Exhibit 10.19.1

                               THE NEW YORK TIMES
                   DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES DEFERRED EARNINGS PLAN

                                 Amendment No. 2

      THIS INSTRUMENT made as of June 17, 1999, by The New York Times Company
(the "Company").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

      WHEREAS, the Company maintains The New York Times Designated Employees
Deferred Earnings Plan, as amended from time to time (the "Plan");

      WHEREAS, pursuant to Article IX of the Plan, the Company has reserved the
right, by action of the ERISA Board Committee, to amend the Plan;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is amended as follows:

      FIRST: Effective immediately, Section 9.1 of the Plan is hereby amended by
adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:

            The above notwithstanding, effective June 17, 1999, the Employer
            shall have right to amend the Plan from time to time by an action of
            the ERISA Management Committee. All amendments shall be subject to
            the provisions of Section 9.3 of the Plan.

      SECOND: Effective immediately, Section 9.2 of the Plan is hereby amended
by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:

            The above notwithstanding, effective June 17, 1999, the Employer
            shall have the right to terminate the Plan at any time by an action
            of the ERISA Management Committee. Such termination shall be subject
            to the provisions of Section 9.3 of the Plan.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The New York Times Company has caused this Amendment
to be executed by its duly authorized officer and its corporate seal to be
affixed hereto as of the date first set forth above.


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                                        THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY


                                        By: /s/ Laura J. Corwin
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Laura J. Corwin, Secretary


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