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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AJnjnIpIZqQkeBEA75Fe9JQMUkXkTwJaXEvRbdmNymOPaavPIy/4OFyHlQtNIKpS
 izL5C+r0Z28DWa3ttF1xSQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001182489-04-000015.txt : 20040105
<SEC-HEADER>0001182489-04-000015.hdr.sgml : 20040105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040105164732
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001182489-04-000015
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KENNARD WILLIAM E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001198236

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05837
		FILM NUMBER:		04505720

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS
		STREET 2:		2001 EDMUND HALLEY DR
		CITY:			RESTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20191

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NEW YORK TIMES CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000071691
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NEWSPAPERS:  PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING [2711]
		IRS NUMBER:				131102020
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		229 W 43RD ST
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125561234

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		229 W 43RD STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000071691</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NEW YORK TIMES CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NYT</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001198236</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KENNARD WILLIAM E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE CARLYLE GROUP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1001 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WASHINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>DC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20004</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock Unit</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-31</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>332.0081</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>332.0081</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2853.8349</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Each Phantom Stock Unit credited to the reporting person's account under The New York Times Company Non-Employee Directors Deferral Plan, on 12/31/2003, based on the market price of $47.79 per share of Class A Common Stock.  Distribution in cash is generally made upon retirement.  This transaction involved a derivative security that does not have an exercise date or an expiration date.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Rhonda L. Brauer, Attorney-in-Fact for William E. Kennard</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2004-01-05</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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