each period presented. As a result of the adoption, net cash provided by operating activities during 2017 increased $1.0 million to exclude the changes in restricted cash, and this amount is reflected in our consolidated cash flow statement.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2018-02 allows for reclassification of stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Consequently, the standard eliminates the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. However, because the standard only relates to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. This standard also requires certain disclosures about the stranded tax effects. It is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. During the fourth quarter of 2018, we elected to early adopt this

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017 standard. As a result of the adoption, we reclassified $98.4 million of stranded tax effects to accumulated deficit. These previously had been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” and it replaces the existing guidance in Topic 840, “Leases.” Topic 842 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use (ROU) assets. The new lease standard does not substantially change lessor accounting. Topic 842 has been amended by ASUs No. 2018-01, 2018-10, 2018-11 and 2018-20, which provide further guidance and clarification on specific items within the previously issued update. It is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.

We plan to adopt ASC 842 in our next fiscal year beginning December 31, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach, and to apply the new standard to existing leases on the effective date of the standard. Our leases are made up of mostly real estate, vehicle and other equipment leases. As a result, we anticipate that ASC 842 will have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets due to the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. We expect our accounting for capital leases to remain substantially unchanged and do not expect that adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations. Upon adoption, we expect to recognize additional operating lease liabilities of approximately $61.0 million with corresponding ROU assets of approximately $52.0 million.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We expect to elect the “package of practical expedients”, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The new standard also provides practical expedients for our ongoing accounting. We expect to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. For those leases that qualify, we will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities, and this includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases in transition. We also expect to elect the practical expedient allowing us combine lease and non-lease components for our real estate leases.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected credit losses during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. In 2018, the FASB issued additional guidance update 2018-19 which clarifies the scope of the guidance was not meant to include receivables arising from operating leases. ASU 2016-13 and the subsequent update are effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework- Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” ASU 2018-13 adds, removes and modifies various disclosure requirements within Topic 820. It is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this guidance and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plan-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” ASU 2018-14 adds, removes or clarifies various disclosure requirements within guidance. It is effective for us for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal -Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Contract.” ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal- use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). It is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

2. REVENUES

Adoption of ASC 2014-09 (Topic 606), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”

On January 1, 2018, we adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018, are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under Topic 605.

We recorded a net increase to opening accumulated deficit of $2.7 million as of January 1, 2018, due to the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 606, with the impact primarily related to our audience revenues. The impact to revenues as a result of applying Topic 606 was less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 30, 2018 compared to applying Topic 605.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customers or services are performed, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.

All revenues recognized on the consolidated statements of operations are the result of contracts with customers, except for revenues associated with lease income where we are the lessor through a sublease arrangement, as these are outside the scope of Topic 606.

Advertising Revenues

We generate revenues primarily by delivering advertising on our digital media sites, on our partners’ websites and in our newspapers. These advertising revenues are generated through digital and print performance obligations that are included in contracts with customers, which are typically one year or less in duration or commitment. There are no differences in the treatment of digital and print advertising performance obligations or the recognition of revenues for retail, national, classified, and direct marketing revenue categories under Topic 606.

We generate advertising revenues through digital products that are sold on cost-per-thousand impressions (“CPM”) which means that an advertiser pays based upon number of times their ad is displayed on our owned and operated websites and apps, our partners’ websites, ad exchanges, in a video pre-roll or a programmatic bidding exchange. Such revenues are recognized according to the timing outlined in the contract.

There are also monthly marketing campaigns which may include multiple products such as items sold by CPM, reputation management, search engine marketing and search engine optimization. In these arrangements as well as in a CPM sale, the contracted goods and services are performed over the specific contract term and the transfer of the performance obligation occurs as the benefits are consumed by the customer. As such, revenue is recognized daily regardless of the performance obligations classification of timing of being point in time or overtime.

Print advertising is advertising that is printed in a publication, inserted into a publication, or physically mailed to a customer. Our performance obligations for print products are directly associated with the inclusion of the advertisement in the final publication and delivery of the product on the contracted distribution day. Revenues are recognized at the point in time that the newspaper publication is delivered, and distribution of the advertisement is satisfied.

Certain customers may receive cash-based incentives or credits, which are accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these amounts based on the expected value approach.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

For ads placed on our partners’ websites or selling a product hosted or managed by partners, we evaluate whether we are the principal or agent. Generally, we report advertising revenues for ads placed on our partners’ websites or for the resale of their products on a gross basis; that is, the amounts billed to our customers are recorded as revenues, and amounts paid to our partners for their products or advertising space are recorded as operating expenses. Where we are the principal, we are primarily responsible to our customers for fulfillment of the contract goals though, from time to time, we use third- party goods or services. Our control is further supported by our level of discretion in establishing price and in some cases, controlling inventory before it is transferred to the customer.

Most products, including the printed newspaper advertising product, banner ads on our websites and video ads on our owned and operated player are reported on a gross basis. However, there are some third-party products and services that we offer to customers and various revenue share arrangements, such as exchange platforms, that are reported on a net revenue basis. When revenues are earned through a reseller of a product or participating in an exchange where control over the service provided is limited, revenues are presented net of the costs of the arrangement.

Audience Revenues

Audience revenues include digital and print subscriptions or a combination of both at various frequencies of delivery. Our subscribers typically pay us in advance of when their subscriptions start or shortly thereafter. Our performance obligation to subscribers of our digital products is the real-time access to news and information delivered through multiple digital platforms. Our performance obligation to our traditional print subscribers is delivery of the physical newspaper according to their subscription plan. Revenues related to digital and print subscriptions are recognized ratably each day that a product is delivered to the subscriber.

Digital subscriptions may be purchased for a day, month, quarter, or year, and revenue is reported daily over the term of the contract.

Traditional print subscriptions may have various frequencies of delivery based upon each subscriber’s delivery preference. Revenues are recognized based upon each delivery, therefore at a point in time.

Certain subscribers may enter into a grace period (“grace”) after their previous contract term has expired but before payment has been received on the renewal. Grace is granted as a continuation of the subscription contract, so that service is not disrupted, and the extension is accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these revenue amounts based on the expected amount to be received, considering the expected discontinuation of service or nonpayment based on historical experience.

Other Revenues

The largest revenue streams within other revenues are for commercial printing and distribution. The commercial print agreements are between us and third-party publishers to print and make available for distribution their finished products. Commercial print contracts are for a daily finished product and each day’s product is unique, or a separate performance obligation. Revenue is recorded at a point in time upon completion of each day’s print project.

The performance obligation for distribution revenues is the transportation of third-party published products to their subscribers or stores for resale. Distribution is performed substantially the same over the life of the contract and revenue is recognized at the point in time each performance obligation is completed.

We report distribution revenues from the third-party publishers on a gross basis. That is, the amounts that we bill to third party publishers to deliver their finished product to their customers are recorded as revenues, and the amounts paid to our independent carriers to deliver the third-party product are recorded as operating expenses.

Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations

Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenue to each performance obligation based on its stand-alone selling price. We generally determine stand-alone selling prices

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017 for audience revenue contracts based upon observable market values and the adjusted market assessment. For advertising revenue contracts with multiple performance obligations, stand-alone selling price is based on the prices charged to customers or on an adjusted market assessment.

Unearned Revenues

We record unearned revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, including amounts which are refundable.

Our payment terms vary for advertising and subscriber customers. Subscribers generally pay in advance of up to one year. Advertiser payments are due within 30 days of invoice issuance and therefore amounts paid in advance are not significant. For advertisers that are considered to be at a higher risk of collectability due to payment history or credit processing, we require payment before the products or services are delivered to the customer.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

We expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less if capitalized. These costs are recorded within compensation expenses.

We record usage-based royalties promised in exchange for use of our intellectual property, including but not limited to photographs and articles. These royalty revenues are accrued when estimates of usage and recoverability are made. These revenues are recorded within other revenues.

We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.

3. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

CareerBuilder, LLC

On September 13, 2018, we sold our remaining 3.0% ownership interest in CareerBuilder, LLC (“CareerBuilder”) and received gross proceeds of $5.3 million. As a result of this sale, we recognized a gain on sale of investments in unconsolidated companies of $1.7 million in 2018. During 2018, we also received distributions totaling approximately $2.8 million from CareerBuilder, which relate to the return of earnings. Our 3.0% ownership interest in CareerBuilder was accounted for under the cost method (measurement alternative under ASU 2016-01).

On June 19, 2017, we along with the then existing ownership group of CareerBuilder announced that we had entered into an agreement to sell a majority of the collective ownership interest in CareerBuilder to an investor group led by investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Management Group along with the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. The transaction closed on July 31, 2017. We received $73.9 million from the closing of the transaction, consisting of approximately $7.3 million in normal distributions and $66.6 million of gross proceeds. After the close of the transaction, our ownership interest in CareerBuilder was reduced to approximately 3.0% from 15.0%. We recorded a total of $168.2 million in pre-tax impairment charges on our equity investment in CareerBuilder during 2017 related to this transaction.

