PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 2 DATED DECEMBER 1, 1998 TO PROSPECTUS DATED
AUGUST 28, 1998 AND PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 24, 1998
 
                           THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
                                  (FIXED RATE)
 
                  DUE MORE THAN NINE MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
 
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT: $49,500,000
 
PRICE TO PUBLIC: 100.00%
 
AGENT'S COMMISSION: 0.625%
 
NET PROCEEDS TO ISSUER: $49,190,625
 
SELLING AGENTS: MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER, CHASE SECURITIES INC.
                  SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE: DECEMBER 4, 1998
 
INTEREST RATE: 5.625%
 
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES: FEBRUARY 15 AND AUGUST 15, COMMENCING
                            FEBRUARY 15, 1999
 
STATED MATURITY DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2008
 
REGULAR RECORD DATES: FEBRUARY 1 AND AUGUST 1
 
SPECIFIED CURRENCY: U.S. DOLLARS
 
REDEEMABLE BY THE COMPANY: NO
 
REDEMPTION COMMENCEMENT DATE: NOT APPLICABLE
 
REDEMPTION PRICE: NOT APPLICABLE
 
REDEMPTION PERIOD: NOT APPLICABLE
 
REPAYABLE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER: NO
 
REPAYMENT DATES: NOT APPLICABLE
 
REPAYMENT PRICES: NOT APPLICABLE
 
FORM:
 
/X/ Global Note                  / / Certified
 
DISCOUNT RATE: NONE
DEFAULT RATE: NONE
 
OTHER PROVISIONS:
 
    The aggregate principal amount of this offering is $49,500,000 and relates
only to Pricing Supplement No. 2. Notes may be issued by The New York Times
Company in the aggregate principal amount of up to $300,000,000 or its
equivalent in one or more currencies or composite currencies. To date, including
this offering, an aggregate of $99,000,000 of Notes is outstanding.