8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 17, 2006

Knight-Ridder, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Florida	1-7553	38-0723657
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

50 W. San Fernando Street, Suite 1500, San Jose, California	95113
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (408) 938-7700

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On April 17, 2006, Knight-Ridder, Inc. issued a press release announcing the Company’s earnings for the quarter ended March 26, 2006. The Company also issued a press release on April 17, 2006 announcing the Company’s statistical report for the month ended March 26, 2006. Copies of these press releases are furnished as exhibits to this Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1	Knight-Ridder, Inc. Earnings Press Release dated April 17, 2006
Exhibit 99.2	Knight-Ridder, Inc. March Statistical Report Press Release dated April 17, 2006

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

KNIGHT-RIDDER, INC.
By:	/s/ Gary R. Effren
	Gary R. Effren
	Vice President/Finance

Dated: April 17, 2006

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Name
Exhibit 99.1	Knight-Ridder, Inc. Earnings Press Release dated April 17, 2006
Exhibit 99.2	Knight-Ridder, Inc. March Statistical Report Press Release dated April 17, 2006

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

KNIGHT RIDDER

50 WEST SAN FERNANDO ST.

SAN JOSE, CA 95113

Knight Ridder Reports First Quarter Earnings

SAN JOSE, April. 17, 2006 – Knight Ridder (NYSE:KRI) earned $.42 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2006. This compares to the first quarter of 2005 in which earnings per diluted share of $.79 were reported, but which included $.04 per diluted share of discontinued operations in Detroit and Tallahassee (sold in the third quarter of 2005) and $.10 per diluted share due to the benefit of capital loss carry-forwards.

Included in the results for the first quarter of 2006 are (a) expenses of $.06 per diluted share associated with the evaluation of corporate strategic alternatives, and (b) $.05 per diluted share for the recording of equity-based compensation.

The following numbers are all in comparison to the first quarter of 2005: Total operating revenue of $739.9 million was up $28.1 million, or 3.9%. Total advertising revenue of $582.7 million was up $24.6 million, or 4.4%. Total circulation revenue of $135.9 million was up 2.8%. Total costs of $651.5 million were up by $44.8 million, or 7.4%. Operating profit of $88.4 million was down $16.7 million, or 15.9%.

The results for the first quarter of 2006 were impacted by the following costs and benefits:

	Operating Profit				Net Income from Continuing Operations					EPS from Continuing Operations
	2006		2005		2006		2005			2006		2005
Consolidated, GAAP	$	88,424	$	105,103	$	28,377	$	57,079		$	0.42	$	0.75
Items included above:
Exploration of strategic alternatives	$	6,000			$	3,757	$	—		$	0.06	$	—
Equity compensation (FAS 123R)		5,000				3,131					0.05
Interest expense						20,523		12,089			0.30		0.16
Benefit of capital loss carry-forwards								(7,315	)				(0.10	)

Pro Forma

On Aug. 29, 2005, Knight Ridder acquired The (Boise) Idaho Statesman, The (Olympia, Wash.) Olympian and The Bellingham (Wash.) Herald in exchange for the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat and cash. Accordingly, results from these three acquired newspapers are included for the first quarter of 2006.

On a pro forma basis, as if these newspapers had been owned on Dec. 27, 2004, and removing results from discontinued operations in Detroit and Tallahassee for both years, operating revenue for the first quarter of 2006 was up 0.5%. Total advertising revenue was up 1.0%. Circulation revenue was down 1.2%. Total costs were up 4.3%. Operating profit was down 20.4%; excluding exploration of strategic alternatives and equity compensation, it was down 10.5%.

In the remainder of this report, variances provided will be pro forma unless otherwise indicated. All references to “comparable” and “pro forma” results are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that this use allows management and investors to analyze and compare the company’s results in a more meaningful and consistent manner. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to the company’s consolidated statements of income is attached.

Chairman’s Comments

Commenting on the results, Knight Ridder Chairman and CEO Tony Ridder said, “The quarter was challenging. With total ad revenue up only 1%, and with the persistence of the soft revenue patterns across the industry for many months now (employment and real estate excepted), we continue to look to the second half for improvement.