Write-downs During 2018 and 2017, excluding the CareerBuilder impairments noted above, we recorded write-downs of zero and $2.4 million, respectively. The write-downs in 2017 were related to various investments and were recorded in impairments related to equity investments in the consolidated statement of operations.

Other

Three of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have a combined 27.0% general partnership interest in Ponderay Newsprint Company (“Ponderay”). The carrying value of the investment in Ponderay is zero as a result of a write off in 2014 and

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

accumulative losses exceeding our carrying value. No future income or losses from Ponderay will be recorded until our carrying value on our balance sheet is restored through future earnings by Ponderay.

We have a 49.5% ownership interest in The Seattle Times Company (“STC”). The carrying value of our investment in STC is zero as a result of accumulative losses in previous years exceeding our carrying value. No future income or losses from STC will be recorded until our carrying value on our balance sheet is restored through future earnings by STC.

We also incur expenses related to the purchase of products and services provided by these companies. We purchased some of our newsprint supply from Ponderay through a third-party intermediary and in 2017, we incurred wholesale fees from CareerBuilder for the uploading and hosting of online advertising on behalf of our media companies’ advertisers. We recorded these expenses for CareerBuilder as a reduction to the associated digital classified advertising revenues and expenses related to Ponderay were recorded in newsprint expenses.

The following table summarizes expenses incurred for products and services provided by unconsolidated companies:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 CareerBuilder, LLC $ — $ 354 Ponderay (general partnership) 7,975 9,162

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Changes in identifiable intangible assets and goodwill consisted of the following:

December 31, Disposition Impairment Amortization December 30, (in thousands) 2017 Additions Adjustment Charges Expense 2018 Intangible assets subject to amortization $ 839,284 $ — $ (948) $ — $ — $ 838,336 Accumulated amortization (761,013) — 948 — (47,660) (807,725) 78,271 — — — (47,660) 30,611 Mastheads 149,951 — — (37,215) — 112,736 Goodwill 705,174 — — — — 705,174 Total $ 933,396 $ — $ — $ (37,215) $ (47,660) $ 848,521

December 25, Disposition Impairment Amortization December 31, (in thousands) 2016 Additions Adjustment Charges Expense 2017 Intangible assets subject to amortization $ 839,273 $ 11 $ — $ — $ — $ 839,284 Accumulated amortization (711,723) — — — (49,290) (761,013) 127,550 11 — — (49,290) 78,271 Mastheads 171,436 — — (21,485) — 149,951 Goodwill 705,174 — — — — 705,174 Total $ 1,004,160 $ 11 $ — $ (21,485) $ (49,290) $ 933,396

As discussed more fully in Note 1, based on our interim and annual impairment testing of intangible newspaper mastheads we recorded a total of $37.2 million in masthead impairments during 2018. These impairment charges were recorded in other asset write-downs line item on our consolidated statements of operations.

Based on our annual impairment testing of goodwill and intangible newspaper mastheads at December 31, 2017, we recorded $21.5 million in masthead impairments, which were recorded in the goodwill impairment and other asset write- downs line item on our consolidated statements of operations. We had no goodwill impairments as a result of our annual impairment testing as of December 31, 2017.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Accumulated changes in indefinite lived intangible assets and goodwill as of December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, consisted of the following:

December 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Original Gross Accumulated Carrying Original Gross Accumulated Carrying (in thousands) Amount Impairment Amount Amount Impairment Amount Mastheads $ 684,500 $ (571,764) $ 112,736 $ 684,500 $ (534,549) $ 149,951 Goodwill 3,571,111 (2,865,937) 705,174 3,571,111 (2,865,937) 705,174 Total $ 4,255,611 $ (3,437,701) $ 817,910 $ 4,255,611 $ (3,400,486) $ 855,125

Amortization expense was $47.7 million and $49.3 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

Amortization Expense Year (in thousands) 2019 $ 24,095 2020 803 2021 680 2022 655 2023 667

5. LONG-TERM DEBT

All of our long-term debt is in fixed rate obligations. As of December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, our outstanding long-term debt consisted of senior secured notes, unsecured notes, and loans. They are stated net of unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discounts, if applicable, totaling $109.2 million and $23.7 million as of December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, respectively. The unamortized discounts include; fair value adjustments on unsecured debt acquired in 2006, as well as the Junior Term Loans and the 2026 Notes that included original issue discounts from the 2018 debt refinancing discussed below.

The face values of the notes, as well as the carrying values are as follows:

Face Value at Carrying Value December 30, December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2018 2017 ABL Credit Agreement $ — $ — $ — Notes: 9.000% senior secured notes due in 2022 — — 433,819 9.000% senior secured notes due in 2026 304,700 287,249 — 7.795% tranche A junior term loan due in 2030 157,083 123,213 — 6.875% senior secured junior lien notes due in 2031 193,466 141,447 — 7.150% debentures due in 2027 7,105 6,824 85,262 6.875% debentures due in 2029 82,764 78,962 262,311 Long-term debt $ 745,118 $ 637,695 $ 781,392 Less current portion 4,575 4,312 74,140 Total long-term debt, net of current $ 740,543 $ 633,383 $ 707,252

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Debt Maturities, Repurchases, Redemptions and Extinguishment of Debt

During 2018 and 2017, we redeemed or repurchased our outstanding debt as follows:

Year Ended December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 (in thousands) Face Value Face Value 9.000% senior secured notes due in 2022 $ 439,630 $ 51,785 5.750% notes due in 2017 — 16,865 9.000% senior secured notes due in 2026 5,300 — Total notes matured, repurchased or redeemed $ 444,930 $ 68,650

During 2018, we recorded a net gain on the extinguishment of debt of $30.6 million as a result of the following transactions that occurred in 2018, as described below.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, in conjunction with the refinancing discussed below, we redeemed $344.1 million of our 2022 senior secured notes due in 2022 (“2022 Notes”). We also executed a non-cash exchange of most of our 7.150% debentures due November 1, 2027 (“2027 Debentures”) and 6.875% debentures due March 15, 2029 (“2029 Debentures” and together with the 2027 Debentures, the “Debentures”) for new Tranche A and Tranche B Junior Term Loans (as defined below).

The non-cash exchange of the Debentures discussed above was executed with a single lender and its affiliates. We reviewed all of our debt instruments held by this lender prior to and after the refinancing and determined that the new debt instruments were substantially different from the previously held instruments. We concluded that the exchange of the Debentures for the Junior Term Loans should be accounted for as an extinguishment of the Debentures. As a result, during 2018, we recorded a gross gain of $68.7 million, which represents the difference between the carrying value of the Debentures and the fair market value of the Junior Term Loans at time of the exchange. This gain was partially offset by a $32.3 million write-off of the unamortized discounts on the Debentures, unamortized debt issuance costs on the 2022 Notes, and premiums paid on the 2022 Notes for a net gain of $30.6 million.

The net gain on extinguishment of debt recorded on the above transactions was partially offset by a loss on extinguishment of debt recorded in conjunction with our notes redemptions and repurchases during 2018. During 2018, we (i) redeemed $0.5 million of our 2022 Notes through a tender offer that expired on May 22, 2018, (ii) redeemed $75.0 million of our 2022 Notes, which we had previously announced in December 2017, (iii) repurchased $20.0 million of the 2022 Notes through a privately negotiated transaction, and (iv) redeemed $5.3 million of our 2026 Notes, which was previously announced in October 2018. We recorded any applicable premiums that were paid and wrote off the associated debt issuance costs on the above transactions.

During December 2018, we entered into an indenture (“2031 Notes Indenture”) in the amount of $193.5 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Junior Lien Notes due 2031 (“2031 Notes”). The 2031 Notes were issued in exchange for an equal principal amount of Tranche B Junior Term Loans (as defined below). These 2031 Notes have substantially the same terms as the Tranche B Junior Term Loan. As a result of this transaction, the Tranche B Junior Term Loan has been fully extinguished.

During 2017, we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $2.7 million as a result of the following transactions. During 2017, we (i) retired $16.9 million of debt that matured on September 1, 2017; (ii) repurchased a total $50.0 million of our 2022 Notes through privately negotiated transactions; and (iii) redeemed $1.8 million of the 2022 Notes through our offer to purchase or privately negotiated transactions. The notes that matured and the notes that were redeemed as a result of our offer to purchase, were transacted at the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2022 Notes that we repurchased through privately negotiated transactions were repurchased at a premium, and we wrote off the associated debt issuance costs.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Debt Refinancing in July 2018

On July 16, 2018, we entered into an Indenture (“2026 Notes Indenture”), among the Company, guarantor subsidiaries of the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee and collateral agent (“2026 Notes Trustee”), pursuant to which we issued $310.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (“2026 Notes”) as described more fully under the section “2026 Senior Secured Notes and Indenture” below.

