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  <TITLE>FORM 8-K</TITLE>
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  <CENTER><FONT SIZE=4><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT> <br>
  <FONT SIZE=3><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B></FONT></CENTER>
  
  <H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=4>FORM 8-K</FONT></H1>
  
  
  <CENTER><B>CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)<BR>
   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B></CENTER>
  <br>
  <br>
  <CENTER><B>DATE OF REPORT:  AUGUST 15, 2002</b></center>
  
  <br><center><b>Commission file number 1-8572</B></CENTER>
  <BR>
  <CENTER><FONT SIZE=4><B>TRIBUNE COMPANY</B></FONT> <br><FONT SIZE=3>(Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></CENTER>
  
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      <td WIDTH="60%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="CENTER"><B>Delaware</B><BR>(State or other
      jurisdiction of<BR>incorporation or organization)<P></td>
      <td WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="CENTER"><B>36-1880355</B><BR>
      (I.R.S. Employer<BR>
      Identification No.)<BR></td></tr>
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       <TD ALIGN="LEFT"></TD><TD ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE="-1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
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      <td WIDTH="60%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="CENTER"><B>435 North Michigan Avenue,
      Chicago, Illinois</B><BR>
      (Address of principal executive offices)<BR></td>
      <td WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="CENTER"><B>60611</B><BR>
      (Zip code)</td>
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  <CENTER><FONT SIZE=2>Registrant's telephone number, including area code:&nbsp;&nbsp;(312) 222-9100</FONT></CENTER>
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  <p><b>ITEM 9.&nbsp;&nbsp; REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.</b></p>
  
  <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On August 15, 2002, Moody's Investors Services (&#147;Moody's&#148;) downgraded the long-term senior unsecured debt rating of Tribune Company
  from A2 to A3 and its subordinated debt rating from A3 to Baa1.  In addition, Tribune's short-term debt rating has been lowered from P-1 to P-2.
  Moody's indicated that Tribune Company's debt ratings outlook is stable.  Tribune does not expect this downgrade to have a material
  impact on its borrowing costs or ability to obtain financing in the future.</p>
  
  
  
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  <CENTER><B>SIGNATURE</B></CENTER>
  
  <P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 thereunto
  duly authorized. </P>
  
  
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      <td WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;<P></td>
      <td WIDTH="60%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;  </TD></tr>
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      <td WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;<P></td>
      <td WIDTH="60%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TRIBUNE COMPANY<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          (Registrant)<BR>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</TD></tr>
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      <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="left">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;August 16, 2002</td>
      <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Crane H. Kenney</u><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          &nbsp;&nbsp;Crane H. Kenney<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Senior Vice President,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;General Counsel and Secretary</td>
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "TRIBUNE CO", "cik": "0000726513", "assigned-sic": "2711", "irs-number": "361880355", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1227"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-08572", "film-number": "02740997"}, "business-address": {"street1": "435 N MICHIGAN AVE", "street2": "STE 600", "city": "CHICAGO", "state": "IL", "zip": "60611", "phone": "3122229100"}}
text: FORM 8-K
  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:  AUGUST 15, 2002
  Commission file number 1-8572
  TRIBUNE COMPANY
  (Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  (State or other
      jurisdiction of
  incorporation or organization)
  36-1880355
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  435 North Michigan Avenue,
      Chicago, Illinois
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  60611
  (Zip code)
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (312) 222-9100
  ITEM 9.   REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
  On August 15, 2002, Moody's Investors Services ("Moody's") downgraded the long-term senior unsecured debt rating of Tribune Company
  from A2 to A3 and its subordinated debt rating from A3 to Baa1.  In addition, Tribune's short-term debt rating has been lowered from P-1 to P-2.
  Moody's indicated that Tribune Company's debt ratings outlook is stable.  Tribune does not expect this downgrade to have a material
  impact on its borrowing costs or ability to obtain financing in the future.
  SIGNATURE
  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 thereunto
  duly authorized.
  TRIBUNE COMPANY
  (Registrant)
  Date:  August 16, 2002
  /s/  Crane H. Kenney
  Crane H. Kenney
  Senior Vice President,
  General Counsel and Secretary