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: September 21, 1998 THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY ------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 1-9824 94-066175 - ----------------------------- ------------------ ----------------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction Commission (I.R.S. Employer of Incorporation) File Number) Identification Number) 2100 "Q" STREET, P.O. BOX 15779, SACRAMENTO, CA 95852 ---------------------------------------------------- --------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (916) 321-1846 ------------------------------ (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) -1- Item 8. CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR. --------------------- Effective as of December 1, 1998, The McClatchy Company approved a change in its fiscal year from a calendar year to a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31, beginning in 1998. Each quarter will consist of a 13-week period ending on a Sunday. In fiscal years consisting of 53 weeks, the final quarter will consist of 14 weeks. For 1998, the quarter end dates will be March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 27, 1998. For 1999, the quarter end dates will be March 28, June 27, September 26 and December 26, 1999. Since this change in fiscal year consists only of a change from the last day of December to a 52-53 week year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31, additional filing of financial information on Form 10-Q for a transition period is not required. -2- 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. Dated: October 5, 1998 THE McCLATCHY COMPANY By /s/ Karole Morgan-Prager -------------------------------------- Karole Morgan-Prager Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary -3-