In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes and other junior debt instruments described below, we completed a refinancing of all of our 2022 Notes and substantially all of our Debentures, and our revolving credit facilities. On July 16, 2018, we deposited sufficient funds with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (“2022 Notes Trustee”), to pay the redemption price payable for all outstanding 2022 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest due on the 2022 Notes to, but excluding, the redemption date. The 2022 Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of December 18, 2012, among the Company, guarantor subsidiaries of the Company and the 2022 Notes Trustee (“2022 Notes Indenture”).

As a result of this refinancing, we satisfied and discharged our obligations (subject to certain exceptions) under the 2022 Notes Indenture and the related security documents in accordance with the satisfaction and discharge provisions of the 2022 Notes Indenture. Upon the satisfaction and discharge of the 2022 Notes Indenture on July 16, 2018, all of the liens on the collateral securing the 2022 Notes were released, and we and the guarantors were discharged from our respective obligations under the 2022 Notes and the guarantees thereof.

On July 16, 2018, the 2022 Notes Trustee, at our direction, delivered a notice of redemption to the holders of all $344.1 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding 2022 Notes. The redemption to the holders was completed on August 15, 2018.

ABL Credit Agreement

On July 16, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement, among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as borrowers, the lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent (“ABL Credit Agreement”). The ABL Credit Agreement provides for up to $65.0 million secured asset-backed revolving credit facility with a letter of credit subfacility and a swing line subfacility. In addition, the ABL Credit Agreement provides for a $35.0 million cash secured letter of credit facility (“LOC Facility”). The commitments under the ABL Credit Agreement expire July 16, 2023. Our obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement are guaranteed by us and by certain of our subsidiaries meeting materiality thresholds set forth in the ABL Credit Agreement as described below.

The proceeds of the loans under the ABL Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. We have the right to prepay loans under the ABL Credit Agreement in whole or in part at any time without penalty. Subject to availability under the Borrowing Base, amounts repaid may be reborrowed.

As of December 30, 2018, under the ABL Credit Agreement we had $61.0 million of available credit. The Borrowing Base is recalculated monthly and is subject to seasonality of advertising sales around year-end holiday periods (and resulting growth in advertising accounts receivable balances). As of December 30, 2018, we had a $28.7 million standby letters of credit secured under the LOC Facility. We are required to provide cash collateral equal to 100% of the aggregate undrawn stated amount of each outstanding letter of credit. Cash collateral associated with the LOC Facility is classified in our consolidated balance sheets in other assets. The amounts of standby letters of credit declined to $26.7 million in January 2019.

Loans under the ABL Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at either a rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) for the applicable interest period or a base rate, in each case plus a margin. The base rate is the highest of Wells Fargo’s publicly announced prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%. The margin ranges from 1.75% to 2.25% for LIBOR loans and 0.75% to 1.25% for base rate loans and is determined based on average excess availability. Interest on the loans is payable quarterly in arrears with respect to base rate loans and at the end of an interest period (and at three month intervals if the interest period exceeds three months) in the case of LIBOR loans.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

The ABL Credit Agreement requires us, at any time the availability under our revolving credit facility falls below the greater of 12.5% of the total facility size or approximately $8.1 million, to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00 until such time as the availability under our revolving credit facility exceeds such threshold for 30 consecutive days.

The ABL Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants, including covenants regarding the payment of taxes and other obligations, maintenance of insurance, reporting requirements and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Further, the ABL Credit Agreement contains customary negative covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries, among other things, to incur debt, grant liens, make investments, make certain restricted payments and sell assets, subject to certain exceptions. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, the lenders may declare all outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the ABL Credit Agreement immediately due and payable and may exercise the other rights and remedies provided for under the ABL Credit Agreement and related loan documents. The events of default under the ABL Credit Agreement include, subject to grace periods in certain instances, payment defaults, cross defaults with certain other indebtedness, breaches of covenants or representations and warranties, change in control of us and certain bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect to us and our subsidiaries meeting a materiality threshold set forth in the ABL Credit Agreement.

In connection with entering into the ABL Credit Agreement and the refinancing of our 2022 Notes as described above, we terminated our Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which had a maturity date of December 18, 2019 and had no borrowings outstanding as of July 16, 2018, the date of termination.

2026 Senior Secured Notes and Indenture

As discussed above, on July 16, 2018, we entered into the 2026 Notes Indenture and issued $310.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers in the United States in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The 2026 Notes mature on July 15, 2026, and bear interest at a rate of 9.000% per annum. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2019.

We may redeem the 2026 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after July 15, 2022, at specified redemption prices and may also redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before July 15, 2021, at specified redemption prices, in each case, as set forth in the 2026 Notes Indenture. Prior to July 15, 2022, we may also redeem some or all of the 2026 Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the redemption date and a “make-whole” premium.

We are required to redeem the 2026 Notes from the net cash proceeds of certain asset dispositions and from a portion of our excess cash flow (as defined in the 2026 Notes Indenture). As of December 30, 2018, we determined the excess cash flow due was $4.3 million which is classified as current portion of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet.

If we experience specified changes of control triggering events, we must offer to repurchase the 2026 Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 2026 Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the applicable repurchase date.

The 2026 Notes Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability and our restricted subsidiaries to: • incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred stock; • make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments; • sell assets; • agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us; • create liens; • merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets, taken as a whole; and • enter into certain transactions with affiliates.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

These covenants are subject to a number of other limitations and exceptions set forth in the 2026 Notes Indenture.

The 2026 Notes Indenture provides for customary events of default, including, but not limited to, failure to pay principal and interest, failure to comply with covenants, agreements, or conditions, and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency involving us and our significant subsidiaries. In the case of an event of default arising from specified events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding 2026 Notes under the 2026 Notes Indenture will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other event of default under the 2026 Notes Indenture occurs or is continuing, the 2026 Notes Trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding 2026 Notes under the 2026 Notes Indenture may declare all of such 2026 Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Fifth Supplemental Indenture

On July 13, 2018, in connection with our outstanding Debentures, we entered into a Fifth Supplemental Indenture (“Supplemental Indenture”) with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (“Debentures Trustee”), supplementing the original Indenture which proceeded the issuance of the Debentures in 1997.

The Supplemental Indenture was entered into in connection with our refinancing of existing indebtedness to amend the Debentures Indenture to eliminate certain restrictive covenants.

Junior Lien Term Loan Agreement and 2031 Notes

On July 16, 2018, we entered into a Junior Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as administrative agent and collateral agent (“Junior Term Loan Agreement”). The Junior Term Loan Agreement provided for a $157.1 million secured term loan (“Tranche A Junior Term Loans”) and a $193.5 million term loan (“Tranche B Junior Term Loans” and together with the Tranche A Junior Term Loans, “Junior Term Loans”). The Tranche A Junior Term Loans mature on July 15, 2030 and the Tranche B Junior Term Loans had a maturity date of July 15, 2031. Our obligations under the Junior Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by our subsidiaries that guarantee the 2026 Notes. Under the terms of the Junior Term Loan Agreement, affiliates of Chatham Asset Management, LLC may elect to convert up to $75.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2029 Debentures owned by them into an equal principal amount of Tranche B Junior Term Loans or notes with terms substantially similar to the Tranche B Junior Term Loans upon written notice to us.

As noted above, in December 2018 Chatham elected to exchange the full amount of $193.5 million of the Tranche B Junior Term Loans for the 2031 Notes. As such the Tranche B Junior Term Loans were fully extinguished at the end of 2018.

On July 16, 2018, the $82.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 2027 Debentures and $193.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 2029 Debentures were exchanged for the Junior Term Loans. The cash proceeds from the exchange were used to redeem a portion of the 2022 Notes, and to pay fees, costs, and expenses in connection with our debt refinancing. As discussed above, we determined that the instruments held by the single lender, when combined, had substantially different cash flows from one another and therefore we accounted for the exchange as a debt extinguishment.

We have the right to prepay loans under the Junior Term Loan Agreement, in whole or in part, at any time, at specified prices that decline over time, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in the case of Tranche A Junior Term Loans. We have the right to prepay notes under the 2031 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Amounts prepaid may not be reborrowed.

Tranche A Junior Term Loans and the 2031 Notes bear interest at a rate per annum equal to 7.795% and 6.875%, respectively. Interest on the loans and notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2019.

The Junior Term Loan Agreement and the 2031 Notes contains customary affirmative covenants, including covenants regarding the payment of taxes and other obligations, maintenance of insurance, reporting requirements and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Further, the Junior Term Loan Agreement and 2031 Notes contains customary

48

THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017 negative covenants limiting the ability of us and our subsidiaries, among other things, to incur debt, grant liens, make investments, make certain restricted payments and sell assets, subject to certain exceptions. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, the lenders may declare all outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the Junior Term Loan Agreement immediately due and payable and may exercise the other rights and remedies provided for under the Junior Term Loan Agreement and related loan documents. In general, the affirmative and negative covenants of the Junior Term Loan Agreement and the 2031 Notes are substantially the same as the covenants in the 2026 Notes Indenture.