“Results were particularly weak in Akron and Philadelphia, where ad revenue was down 10.8% and 5.5%, respectively. The operating profit downturn at these two newspapers represented 37% of the downturn in GAAP operating profit and 53% of the downturn in adjusted pro forma operating profit, as indicated in the attachment. Pro forma operating profit was down by $22.7 million; excluding one-time items, it was down $11.7 million.

“On the other hand, results were encouraging at a number of the newspapers, including good gains in the markets that have tended to be strong for some time – overall ad revenue was up 8.6% in Contra Costa, 6.1% in San Jose, 4.6% in St. Paul, 4.1% in Miami and 3.8% in Fort Worth. In this respect, it is worth noting that the increase in advertising revenue for the 20 newspapers that The McClatchy Company intends to retain in its proposed acquisition of Knight Ridder, was 2.3% in the first quarter of 2006. Advertising revenue for the 12 newspapers that McClatchy intends to divest declined by 0.4%.

“Overall costs for the quarter, less fees for strategic alternatives and stock option expensing, were tight – up just 2.5% despite a 7.8% rise in newsprint, ink and supplements. (Without newsprint, costs would have been up 1.5%.)

“In that regard, I should also point out that because of the required accounting treatment for Detroit under the Joint Operating Agreement – showing only our share of

the profits – we saved nothing on expenses with its divestiture. As shown in the attached schedule, however, the acquisition of the three newspapers in the West, added expenses of $18.2 million on a pro forma basis in this quarter.

“The biggest negative for us in terms of earnings per share was a 73.6% rise in interest expense – the result of both increased borrowing last year and ongoing hikes in interest rates. Coupled with fees for our recent exploration of strategic options and the implementation, this year, of stock option expensing, we are looking at approximately $0.25 per diluted share that was not weighing on us in the same quarter last year.

“Two bright spots in the quarter were Knight Ridder Digital’s performance, with total online revenue of $51.1 million, up 36.5%, and targeted publication revenue of $50.1 million, up 23.9%.

“At the end of the quarter, we had 67.6 million actual shares outstanding. We did not repurchase any shares during the quarter.”

Comment on Operations

Steve Rossi, Knight Ridder senior vice president and chief financial officer, said: “For the first quarter of 2006, overall advertising trends were much as they have been for several months: Retail was down 0.8%, national was down 9.0% and classified was up 7.3%. Employment was up 14.6%; real estate was up 21.8%, and auto was down 11.4%.

“January advertising revenue was the strongest of the quarter – up 3.0%. February was the weakest – down 1.7%. March, up 1.6%, fell between the two.

“Retail advertising softened as the quarter progressed. It was up 2.1% in January, but down 1.0% in February and down 3.6% in March. Easter, which can be a catalyst for retail strength, may have contributed to stiff comparisons; last year it fell in late March. This year, for the quarter, retail was soft in all large markets except San Jose, Charlotte and Fort Worth.

“Within retail, home furnishings, grocery and office supplies all showed strength, up 2.7%, 3.4% and 10.7%, respectively. But department stores were soft, down 8.0% as a group, with Hecht’s and Dillard’s down 18.3% and 13.3%, respectively. Home electronics and general merchandise were also soft, both down 8.3% in the major markets. Local retailers, which comprise the mid-sized and smaller accounts – and approximately 57.5% of the category – were up 3.9% in the metro markets.

“National advertising was poor throughout the quarter, with January down 0.6%, February down 21.6% and March down 5.9%. Philadelphia, San Jose, Akron and Charlotte were all down double digits for the quarter. Miami was down high-single digits. Kansas City was down mid-single digits. St. Paul and Fort Worth were up 7.0% and 6.7%, respectively.

“Within national, all large segments were down in the metro markets. Telecommunications, which accounts for about 28% of the category, was down 6.1%. National auto, about 11% of the category, was off 35.7%, reflecting primarily a precipitous drop in General Motors spending. Entertainment, nearly 8% of the category, declined 16.9%. Airlines were down 29.5%. Preprints declined 6.6%. The balance of the category, combined, was up 1.7%.

