The San Francisco Examiner
For 35 years starting in 1965, the "San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner" operated under a Joint Operating Agreement whereby the "Chronicle" published a morning paper and the "Examiner" published in the afternoon. The "Examiner" published the Sunday paper's news sections and glossy magazine, and the "Chronicle" contributed the features. Circulation was approximately 100,000 on weekdays and 500,000 on Sundays. By 1995, discussion was already brewing in print media about the possible shuttering of the "Examiner" due to low circulation and an extremely disadvantageous revenue sharing agreement for the "Chronicle".
San Francisco Chronicle Magazine
In 2003, the magazine underwent another redesign. In addition to returning to weekly publication, restaurant critic Michael Bauer's weekly reviews moved to the magazine from Sunday Datebook and Merl Reagle's popular crossword puzzle returned to the magazine after being moved to the Datebook when the magazine became biweekly. A weekly San Francisco/Bay Area focused literary essay was introduced inside the back cover and featured essays by the likes of Garrison Keillor. The fashion and design departments of the magazine were visually overhauled for a "brand-new look." The magazine's paper stock was upgraded to a heavier grade for improved display of photography. According to published letters in the Chronicle, the 2003 redesign was quite popular among readers, with many specifically hailing the return of Reagle's crossword puzzle.