Other Debt

After giving effect to the Junior Term Loan Agreement, we have $7.1 million aggregate principal amount of 2027 Debentures and $82.8 million aggregate principal amount of 2029 Debentures outstanding as of December 30, 2018.

Maturities

The following table presents the approximate annual maturities of outstanding long-term debt as of December 30, 2018, based upon our required payments, for the next five years and thereafter:

Payments Year (in thousands) 2019 $ 4,575 2020 — 2021 — 2022 — 2023 — Thereafter 740,543 Debt principal $ 745,118

6. INCOME TAXES

Income tax provision (benefit) consisted of:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Current: Federal $ 5,546 $ 15,042 State (429) 4,017 Deferred: Federal (961) 80,293 State (6,326) 6,107 Income tax provision (benefit) $ (2,170) $ 105,459

As of December 30, 2018, we completed our accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Tax Act and noted no significant adjustments were required. During 2018 and 2017, we re-measured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at which we expect them to reverse in the future.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

The effective tax rate expense (benefit) and the statutory federal income tax rate are reconciled as follows:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 Statutory rate (21.0)% (35.0) % State taxes, net of federal benefit (4.3) 2.4 Changes in estimates 0.8 — Changes in unrecognized tax benefits (4.3) 0.6 Other 2.8 0.3 Impact of valuation allowance 23.0 80.0 Impact of tax rate changes — (2.4) Stock compensation 0.3 0.6 Effective tax rate (2.7)% 46.5 %

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:

December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets: Compensation benefits $ 157,715 $ 144,084 State taxes 1,909 2,861 State loss carryovers 4,006 4,338 Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries 4,242 4,981 Deferred interest expense 15,342 — Other 3,407 2,945 Total deferred tax assets 186,621 159,209 Valuation allowance (143,764) (109,718) Net deferred tax assets 42,857 49,491 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and amortization 45,239 68,665 Debt discount 17,876 4,512 Deferred gain on debt — 4,376 Other 517 — Total deferred tax liabilities 63,632 77,553 Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) $ (20,775) $ (28,062)

The valuation allowance increased by $34.0 million and $105.8 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The timing of recording or releasing a valuation allowance requires significant judgment. A valuation allowance is required when it is more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets may not be realized. Establishment and removal of a valuation allowance requires us to consider all positive and negative evidence and to make a judgmental decision regarding the timing and amount of valuation allowance required as of a reporting date. The assessment takes into account expectations of future taxable income or loss, available tax planning strategies and the reversal of temporary differences. The development of these expectations involves the use of estimates such as operating profitability. The weight given to the evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified.

We performed an assessment of the deferred tax assets during the third and fourth quarters of 2017, weighing the positive and negative evidence as outlined in ASC 740, Income Taxes. As we incurred three years of cumulative pre-tax losses, such objective negative evidence limits our ability to give significant weight to other positive subjective evidence, such as projections for future growth and profitability. Accordingly, we recorded a valuation allowance charge of $192.3 million for 2017, which was recorded in income tax (benefit) expense on our consolidated statements of operations. During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, as a result of the Tax Act, principally the change to allow an indefinite carryforward period of net operating losses, we reassessed our analysis and decreased our related valuation allowance by $53.6 million. As of December 31, 2017, our valuation allowance against a majority of our net deferred tax assets was $109.7 million. As of December 30, 2018, we performed a review of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as well as the corresponding

50

THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017 valuation allowance amounts. Based on this review, we recorded an additional $34.0 million of valuation allowance due to changes to the deferred tax balances related to mastheads, tax amortizable goodwill and pension. Of this amount, $20.4 million was included as income tax expense and $13.7 million was recorded as an offset to other comprehensive income for changes related to our pension deferred tax asset

We will continue to maintain a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets until it is more-likely-than-not that these assets will be realized in the future under generally accepted accounting standards. If sufficient positive evidence, such as three-year cumulative pre-tax income, arises in the future that provides an indication that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets meet the more-likely-than-not standard, the valuation allowance may be reversed, in whole or in part, in the period that such determination is made.

As of December 30, 2018, we have net operating loss carryforwards in various states totaling approximately $281.3 million, which expire in various years between 2024 and 2038 if not used. We also have state tax credits of $0.5 million which expire between 2025 and 2028 if not utilized.

As of December 30, 2018, we had approximately $17.1 million of uncertain tax positions consisting of approximately $13.8 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits (primarily state tax positions before the offsetting effect of federal income tax) and $3.3 million in gross accrued interest and penalties. If recognized, approximately $6.9 million of the net unrecognized tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate, with the remainder impacting other accounts, primarily deferred taxes. It is reasonably possible that up to $1.9 million reduction of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest may occur within the next 12 months as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitations.

We record interest on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense, while penalties are recorded as part of income tax expense. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted below, we recorded interest expense (benefit), of ($0.6) million and $1.1 million for 2018 and 2017, respectively. We recorded penalty expense (benefit) of ($0.3) million and $0.3 million during 2018 and 2017, respectively. Accrued interest and penalties at December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were approximately $3.3 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits consists of the following:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Balance at beginning of fiscal year $ 20,764 $ 16,477 Increases based on tax positions in prior year 84 3,299 Decreases based on tax positions in prior year (4,261) — Increases based on tax positions in current year 1,124 1,642 Settlements (511) (164) Lapse of statute of limitations (3,378) (490) Balance at end of fiscal year $ 13,822 $ 20,764

As of December 30, 2018, the following tax years and related taxing jurisdictions were open:

Open Years Under Taxing Jurisdiction Tax Year Exam Federal 2015-2018 — California 2014-2018 — Other States 2006-2018 —

7. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

We maintain a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”), which covers certain eligible employees. Benefits are based on years of service that continue to count toward early retirement calculations and vesting previously earned. No new participants may enter the Pension Plan and no further benefits will accrue.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

We also have a limited number of supplemental retirement plans to provide certain key employees and retirees with additional retirement benefits. These plans are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis and the accrued pension obligation is largely included in other long-term obligations. We paid $8.9 million and $8.7 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively, for these plans. We also provide or subsidize certain life insurance benefits for employees.

The following tables provide reconciliations of the pension and post- retirement benefit plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of assets and funded status as of December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017:

Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Change in Benefit Obligation Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 2,080,013 $ 1,941,907 $ 7,625 $ 7,403 Interest cost 79,154 85,468 256 271 Plan participants’ contributions — — 10 12 Actuarial (gain)/loss (126,540) 152,353 (417) 707 Gross benefits paid (111,640) (99,715) (647) (768) Benefit obligation, end of year $ 1,920,987 $ 2,080,013 $ 6,827 $ 7,625

Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year $ 1,477,926 $ 1,335,435 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets (115,192) 233,495 — — Employer contribution 8,885 8,711 637 756 Plan participants’ contributions — — 10 12 Gross benefits paid (111,640) (99,715) (647) (768) Fair value of plan assets, end of year $ 1,259,979 $ 1,477,926 $ — $ —

Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Funded Status Fair value of plan assets $ 1,259,979 $ 1,477,926 $ — $ — Benefit obligations (1,920,987) (2,080,013) (6,827) (7,625) Funded status and amount recognized, end of year $ (661,008) $ (602,087) $ (6,827) $ (7,625)

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, consist of:

Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Current liability $ (11,510) $ (8,941) $ (1,015) $ (1,008) Noncurrent liability (649,498) (593,146) (5,812) (6,617) $ (661,008) $ (602,087) $ (6,827) $ (7,625)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, consist of:

Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net actuarial loss/(gain) $ 811,063 $ 757,096 $ (7,334) $ (7,820) Prior service cost/(credit) — — (4,456) (6,534) $ 811,063 $ 757,096 $ (11,790) $ (14,354)

The elements of retirement and post-retirement costs are as follows:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Pension plans: Interest Cost $ 79,154 $ 85,468 Expected return on plan assets (90,495) (89,569) Actuarial loss 25,181 20,335 Net pension expense 13,840 16,234 Net post-retirement benefit credit (2,726) (2,830) Net retirement expenses $ 11,114 $ 13,404

Our discount rate was determined by matching a portfolio of long-term, non-callable, high-quality bonds to the plans’ projected cash flows.

Weighted average assumptions used for valuing benefit obligations were:

Pension Benefit Post-retirement Obligations Obligations 2018 2017 2018 2017 Discount rate 4.42 % 3.91 % 4.15 % 3.60 %

Weighted average assumptions used in calculating expense:

Pension Benefit Expense Post-retirement Expense December 30, December 31, December 30, December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Expected long-term return on plan assets 7.75 % 7.75 % N/A N/A Discount rate 3.91 % 4.52 % 3.60 % 3.95 %

Contributions and Cash Flows

We did not have a required cash minimum contribution to the Pension Plan in 2018 or 2017 and made no voluntary cash contributions. We expect to have a required pension contribution of approximately $3.0 million under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act in fiscal year 2019.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Expected benefit payments to retirees under our retirement and post-retirement plans over the next 10 years are summarized below:

Retirement Post-retirement (in thousands) Plans (1) Plans 2019 $ 111,478 $ 1,036 2020 112,450 925 2021 117,079 822 2022 118,319 736 2023 120,408 656 2024-2028 621,158 2,241 Total $ 1,200,892 $ 6,416

(1) Largely to be paid from the qualified defined benefit pension plan.