“Classified strengthened during the quarter, up 5.5% in January, 6.0% in February and 10.7% in March. Very likely, the Easter shift from late March in 2005 to mid April in 2006 explains the relative strength this year. Easter Sunday is typically a poor day for classified.

“Within the category, employment was strong throughout the quarter – up 13.3% in January, 10.4% in February and 20.5% in March. Real estate was strong also: up 15.5% in January, 21.0% in February and 29.3% in March. Auto was consistent: down 9.9% in January, 13.1% in February and 11.7% in March.

“Other revenue was down 1.7% for the quarter, reflecting a drop in commercial printing.

“In the quarter, circulation copies were down 4.3% daily and 4.4% Sunday. Circulation revenue declined 1.2%.

“Effective cost control, as Tony noted, continued to be a very strong part of the Knight Ridder story this quarter. As anticipated, the per ton cost of newsprint was up 14.2% while consumption decreased 6.4%. Wages and employee benefits were up 2.4%; without stock option expensing, they were up 0.8%. Benefits were up 1.3%. Other operating costs were up 5.3%; without fees associated with the exploration of strategic alternatives, they were up 2.0%. Depreciation and amortization was up 5.8% as a result of beginning to depreciate the new plant in Kansas City.

“Losses from equity investments increased by 14.6%. The declines divided approximately evenly between our newsprint mills, which faced higher energy costs, and various Internet investments, including CareerBuilder – which experienced high promotional spending in the first quarter. The Seattle Times showed a positive swing.

“Current debt stands at $2.1 billion. The average cost of that debt during the quarter was 6.2%, versus an average cost at the same time last year of 5.4%. The tax rate during the first quarter was 37.4%.”

Certain statements contained in this report are forward-looking. They are based on management’s current knowledge of factors affecting Knight Ridder’s business. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated, depending upon – but not limited to – the pending acquisition of Knight Ridder by The McClatchy Company, effects of interest rates, of national and local economies on revenue, of the evolution of the Internet, of unforeseen changes in the price of newsprint and of negotiations and relations with labor unions.

Knight Ridder (NYSE: KRI) is one of the nation’s leading providers of news, information and advertising, in print and online. The company publishes 32 daily newspapers in 29 U.S. markets, with a readership of 8.1 million daily and 11.5 million Sunday. It has Web sites in all of its markets and a variety of investments in Internet and technology companies. It publishes a growing portfolio of targeted publications and maintains investments in two newsprint companies. The company’s Internet operation, Knight Ridder Digital, develops and manages the company’s online properties. It is the founder and operator of Real Cities (www.RealCities.com), the largest national network of city and regional Web sites in more than 110 U.S. markets. Knight Ridder and Knight Ridder Digital are headquartered in San Jose, Calif.

McClatchy plans to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 in connection with the merger transaction with Knight Ridder, and Knight Ridder and McClatchy plan to file with the SEC and mail to their respective stockholders an Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus in connection with the merger transaction. The Registration Statement and the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus will contain important information about Knight Ridder, McClatchy, the merger transaction and related matters. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully when they are available. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Knight Ridder and McClatchy through the Web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus when they become available from Knight Ridder by contacting Investor Relations at www.knightridder.com, by mail to Suite 1500, 50 West San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95113 or by telephone at 408-938-7838 from McClatchy by contacting Investor Relations at www.mcclatchy.com, by mail to 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 or by telephone at 916-321-1846.

Knight Ridder and its directors and executive officers also may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Knight Ridder in connection with the merger transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive officers in the merger transaction will be included in the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above. Additional information regarding these directors and executive officers is also included in Knight Ridder’s proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on or about March 24, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov and from Knight Ridder by contacting Investor Relations at www.knightridder.com, by mail to Suite 1500, 50 West San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95113 or by telephone at 408-938-7838.

