The Times Union traces its beginnings to 1856, when the Morning Times was founded as a daily newspaper in Albany, N.Y. Following numerous name changes, mergers and transfers of ownership, William Randolph Hearst purchased the Times Union in 1924.

Today, the Times Union is the leading newspaper in New York's Capital Region, and timesunion.com is Upstate New York's most innovative news website. The newspaper is widely respected for its focus on local news and watchdog reporting, particularly on state government and politics. It has won numerous state and national awards for its work in print and online, and has repeatedly been named New York's "Newspaper of Distinction" by the state editors association. The Times Union also publishes several niche magazines and hosts major regional events, including the Great Northeast Home Show at the Times Union Center, which is the area's premier arena.