Pension Plan Assets

Our investment policies are designed to maximize Pension Plan returns within reasonable and prudent levels of risk, with an investment horizon of greater than 10 years so that interim investment returns and fluctuations are viewed with appropriate perspective. The policy also aims to maintain sufficient liquid assets to provide for the payment of retirement benefits and plan expenses, hence, small portions of the equity and debt investments are held in marketable mutual funds.

Our policy seeks to provide an appropriate level of diversification of assets, as reflected in its target allocations, as well as limits placed on concentrations of equities in specific sectors or industries. It uses a mix of active managers and passive index funds and a mix of separate accounts, mutual funds, common collective trusts and other investment vehicles.

Our assumed long-term return on assets was developed using a weighted average return based upon the Pension Plan’s portfolio of assets and expected returns for each asset class, considering projected inflation, interest rates and market returns. The assumed return was also reviewed in light of historical and recent returns in total and by asset class.

As of December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the target allocations for the Pension Plan assets were 61% equity securities, 33% debt securities and 6% real estate securities.

The table below summarizes the Pension Plan’s financial instruments that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value hierarchy levels discussed above, as of the year ended December 30, 2018

2018 Plan Assets (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,366 $ — $ — $ — $ 9,366 Mutual funds 139,978 — — — 139,978 Common collective trusts — — — 1,045,628 1,045,628 Real estate — — 55,398 — 55,398 Private equity funds — — 9,609 — 9,609 Total $ 149,344 $ — $ 65,007 $ 1,045,628 $ 1,259,979

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

The table below summarizes changes in the fair value of the Pension Plan’s Level 3 investment assets held for the year ended December 30, 2018:

(in thousands) Real Estate Private Equity Total Beginning Balance, December 31, 2017 $ 58,050 $ 9,509 $ 67,559 Realized gains (losses), net 4,528 3 4,531 Transfer in or out of level 3 (8,601) — (8,601) Unrealized gains (losses), net 1,421 97 1,518 Ending Balance, December 30, 2018 $ 55,398 $ 9,609 $ 65,007

The table below summarizes the Pension Plan’s financial instruments that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value hierarchy levels discussed above, as of the year ended December 31, 2017:

2017 Plan Assets (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Total Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,498 $ — $ — $ — $ 8,498 Mutual funds 478,565 — — — 478,565 Common collective trusts — — — 923,304 923,304 Real estate — — 58,050 — 58,050 Private equity funds — — 9,509 — 9,509 Total $ 487,063 $ — $ 67,559 $ 923,304 $ 1,477,926

The table below summarizes changes in the fair value of the Pension Plan’s Level 3 investment assets held for the year ended December 31, 2017:

(in thousands) Real Estate Private Equity Total Beginning Balance, December 25, 2016 $ 57,531 $ 8,149 $ 65,680 Realized gains (losses), net 4,632 — 4,632 Transfer in or out of level 3 (4,614) — (4,614) Unrealized gains (losses), net 501 1,360 1,861 Ending Balance, December 31, 2017 $ 58,050 $ 9,509 $ 67,559

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying value of these items approximates fair value.

Mutual funds: These investments are publicly traded investments, which are valued using the Net Asset Value (NAV). The NAV of the mutual funds is a quoted price in an active market. The NAV is determined once a day after the closing of the exchange based upon the underlying assets in the fund, less the fund’s liabilities, expressed on a per-share basis.

Common collective trusts: These investments are valued based on the NAV of the underlying investments and are provided by the fund issuers. NAV for these funds represent the quoted price in a non-market environment. There are no restrictions on participants’ ability to withdraw funds from the common collective trusts. The attributes relating to the nature and risk of such investments are as follows:

Redemption Frequency (if Redemption Notice (in thousands) 2018 2017 Currently Eligible) Period U.S equity funds (1) $ 296,135 $ 353,555 Daily None International equity funds (2) 311,119 569,749 Daily - Monthly None Emerging markets equity funds (3) 153,927 — Daily None - 5-Day Fixed income funds (4) 284,447 — Daily - Semi-Monthly 2-Day - 5-Day Total $ 1,045,628 $ 923,304

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

(1) U.S. equity fund strategies - Investments in U.S. equities are defined as commitments to U.S. dollar-denominated, publicly traded common stocks of U.S. domiciled companies and securities convertible into common stock. The aggregate U.S. equity portfolio is expected to exhibit characteristics comparable to, but not necessarily equal to, that of the Russell 3000 Index.

(2) International equity funds strategies - Investments in international developed markets equities are defined as commitments to publicly traded common stocks and securities convertible into common stock issued by companies primarily domiciled in countries outside of the U.S.

(3) Emerging markets equity fund strategies - Investments in emerging equities may include commitments to publicly traded common stocks and securities convertible into common stock issued by companies domiciled in countries considered emerging by one or more benchmark providers.

(4) Fixed income fund strategies - Fixed income investments may include debt instruments issued by both U.S. and non-U.S. governments, agencies, “quasi Government” agencies, corporations, and any other public or private regulated debt security.

Real estate: In 2016 and 2011, we contributed certain of our real property to our Pension Plan, and we entered into leaseback arrangements for the contributed facilities. This contribution was measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs, which primarily consisted of expected cash flows and discount rate that we estimated market participants would seek for bearing the risk associated with such assets. The accounting treatment for both contributions is described below.

The contributions and leasebacks of these properties are treated as financing transactions and, accordingly, we continue to depreciate the carrying value of the properties in our financial statements. No gain or loss will be recognized on the contributions of any property until the sale of the property by the Pension Plan. At the time of our contributions, our pension obligation was reduced and our financing obligations were recorded equal to the fair market value of the properties. The financing obligations are reduced by a portion of the lease payments made to the Pension Plan each month and increased for imputed interest expense on the obligations to the extent imputed interest exceeds monthly payments.

Certain properties from the 2011 contributions have been sold by the Pension Plan and others may be sold by the Pension Plan in the future. In May 2018, the Pension Plan sold the Lexington real property for approximately $4.1 million and we terminated our lease on the property. The property was included in the real property contributions that we made to the Pension Plan in fiscal year 2011. As a result of the sale by the Pension Plan, we recognized a $0.2 million loss on the sale of the Lexington property in other operating expenses on the consolidated statement of operations in 2018.

Private equity funds: Private equity funds represent investments in limited partnerships, which invest in start-up or other private companies. Fair value was estimated based on our proportionate share of the capital in the private equity fund and was measured using Level 3 inputs.

401(k) Plan

We have a deferred compensation plan (“401(k) plan”), which enables eligible employees to defer compensation. During the fourth quarter of 2017, we announced the reinstatement of a company matching contribution program beginning with the first pay check paid in 2018. Our matching contributions during 2018 was $2.5 million and is recorded in our compensation line item of our consolidated statement of operations. Also, during the fourth quarter of 2017, we terminated the 401(k) plan supplemental contribution that was tied to performance.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

8. CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as reporting in the consolidated balance sheets to the total of the same such amounts show above:

December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Cash and equivalents $ 21,906 $ 99,387 Restricted cash included in other assets (1) 28,649 31,967 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 50,555 $ 131,354

(1) Restricted cash balances are certificates of deposits or time deposits secured against letters of credit primarily related to contractual agreements with our workers’ compensation insurance carrier and one of our property leases.

Cash paid for interest and income taxes and other non-cash activities consisted of the following:

Year Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Interest paid (net of amount capitalized) $ 43,313 $ 68,861 Income taxes paid (net of refunds) 13,935 12,437

Other non-cash investing and financing activities related to pension plan transactions: Reduction of financing obligation due to sale of real properties by pension plan (2,667) — Reduction of PP&E due to sale of real properties by pension plan (2,854) —

Other non-cash investing and financing activities related to pension plan transactions consists of the sale of one of the properties by the Pension Plan in 2018, described further in Note 7.

During 2018, we completed a debt for debt exchange of a majority of the existing 2027 Debentures and 2029 Debentures for newly issued Tranche A Junior Term Loans and 2031 Notes. This transaction included a non-cash discount of $68.7 million recorded within the gain on extinguishment of debt. See Note 5 for definitions and further information.