McClatchy and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Knight Ridder in connection with the merger transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive officers in the merger transaction will be included in the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above. Additional information regarding these directors and executive officers is also included in McClatchy’s proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on or about March 28, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov and from McClatchy by contacting Investor Relations at www.mcclatchy.com, by mail to 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 or by telephone at 916-321-1846.

(FR)

#        #        #

For more information, call Vice President/Corporate Relations Polk Laffoon at 408-938-7838 (e-mail: plaffoon@knightridder.com), or Director/Corporate Communications Lee Ann Schlatter at 408-938-7839 (e-mail: lschlatter@knightridder.com), or visit Knight Ridder’s Web site at www.knightridder.com.

KNIGHT RIDDER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Unaudited - in thousands, except per share data)

	Quarter Ended
	March 26, 2006			March 27, 2005
OPERATING REVENUE
Advertising
Retail	$	252,336		$	245,462
National		87,030			95,059
Classified		243,295			217,558
Total		582,661			558,079
Circulation		135,912			132,270
Other		21,315			21,426
Total Operating Revenue		739,888			711,775
OPERATING COSTS
Labor and employee benefits		324,161			307,090
Newsprint, ink and supplements		106,994			96,393
Other operating costs		192,961			179,529
Depreciation and amortization		27,348			23,660
Total Operating Costs		651,464			606,672
OPERATING INCOME		88,424			105,103
OTHER EXPENSE
Interest expense		(32,785	)		(18,889	)
Interest income		49			44
Interest expense capitalized		1,460			1,679
Interest expense, net		(31,276	)		(17,166	)
Equity in earnings (losses), of unconsolidated companies and joint ventures		(10,461	)		(9,132	)
Minority interest in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		(1,638	)		(1,710	)
Other, net		267			632
Total Other Expense		(43,108	)		(27,376	)
Income before income taxes		45,316			77,727
Income taxes		16,939			20,648
Income from Continuing Operations		28,377			57,079
Income from discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations, net of income taxes		—			3,420
Net Income	$	28,377		$	60,499
Earnings Per Share
Basic:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.42		$	0.76
Income from discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations, net of tax		—			0.04
Net Income	$	0.42		$	0.80
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.42		$	0.75
Income from discontinued Detroit and Tallahassee operations, net of tax		—			0.04
Net Income	$	0.42		$	0.79
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.370		$	0.345
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000s)
Basic		67,081			75,562
Diluted		67,757			76,279

	1st Quarter
GAAP	2006		2005			$ Var			% Var
Operating profit	$	88,424	$	105,103		$	(16,679	)	(15.9	)
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		6,000		—			—		—
Equity Compensation		5,000		—			—		—
Adjusted operating profit	$	99,424	$	105,103		$	(5,679	)	(5.4	)
Net income	$	28,377	$	60,499		$	(32,122	)	(53.1	)
Discontinued operations		—	$	(3,420	)		—		—
Net income from continuing operations	$	28,377	$	57,079		$	(28,702	)	(50.3	)
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		3,757		—			—		—
Equity Compensation		3,131		—			—		—
Settlement of prior years’ tax matters		—		(7,315	)		—		—
Adjusted net income	$	35,265	$	49,764		$	(14,499	)	(29.1	)
EPS	$	0.42	$	0.79		$	(0.37	)	(47.0	)
Discontinued operations		—		(0.04	)		—		—
EPS from continuing operations	$	0.42	$	0.75		$	(0.33	)	(44.1	)
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		0.06		—			—		—
Equity Compensation		0.05		—			—		—
Settlement of prior years’ tax matters		—		(0.10	)		—		—
Adjusted EPS	$	0.52	$	0.65		$	(0.13	)	(20.0	)
	1st Quarter
Pro forma	2006		2005			$ Var			% Var
Operating profit	$	88,424	$	111,095		$	(22,671	)	(20.4	)
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		6,000		—			—		—
Equity Compensation		5,000		—			—		—
Adjusted operating profit	$	99,424	$	111,095		$	(11,671	)	(10.5	)
Net income from continuing operations	$	28,377	$	61,768		$	(33,391	)	(54.1	)
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		3,757		—			—		—
Equity Compensation		3,131		—			—		—
Settlement of prior years’ tax matters		—		(7,315	)		—		—
Adjusted net income	$	35,265	$	54,453		$	(19,188	)	(35.2	)
EPS	$	0.42	$	0.86		$	(0.44	)	(51.3	)
Discontinued operations		—		(0.05	)		—		—
EPS from continuing operations	$	0.42	$	0.81		$	(0.39	)	(48.3	)
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		0.06		—			—		—
Equity Compensation		0.05		—			—		—
Settlement of prior years’ tax matters		—		(0.10	)		—		—
Adjusted EPS	$	0.52	$	0.71		$	(0.19	)	(26.8	)