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have certain other obligations for various contractual agreements that secure future rights to goods and services to be used in the normal course of operations. These include purchase commitments for printing outsource agreements, planned capital expenditures, lease commitments and self-insurance obligations.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

The following table summarizes our minimum annual contractual obligations as of December 30, 2018:

Payments Due By Period (in thousands) 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter Total Purchase obligations (1) $ 35,371 $ 15,270 $ 9,742 $ 4,487 $ 3,394 $ — $ 68,264 Operating leases (2) Lease obligations 16,408 11,921 9,797 10,178 10,160 31,139 89,603 Sublease income (4,044) (1,306) (379) (334) (232) — (6,295) Net lease obligation 12,364 10,615 9,418 9,844 9,928 31,139 83,308 Workers’ compensation obligations (3) 2,340 1,507 1,118 864 696 5,761 12,286 Total $ 50,075 $ 27,392 $ 20,278 $ 15,195 $ 14,018 $ 36,900 $ 163,858

(1) Represents our purchase obligations primarily related to printing outsource agreements and capital expenditures for PP&E expiring at various dates through 2023.

(2) Represents minimum rental commitments under operating leases with non-cancelable terms in excess of one year and sublease income from leased space with non-cancelable terms in excess of one year. We rent certain facilities and equipment under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2023. Total rental expense, included in other operating expenses, amounted to $14.3 million and $13.4 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Most of the leases provide that we pay taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses applicable to the leased premises in addition to the minimum monthly payments. Some of the operating leases have built in escalation clauses. We sublease office space to other companies under non-cancellable agreements that expire at various dates through 2023. Sublease income from operating leases totaled $5.0 million and $4.8 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(3) We retain the risk for workers’ compensation resulting from uninsured deductibles per accident or occurrence that are subject to annual aggregate limits. Losses up to the deductible amounts are accrued based upon known claims incurred and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. For the year ended December 30, 2018, we compiled our historical data pertaining to the self-insurance experiences and actuarially developed the ultimate loss associated with our self-insurance programs for workers’ compensation liability. We believe that the actuarial valuation provides the best estimate of the ultimate losses to be expected under these programs. At December 30, 2018, the undiscounted ultimate losses of all our self-insurance reserves related to our workers’ compensation liabilities were $12.3 million, net of estimated insurance recoveries of approximately $1.9 million. At December 31, 2017, the undiscounted ultimate losses of all our self-insurance reserves related to workers’ compensation liabilities were $13.0 million, net of estimated insurance recoveries of approximately $2.2 million.

We discount the net amounts above to present value using an approximate risk-free rate over the average life of our insurance claims. For the years ended December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the discount rate used was 3.1% and 2.3%, respectively. The present value of all self-insurance reserves, net of estimated insurance recoveries, for our workers’ compensation liability recorded at December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, was $10.7 million and $12.1 million, respectively.

Legal Proceedings and other contingent claims

In December 2008, carriers of The Fresno Bee filed a class action lawsuit against us and The Fresno Bee in the Superior Court of the State of California in Fresno County captioned Becerra v. The McClatchy Company (“Fresno case”) alleging that the carriers were misclassified as independent contractors and seeking mileage reimbursement. In February 2009, a substantially similar lawsuit, Sawin v. The McClatchy Company, involving similar allegations was filed by carriers of The Sacramento Bee (“Sacramento case”) in the Superior Court of the State of California in Sacramento County. The class consists of roughly 5,000 carriers in the Sacramento case and 3,500 carriers in the Fresno case. The plaintiffs in both cases are seeking unspecified restitution for mileage reimbursement. With respect to the Sacramento case, in September 2013, all wage and hour claims were dismissed, and the only remaining claim is an equitable claim for mileage reimbursement under the California Civil Code. In the Fresno case, in March 2014, all wage and hour claims were dismissed, and the only remaining claim is an equitable claim for mileage reimbursement under the California Civil Code.

The court in the Sacramento case trifurcated the trial into three separate phases: independent contractor status, liability and restitution. On September 22, 2014, the court in the Sacramento case issued a tentative decision following the first phase, finding that the carriers that contracted directly with The Sacramento Bee during the period from February 2005 to July 2009 were misclassified as independent contractors. We objected to the tentative decision, but the court ultimately adopted it as final. In June 2016, The McClatchy Company was dismissed from the lawsuit, leaving The Sacramento Bee as the

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017 sole defendant. On August 30, 2017, the court issued a statement of decision ruling that the court would not hold a phase two trial but would, instead, assume liability from the evidence previously submitted and from the independent contractor agreements. We objected to this decision, but the court adopted it as final. The third phase has been scheduled to begin on May 20, 2019.

The court in the Fresno case bifurcated the trial into two separate phases: the first phase addressed independent contractor status and liability for mileage reimbursement and the second phase was designated to address restitution, if any. The first phase of the Fresno case began in the fourth quarter of 2014 and concluded in late March 2015. On April 14, 2016, the court in the Fresno case issued a statement of final decision in favor of us and The Fresno Bee. Accordingly, there will be no second phase. The plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal on November 10, 2016.

We continue to defend these actions vigorously and expect that we will ultimately prevail. As a result, we have not established a reserve in connection with the cases. While we believe that a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows from these claims is unlikely, given the inherent uncertainty of litigation, a possibility exists that future adverse rulings or unfavorable developments could result in future charges that could have a material impact. We have and will continue to periodically reexamine our estimates of probable liabilities and any associated expenses and make appropriate adjustments to such estimates based on experience and developments in litigation.

Other than the cases described above, we are subject to a variety of legal proceedings (including libel, employment, wage and hour, independent contractor and other legal actions) and governmental proceedings (including environmental matters) that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. We are unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible losses for these matters. However, we currently believe, after reviewing such actions with counsel, that the expected outcome of pending actions will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. No material amounts for any losses from litigation that may ultimately occur have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements as we believe that any such losses are not probable.

We have certain indemnification obligations related to the sale of assets including, but not limited to, insurance claims and multi-employer pension plans of disposed newspaper operations. We believe the remaining obligations related to disposed assets will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

As of December 30, 2018, we had $28.7 million of standby letters of credit secured under the LOC Facility. In January 2019, our standby letters of credit secured under the LOC Facility was reduced by $2.0 million to $26.7 million.

10. COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS

Common Stock

We have two classes of stock; Class A and Class B Common Stock. Both classes of stock participate equally in dividends. Holders of Class B are entitled to one vote per share and to elect as a class 75% of the Board of Directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number. Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one-tenth of a vote per share and to elect as a class 25% of the Board of Directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Class B Common Stock is convertible at the option of the holder into Class A Common Stock on a share-for-share basis.

The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are parties to an agreement, the intent of which is to preserve control of the Company by the McClatchy family. Under the terms of the agreement, the Class B shareholders have agreed to restrict the transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock to one or more “Permitted Transferees,” subject to certain exceptions. A “Permitted Transferee” is any of our current holders of shares of Class B Common Stock; any lineal descendant of Charles K. McClatchy (1858 to 1936); or a trust for the exclusive benefit of, or in which all of the remainder beneficial interests are owned by, one or more lineal descendants of Charles K. McClatchy.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Generally, Class B shares can be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and then transferred freely (unless, following conversion, the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock would constitute less than 25% of the total number of all our outstanding shares of common stock). In the event that a Class B shareholder attempts to transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the agreement, or upon the happening of certain other events enumerated in the agreement as “Option Events,” each of the remaining Class B shareholders has an option to purchase a percentage of the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock proposed to be transferred equal to such remaining Class B shareholder’s ownership percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. If all the shares proposed to be transferred are not purchased by the remaining Class B shareholders, we have the option of purchasing the remaining shares. The agreement can be terminated by the vote of the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock who are subject to the agreement. The agreement will terminate on September 17, 2047, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms.

Stock Plans

During 2018, we had two stock-based compensation plans, which are described below.

The McClatchy Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (“2004 Plan”) reserved 900,000 Class A Common shares for issuance to key employees and outside directors. The options vested in installments over four years, and once vested are exercisable up to 10 years from the date of grant. In addition, the 2004 Plan permitted the following type of incentive awards in addition to common stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”): restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock units and dividend equivalent rights. The 2004 Plan was frozen in May 2012 so that no additional awards could be granted under the plan.

The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2012 Plan”) was adopted in 2012 and 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock were reserved for issuance under the 2012 Plan plus the number of shares available for future awards under the 2004 Plan as of the date of May 16, 2012 (the shareholder meeting date) plus the number of shares subject to awards outstanding under the 2004 Plan as of May 16, 2012, which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of such shares. The 2012 Plan was further amended in May 2017, among other things, to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance by 500,000 shares. The 2012 Plan, as amended, generally provides for granting of stock options or SARs only at an exercise price at least equal to fair market value on the grant date; a 10-year maximum term for stock options and SARs; no re-pricing of stock options or SARs without prior shareholder approval; and no reload or “evergreen” share replenishment features.

Stock Plans Activity

In 2018, we granted 4,500 shares of Class A Common Stock to each non-employee director under the 2012 Plan. In accordance with The McClatchy Company Director Deferral Program (“Deferral Program”), five directors elected to defer issuance of their 2018 grants. As such, 27,000 shares were issued and 22,500 were deferred until the director terminates from the board of directors.

In 2017, we granted 4,500 shares of Class A Common Stock to each non-employee director under the 2012 Plan. Two directors elected to defer issuance of their 2017 grants under the Deferral Program. As such, 36,000 shares were issued and 9,000 were deferred until the director terminates from the board of directors. One of the directors who deferred his award in 2016 terminated from the board of directors during 2017 and therefore was issued his shares.

We granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) at the grant date fair value to certain key employees under the 2012 Plan as summarized in the table below. Fair value for RSUs is based on our Class A Common Stock closing price, as reported by the NYSE American, on the date of grant. The RSUs generally vest over three years after grant date but terms of each grant are at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

The following table summarizes the RSUs stock activity:

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair RSUs Value Nonvested — December 25, 2016 204,145 $ 18.17 Granted 254,405 $ 9.99 Vested (206,776) $ 16.14 Forfeited (5,980) $ 12.86 Nonvested — December 31, 2017 245,794 $ 11.55 Granted 278,130 $ 8.90 Vested (167,722) $ 11.38 Forfeited (24,602) $ 9.54 Nonvested — December 30, 2018 331,600 $ 9.56

For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, the total fair value of the RSUs that vested was $1.5 million. As of December 30, 2018, there were $1.9 million of unrecognized compensation costs for non-vested RSUs, which are expected to be recognized over 1.9 years.

When SARs are granted, they are granted at grant date fair value to certain key employees from the 2012 Plan. Fair value for SARs is determined using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses various assumptions, including expected life in years, volatility and risk-free interest rate. The SARs generally vest four years after grant date but the terms of each grant are at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors.

Outstanding SARs are summarized as follows:

Weighted Aggregate Average Intrinsic Value SARs Exercise Price (in thousands) Outstanding December 25, 2016 292,750 $ 50.29 $ — Expired (136,575) $ 71.07 Outstanding December 31, 2017 156,175 $ 32.12 $ — Expired (42,875) $ 32.09 Outstanding December 30, 2018 113,300 $ 32.13 $ — SARs exercisable: December 31, 2017 156,175 $ — December 30, 2018 113,300 $ —

As of December 30, 2018, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to SARs granted under our plans. The weighted average remaining contractual life of SARs vested and exercisable at December 30, 2018, was 2.1 years. The following tables summarize information about SARs outstanding in the stock plans at December 30, 2018:

Average Remaining Weighted Weighted Range of Exercise SARs Contractual Average SARs Average Prices Outstanding Life Exercise Price Exercisable Exercise Price $24.60 – $40.80 113,300 2.11 $ 32.13 113,300 $ 32.13 Total 113,300 2.11 $ 32.13 113,300 $ 32.13

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Stock-Based Compensation

Total stock-based compensation expense consisted of the following:

Years Ended December 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Stock-based compensation expense $ 2,057 $ 2,475

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) or 15d - 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at that time to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Forms.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended Rules 13a-15(f). The Company’s internal control system over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation and fair presentation of the Company’s financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

An internal control system over financial reporting has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management of the Company assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on management’s assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 30, 2018.

The McClatchy Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears in Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable.

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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 30, 2018.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 30, 2018.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 30, 2018.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 30, 2018.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 30, 2018.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) List of documents filed as part of this report: 1. Financial Statements Our consolidated financial statements are as set forth under Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.

2. Financial Statement Schedules All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements.

3. Exhibits

Incorporated by reference herein Exhibit Number Description Form Exhibit File Date 3.1 The Company’s Restated Certificate of 10-Q 3.1 June 25, 2006

Incorporation, dated June 26, 2006 3.2 The Company’s Bylaws as amended and restated 8-K 3.1 March 22, 2012

effective March 20, 2012 3.3 Amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation 8-K 3.1 June 7, 2016

of The McClatchy Company 10.1 Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 8-K 10.1 December 20, 2012 dated December 18, 2012, among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., Administrative Agent, Swing Line

Lender and L/C Issuer 10.2 Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amended and 8-K 10.1 October 23, 2014 Restated Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the Security Agreement, dated October 21, 2014, between the Company and Bank of America, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent. 10.3 Amendment No. 4 to the Third Amended and 8-K 10.2 January 11, 2017 Restated Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the Security Agreement, dated January 10, 2017, by and between the Company and Bank of

America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. 10.4 Collateralized Issuance and Reimbursement 8-K 10.2 October 23, 2014 Agreement, dated October 21, 2014, between the

Company and Bank of America, N.A 10.5 Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1997, between S-3 4.1 October 10, 1997 Knight- Ridder, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank of New York, as Trustee, [Knight-Ridder’s

Registration Statement on Form S-3] 10.6 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 1, 8-K 4 June 1, 2001 2001, Knight- Ridder, Inc.; The Chase Manhattan Bank of New York, as original Trustee; and The Bank of New York, as series Trustee

[Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on Form 8-K]

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Incorporated by reference herein Exhibit Number Description Form Exhibit File Date 10.7 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 8-K 4.1 November 4, 2004 November 1, 2004, among Knight-Ridder, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as series trustee for the Notes [Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on

Form 8-K] 10.8 Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 8-K 4.1 August 22, 2005 August 16, 2005, among Knight-Ridder, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as series trustee for the Notes [Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on

Form 8-K] 10.9 Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated June 27, 10-Q 10.4 June 25, 2006 2006, between the Company and

Knight-Ridder Inc. 10.10 Indenture dated December 18, 2012, among The 8-K 4.2 December 20, 2012 McClatchy Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. relating to the 9.00% Senior

Secured Notes due 2022 10.11 Registration Rights Agreement dated December 18, 8-K 4.3 December 20, 2012 2012, between The McClatchy Company and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, relating to the 9.00%

Senior Secured Notes due 2022 10.12 Term Loan Framework Agreement, dated as of 10-Q 10.1 May 10, 2018 April 26, 2018, between The McClatchy Company and Chatham Asset Management, LLC 10.13 Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2018, by 8-K 10.1 July 6, 2018 and among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Credit

Suisse Securities (USA) LLC 10.14 Amended and Restated Term Loan Framework 10-Q 10.1 August 9, 2018 Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2018, between the

Company and Chatham Asset Management, LLC 10.15 Credit Agreement dated July 16, 2018, among the 10-Q 10.2 August 9, 2018 Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as

administrative agent 10.16 Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 13, 10-Q 10.3 August 9, 2018 2018, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee for

the Notes 10.17 Indenture dated July 16, 2018, among the 10-Q 10.4 August 9, 2018 Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., relating to the 9.000% Senior Secured Notes

due 2026 10.18 Form of Global 9.000% Senior Secured Notes due 10-Q 10.5 August 9, 2018

2026 (included in Exhibit 10.17)

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Incorporated by reference herein Exhibit Number Description Form Exhibit File Date 10.19 Junior Lien Term Loan Agreement dated July 16, 10-Q 10.6 August 9, 2018 2018, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, the guarantors party thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon, N.A., as administrative agent, tranche A collateral agent and tranche B collateral

agent 10.20 Indenture, dated as of December 18, 2018, among 8-K 4.1 December 18, 2018 the Company, subsidiaries of the Company party thereto as guarantors and The Bank of New York

Mellon, as trustee and collateral agent

10.21 Form of Note (included in Exhibit 10.20) 8-K 4.2 December 18, 2018 10.22 * The McClatchy Company Management Objective 10-K 10.4 December 30, 2000

Plan Description. 10.23 * Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive 10-K 10.4 December 30, 2001

Retirement Plan 10.24 * Amendment Number 1 to The McClatchy Company 8-K 10.1 February 10, 2009

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan 10.25 * Amended and Restated McClatchy Company 8-K 10.1 July 29, 2011

Benefit Restoration Plan 10.26 * Amended and Restated McClatchy Company Bonus 8-K 10.2 July 29, 2011

Recognition Plan 10.27 * The Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as 10-Q 10.25 June 29, 2008

amended and restated 10.28 * The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive DEF Appendix A April 4, 2017

Plan, as amended and restated 14A 10.29 * Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under 8-K 10.2 May 19, 2017 The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive

Plan, as amended and restated 10.30 * Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement 8-K 10.1 May 19, 2017 under The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus

Incentive Plan, as amended and restated 10.31 * Form of Indemnification Agreement between the 8-K 99.1 May 23, 2005

Company and each of its officers and directors 10.32 * The McClatchy Company Director Deferral 10-K 10.30 December 27, 2015 Program under The McClatchy Company 2012

Omnibus Incentive Plan 10.33 * Form of Stock Award Deferral Election Agreement 10-K 10.31 December 27, 2015 under The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan 10.34 * The McClatchy Company Executive Supplemental 8-K 10.1 January 29, 2018

Retirement Plan 10.35 * Employment Agreement dated January 25, 2017 by 8-K 10.1 January 31, 2017

and between Craig I. Forman and the Company

10.36 * 2017 Senior Executive Retention Plan 8-K 10.1 February 28, 2017

10.37 * 2017 Retention RSU Award Agreement 8-K 10.2 February 28, 2017 10.38 * The McClatchy Company 2018 Senior Executive 8-K 10.1 November 13, 2018