	1st Quarter
GAAP	2006			2005		$ Var			% Var
Labor & Employee Benefits	$	324,161		$	307,090	$	17,071		5.6
Equity Compensation		(5,000	)		—		—		—
		—			—		—		—
Adjusted Labor & Employee Benefits	$	319,161		$	307,090	$	12,071		3.9
Other Operating Costs	$	192,961		$	179,529	$	13,432		7.5
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		(6,000	)		—		—		—
		—			—		—		—
Adjusted Other Operating Costs	$	186,961		$	179,529	$	7,432		4.1
Total Operating Costs	$	651,464		$	606,671	$	44,793		7.4
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		(6,000	)		—		—		—
Equity Compensation		(5,000	)		—		—		—
Adjusted Total Operating Costs	$	640,464		$	606,671	$	33,793		5.6
Operating profit	$	88,424		$	105,103	$	(16,679	)	(15.9	)
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		6,000			—		—		—
Equity Compensation		5,000			—		—		—
Adjusted Operating profit	$	99,424		$	105,103	$	(5,679	)	(5.4	)
	1st Quarter
Pro forma	2006			2005		$ Var			% Var
Labor & Employee Benefits	$	324,161		$	316,481	$	7,680		2.4
Equity Compensation		(5,000	)		—		—		—
		—			—		—		—
Adjusted Labor & Employee Benefits	$	319,161		$	316,481	$	2,680		0.8
Newsprint, Ink and Supplements	$	106,994		$	99,214	$	7,780		7.8
		—			—		—		—
		—			—		—		—
Adjusted Newsprint, Ink and Supplements	$	106,994		$	99,214	$	7,780		7.8
Other Operating Costs	$	192,961		$	183,288	$	9,673		5.3
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		(6,000	)		—		—		—
		—			—		—		—
Adjusted Other Operating Costs	$	186,961		$	183,288	$	3,673		2.0
Depreciation and Amortization	$	27,348		$	25,845	$	1,503		5.8
		—			—		—		—
		—			—		—		—
Adjusted Depreciation and Amortization	$	27,348		$	25,845	$	1,503		5.8
Total Operating Costs	$	651,464		$	624,828	$	26,636		4.3
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		(6,000	)		—		—		—
Equity Compensation		(5,000	)		—		—		—
Adjusted Total Operating Costs	$	640,464		$	624,828	$	15,636		2.5
Operating profit	$	88,424		$	111,095	$	(22,671	)	(20.4	)
Exploration of Strategic Alternatives		6,000			—		—		—
Equity Compensation		5,000			—		—		—
Adjusted Operating profit	$	99,424		$	111,095	$	(11,671	)	(10.5	)

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

NEWS RELEASE

KNIGHT RIDDER

50 WEST SAN FERNANDO ST.

SAN JOSE, CA 95113

Knight Ridder Reports March Linage

SAN JOSE, April 17, 2006 – Three newspapers acquired at the end of August 2005 are included in the 2006 numbers, but not in the 2005 numbers. Results for Detroit and Tallahassee, which were sold in the third quarter of 2005, have been excluded from all periods.

Total advertising revenue was up 5.2% for March. Retail was flat, national was down 5.3% and classified was up 15.6%. Help wanted was up 25.7%, real estate was up 35.3% and auto was down 8.6%.

On a pro forma basis, that is, as if the three newspapers acquired in August had been with the company for March 2005 and 2006, total advertising revenue was up 1.6%. Retail was down 3.6%, national was down 5.9% and classified was up 10.7%. Help wanted was up 20.5%, real estate was up 29.3% and auto was down 11.7%.

The remaining numbers reported are GAAP. Total operating revenue was up 4.8% for the month.

Retail was up 10.0% in San Jose, 1.8% in Fort Worth and 0.8% in Charlotte. The other large markets were soft.

National was up 14.4% in Fort Worth and 6.9% in St. Paul, but down in the other large markets. The range of decline was wide: from 1.4% in Kansas City to 18.2% in San Jose. Philadelphia was down 3.7%.

Classified was up in the double digits in most large markets, in a range from up 10.3% in Fort Worth to up 33.1% in Contra Costa. Charlotte and Kansas City, the two markets that grew classified the least, were still up 3.3% and 5.4%, respectively. Akron classified was down 11.3%.

Other revenue was up 1.0%.

Circulation revenue was up 3.6% for the month, but would have been down 0.3% if the acquired newspapers were included in both periods.

Certain statements contained in this report are forward-looking. They are based on management’s current knowledge of factors affecting Knight Ridder’s business. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated, depending upon – but not limited to – the pending acquisition of Knight Ridder by The McClatchy Company, effects of interest rates, of national and local economies on revenue, of the evolution of the Internet, of unforeseen changes in the price of newsprint and of negotiations and relations with labor unions.

Knight Ridder (NYSE: KRI) is one of the nation’s leading providers of news, information and advertising, in print and online. The company publishes 32 daily newspapers in 29 U.S. markets, with a readership of 8.1 million daily and 11.5 million Sunday. It has Web sites in all of its markets and a variety of investments in Internet and technology companies. It publishes a growing portfolio of targeted publications and maintains investments in two newsprint companies. The company’s Internet operation, Knight Ridder Digital, develops and manages the

company’s online properties. It is the founder and operator of Real Cities (www.RealCities.com), the largest national network of city and regional Web sites in more than 110 U.S. markets. Knight Ridder and Knight Ridder Digital are headquartered in San Jose, Calif.

McClatchy plans to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 in connection with the merger transaction with Knight Ridder, and Knight Ridder and McClatchy plan to file with the SEC and mail to their respective stockholders an Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus in connection with the merger transaction. The Registration Statement and the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus will contain important information about Knight Ridder, McClatchy, the merger transaction and related matters. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully when they are available. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Knight Ridder and McClatchy through the Web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus when they become available from Knight Ridder by contacting Investor Relations at www.knightridder.com, by mail to Suite 1500, 50 West San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95113 or by telephone at 408-938-7838 from McClatchy by contacting Investor Relations at www.mcclatchy.com, by mail to 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 or by telephone at 916-321-1846.

Knight Ridder and its directors and executive officers also may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Knight Ridder in connection with the merger transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive officers in the merger transaction will be included in the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above. Additional information regarding these directors and executive officers is also included in Knight Ridder’s proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on or about March 24, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov and from Knight Ridder by contacting Investor Relations at www.knightridder.com, by mail to Suite 1500, 50 West San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95113 or by telephone at 408-938-7838.

McClatchy and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Knight Ridder in connection with the merger transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive officers in the merger transaction will be included in the Information Statement/Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above. Additional information regarding these directors and executive officers is also included in McClatchy’s proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on or about March 28, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov and from McClatchy by contacting Investor Relations at www.mcclatchy.com, by mail to 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 or by telephone at 916-321-1846.

(FR)

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For more information, call Vice President/Corporate Relations Polk Laffoon at 408-938-7838 (e-mail: plaffoon@knightridder.com), or Director/Corporate Communications Lee Ann Schlatter at 408-938-7839 (e-mail: lschlatter@knightridder.com), or visit Knight Ridder’s Web site at www.knightridder.com.