Retention Plan 10.39 * Form of Amendment No. 1 to Executive 8-K 10.1 January 25, 2019 Employment Agreement, dated January 25, 2019, by and between Craig I. Forman and The McClatchy Company 10.40 * Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under 8-K 10.3 May 19, 2017 The McClatchy Company 2017 Senior Executive

Retention Plan

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Incorporated by reference herein Exhibit Number Description Form Exhibit File Date 10.41 Form of Contribution Agreement dated 8-K 10.1 February 12, 2016

February 11, 2016 10.42 Interests Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 17, 10-Q 10.1 June 25, 2017 2017, between CareerBuilder, LLC and the Sellers

and Purchaser named therein

21 Subsidiaries of the Company

23 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP 31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

under the Exchange Act 31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

under the Exchange Act 32.1 ** Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

Section 1350 32.2 ** Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

Section 1350 101.INS XBRL Instance Document 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 101.DEF XBRL Extension Definition Linkbase 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

* Compensation plans or arrangements for the Company’s executive officers and directors ** Furnished, not filed

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

68

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY (Registrant)

/s/ Craig I. Forman Craig I. Forman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director March 8, 2019

69

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date

President, Chief Executive Officer /s/ Craig I. Forman And Director March 8, 2019 Craig I. Forman (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ R. Elaine Lintecum Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer March 8, 2019 R. Elaine Lintecum (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Peter R. Farr Controller March 8, 2019 Peter R. Farr (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Kevin S. McClatchy Chairman of the Board March 8, 2019 Kevin S. McClatchy

/s/ Elizabeth Ballantine Director March 8, 2019 Elizabeth Ballantine

/s/ Leroy Barnes, Jr. Director March 8, 2019 Leroy Barnes, Jr.

/s/ Molly Maloney Evangelisti Director March 8, 2019 Molly Maloney Evangelisti

/s/ Anjali Joshi Director March 8, 2019 Anjali Joshi

/s/ Brown McClatchy Maloney Director March 8, 2019 Brown McClatchy Maloney

/s/ William B. McClatchy Director March 8, 2019 William B. McClatchy

/s/ Theodore R. Mitchell Director March 8, 2019 Theodore R. Mitchell

/s/ Clyde W. Ostler Director March 8, 2019 Clyde W. Ostler

/s/ Vijay Ravindran Director March 8, 2019 Vijay Ravindran

/s/ Maria Thomas Director March 8, 2019 Maria Thomas

70 Exhibit 21 THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES

The following is a list of subsidiaries of the Company as of December 30, 2018, omitting subsidiaries which, considered in the aggregate, would not constitute a significant subsidiary.

Name of Entity Jurisdiction of Organization Aboard Publishing, Inc. Florida Bellingham Herald Publishing, LLC Delaware Belton Publishing Company, Inc. Missouri Biscayne Bay Publishing, Inc. Florida Cass County Publishing Company Missouri Columbus-Ledger Enquirer, Inc. Georgia Cypress Media, Inc. New York Cypress Media, LLC Delaware East Coast Newspapers, Inc. South Carolina El Dorado Newspapers California Gulf Publishing Company, Inc. Mississippi HLB Newspapers, Inc. Missouri Idaho Statesman Publishing, LLC Delaware Keltatim Publishing Company, Inc. Kansas Keynoter Publishing Company, Inc. Florida Lee’s Summit Journal, Inc. Missouri Lexington H-L Services, Inc. Kentucky Macon Telegraph Publishing Company Georgia Mail Advertising Corporation Texas McClatchy Big Valley, Inc. California McClatchy Interactive LLC Delaware McClatchy Interactive West Delaware McClatchy International, Inc. Delaware McClatchy Investment Company Delaware McClatchy Management Services, Inc. Delaware McClatchy News Services, Inc. Michigan McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. Delaware McClatchy Property, Inc. Florida McClatchy Resources, Inc. Florida McClatchy Shared Services, Inc. Florida McClatchy U.S.A., Inc. Delaware Miami Herald Media Company Delaware N&O Holdings, Inc. Delaware Newsprint Ventures, Inc. California Nittany Printing and Publishing Company Pennsylvania Nor-Tex Publishing, Inc. Texas Oak Street Redevelopment Corporation Missouri Olympian Publishing, LLC Delaware Olympic-Cascade Publishing, Inc. Washington Pacific Northwest Publishing Company, Inc. Florida Quad County Publishing, Inc. Illinois San Luis Obispo Tribune, LLC Delaware Star-Telegram, Inc. Delaware Tacoma News, Inc. Washington The Bradenton Herald, Inc. Florida The Charlotte Observer Publishing Company Delaware The News and Observer Publishing Company North Carolina The State Media Company South Carolina The Sun Publishing Company, Inc. South Carolina Tribune Newsprint Company Utah Wichita Eagle and Beacon Publishing Company, Inc. Kansas Wingate Paper Company Delaware

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No. 333-181167 on Form S-8 and No. 333-47909 on Form S-3 of our report dated March 8, 2019, relating to the consolidated financial statements of The McClatchy Company, and the effectiveness of The McClatchy Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of The McClatchy Company for the year ended December 30, 2018.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Sacramento, California March 8, 2019 Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Craig I. Forman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The McClatchy Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 8, 2019 /s/ Craig I. Forman Craig I. Forman Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, R. Elaine Lintecum, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The McClatchy Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 8, 2019 /s/ R. Elaine Lintecum R. Elaine Lintecum Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report of The McClatchy Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Craig I. Forman, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: March 8, 2019 /s/ Craig I. Forman Craig I. Forman Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to The McClatchy Company and will be retained by The McClatchy Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

The foregoing certificate is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 10-K and shall not be considered filed as part of the Form 10-K.

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report of The McClatchy Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, R. Elaine Lintecum, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: March 8, 2019 /s/ R. Elaine Lintecum R. Elaine Lintecum Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to The McClatchy Company and will be retained by The McClatchy Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

The foregoing certificate is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form 10-K and shall not be considered filed as part of the Form 10-K.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

GENERAL OFFICE and DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Chairman of the Board SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION Directors Kevin S. McClatchy

The McClatchy Company Craig I. Forman Officers 2100 Q Street President and Chief Executive Sacramento, CA 95816 Officer, The McClatchy Craig I. Forman (916) 321-1844 Company President and Chief Executive www.mcclatchy.com Officer Elizabeth Ballantine President, EBA Associates R. Elaine Lintecum TRANSFER AGENT AND Vice President, Chief Financial REGISTRAR Leroy Barnes Jr. Officer and Treasurer Former Vice President and EQ Shareowner Services Treasurer, PG&E Corporation Scott Manuel P.O. Box 64874 Vice President, Customer and St. Paul, MN 55164-0874 Molly Maloney Evangelisti Product www.shareowneronline.com Former Special Projects (800) 718-2377 Coordinator, The Sacramento Billie McConkey Bee Vice President, Human Resources, INDEPENDENT AUDITOR Anjali Joshi General Counsel and Secretary Vice President of Product Deloitte & Touche LLP Management at Google Andrew Pergam 980 9th Street Vice President, News Sacramento, CA 95814 Brown McClatchy Maloney Operations and New Ventures Former Owner and Publisher, Olympic View Publishing and Mark Zieman FORM 10-K Owner, Radio Pacific Vice President, Operations

Upon request, the company will Kevin S. McClatchy provide, without charge, a copy of its Chairman, The McClatchy CERTIFICATIONS OF report on Form 10-K filed with the Company and Former Managing OFFICERS Securities and Exchange General Partner and Chief Commission. Requests should be Executive Officer, Pittsburgh The company submitted its Annual made in writing to: Pirates CEO Certification for 2018 to the NYSE American on June 26, 2018. The McClatchy Company William McClatchy The company has filed with the Attention: Investor Relations Entrepreneur, Journalist and Securities and Exchange Director Co-founder of Index Investing, Commission as Exhibits 31.1 and P. O. Box 15779 LLC 31.2 to its Annual Report on Form Sacramento, CA 95852 10-K for the fiscal year ended Theodore R. Mitchell December 30, 2018, the Former Under Secretary of the Certifications of its Chief Executive ANNUAL MEETING United States Department of Officer and Chief Financial Officer Education required in connection with that The annual meeting of shareholders report by rules 13a-14(a) and 15-d- will be held virtually by means of a Clyde Ostler 14(a) under the Securities Exchange live webcast on Thursday, May 16, Former Group Executive Vice Act. 2019, at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Access President, Vice Chairman of The McClatchy Company 2012 the meeting by visiting Wells Fargo Bank California Annual Report www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com and President of Wells Fargo /MNI2019. Family Wealth

Vijay Ravindran Co-founder and CEO of Floreo

Maria Thomas C-Level startup executive, former Chief Executive Officer at Etsy and Senior Vice President and General Manager of NPR Digital

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