STATISTICAL REPORT

For the period of 2/27/06 - 03/26/06

	March		Percent Change		Year-to-Date		Percent Change
	2006	2005			2006	2005
REVENUE ($000)
Advertising
Retail	81,589	81,610	0.0	%	252,336	245,462	2.8	%
National	26,836	28,324	-5.3	%	87,030	95,059	-8.4	%
Classified	79,773	69,029	15.6	%	243,295	217,558	11.8	%
Total	188,198	178,963	5.2	%	582,661	558,079	4.4	%
Circulation	42,447	40,963	3.6	%	135,912	132,270	2.8	%
Other Revenue	7,054	6,986	1.0	%	21,315	21,426	-0.5	%
Total Operating Revenue	237,699	226,912	4.8	%	739,888	711,775	3.9	%
AVERAGE CIRCULATION
(000’s of copies including Boise, Olympia and Bellingham for all periods) - Note 1
Morning	3,150	3,332	-5.5	%	3,148	3,287	-4.2	%
Evening	150	160	-6.2	%	149	159	-6.1	%
Daily	3,300	3,492	-5.5	%	3,297	3,446	-4.3	%
Sunday	4,355	4,621	-5.8	%	4,271	4,468	-4.4	%
ADVERTISING LINAGE
(000’s of six-column inches) - Note 2
Full-Run ROP
Retail	999.9	1,007.6	-0.8	%	3,242.9	3,105.9	4.4	%
National	223.8	251.2	-10.9	%	717.5	809.3	-11.3	%
Classified	1,468.6	1,346.2	9.1	%	4,600.6	4,229.6	8.8	%
Total	2,692.3	2,605.0	3.3	%	8,561.0	8,144.8	5.1	%
Factored Part-Run ROP	196.1	185.6	5.7	%	591.5	582.1	1.6	%
TOTAL PREPRINTS INSERTED	604,091	579,443	4.3	%	1,881,821	1,828,272	2.9	%

Statistical Report

For the period of 02/27/06 - 03/26/06

	March		Percent Change		Year-to-Date		Percent Change
	2006	2005			2006	2005
FULL-RUN ROP ADVERTISING LINAGE DATA
By Markets (000’s of six-column inches) - Notes 2
Akron Beacon Journal	93.1	109.1	-14.7	%	286.9	346.5	-17.2	%
Charlotte Observer	109.4	122.8	-10.9	%	349.4	381.8	-8.5	%
Columbia State	93.3	86.3	8.1	%	285.8	262.7	8.8	%
Contra Costa	111.3	106.0	5.0	%	356.4	342.8	4.0	%
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, Journal Gazette	91.1	109.0	-16.4	%	300.7	324.1	-7.2	%
Fort Worth Star Telegram	161.8	157.4	2.8	%	508.2	506.5	0.3	%
Kansas City Star	140.8	148.6	-5.2	%	428.5	491.2	-12.8	%
Lexington Herald-Leader	80.2	85.3	-6.0	%	257.8	257.2	0.2	%
Miami Herald & el Nuevo Herald	176.2	153.7	14.6	%	569.9	521.8	9.2	%
Philadelphia Newspapers	170.0	150.0	13.3	%	497.5	531.1	-6.3	%
St. Paul Pioneer Press	84.2	93.1	-9.6	%	245.2	288.1	-14.9	%
San Jose Mercury News	149.2	152.3	-2.0	%	488.5	514.8	-5.1	%
Wichita Eagle	75.5	79.2	-4.7	%	228.4	230.4	-0.9	%
All Other Dailies	1,156.2	1,052.2	9.9	%	3,757.8	3,145.8	19.5	%
Total - Full-Run ROP	2,692.3	2,605.0	3.4	%	8,561.0	8,144.8	5.1	%

Note 1 - Includes circulation copies for Boise, Olympia and Bellingham for all periods.

Note 2 - Measured by individual Knight Ridder newspapers. Where necessary, certain previously reported linage has been restated to be consistent with measurement guidelines currently in use.

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For further information, call Polk Laffoon IV at 408-938-7838

STATISTICAL REPORT - PROFORMA

For the period of 02/27/06 - 03/26/06

	March		Percent Change		Year-to-Date		Percent Change
	2006	2005			2006	2005
REVENUE ($000)
Advertising - Note 1
Retail	81,589	84,601	-3.6	%	252,336	254,336	-0.8	%
National	26,836	28,527	-5.9	%	87,030	95,663	-9.0	%
Classified	79,773	72,056	10.7	%	243,295	226,736	7.3	%
Total	188,198	185,184	1.6	%	582,661	576,735	1.0	%
Circulation	42,447	42,568	-0.3	%	135,912	137,505	-1.2	%
Other Revenue	7,054	7,067	-0.2	%	21,315	21,684	-1.7	%
Total Operating Revenue	237,699	234,819	1.2	%	739,888	735,924	0.5	%
AVERAGE CIRCULATION
(000’s of copies) - Note 1
Morning	3,150	3,332	-5.5	%	3,148	3,287	-4.2	%
Evening	150	160	-6.2	%	149	159	-6.1	%
Daily	3,300	3,492	-5.5	%	3,297	3,446	-4.3	%
Sunday	4,355	4,621	-5.8	%	4,271	4,468	-4.4	%
ADVERTISING LINAGE
(000’s of six-column inches) - Notes 1 & 2
Full-Run ROP
Retail	999.9	1,109.5	-9.9	%	3,242.9	3,422.7	-5.3	%
National	223.8	257.0	-12.9	%	717.5	824.9	-13.0	%
Classified	1,468.6	1,449.0	1.4	%	4,600.6	4,554.6	1.0	%
Total	2,692.3	2,815.5	-4.4	%	8,561.0	8,802.2	-2.7	%
Factored Part-Run ROP	196.1	185.6	5.7	%	591.5	582.1	1.6	%
TOTAL PREPRINTS INSERTED	604,091	579,466	4.2	%	1,881,821	1,828,344	2.9	%

Statistical Report - Proforma

For the period of 02/27/06 - 03/26/06

	March		Percent Change		Year-to-Date		Percent Change
	2006	2005			2006	2005
FULL-RUN ROP ADVERTISING LINAGE DATA
By Markets (000’s of six-column inches) - Notes 2
Akron Beacon Journal	93.1	109.1	-14.7	%	286.9	346.5	-17.2	%
Charlotte Observer	109.4	122.8	-10.9	%	349.4	381.8	-8.5	%
Columbia State	93.3	86.3	8.1	%	285.8	262.7	8.8	%
Contra Costa	111.3	106.0	5.0	%	356.4	342.8	4.0	%
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, Journal Gazette	91.1	109.0	-16.4	%	300.7	324.1	-7.2	%
Fort Worth Star Telegram	161.8	157.4	2.8	%	508.2	506.5	0.3	%
Kansas City Star	140.8	148.6	-5.2	%	428.5	491.2	-12.8	%
Lexington Herald-Leader	80.2	85.3	-6.0	%	257.8	257.2	0.2	%
Miami Herald & el Nuevo Herald	176.2	153.7	14.6	%	569.9	521.8	9.2	%
Philadelphia Newspapers	170.0	150.0	13.3	%	497.5	531.1	-6.3	%
St. Paul Pioneer Press	84.2	93.1	-9.6	%	245.2	288.1	-14.9	%
San Jose Mercury News	149.2	152.3	-2.0	%	488.5	514.8	-5.1	%
Wichita Eagle	75.5	79.2	-4.7	%	228.4	230.4	-0.9	%
All Other Dailies	1,156.2	1,262.7	-8.4	%	3,757.8	3,803.2	-1.2	%
Total - Full-Run ROP	2,692.3	2,815.5	-4.4	%	8,561.0	8,802.2	-2.7	%

Note 1 - Proforma numbers includes Boise, Olympia and Bellingham for all periods as if they had been purchased in January 2005.

Note 2 - Measured by individual Knight Ridder newspapers. Where necessary, certain previously reported linage has been restated to be consistent with measurement guidelines currently in use.

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For further information, call Polk Laffoon IV at 408-938-7838