content: <HTML>
  <HEAD>
  <TITLE>Form 8-K - February 11, 2005</TITLE>
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  <CENTER><FONT SIZE=4><B>UNITED STATES <BR>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:&nbsp;&nbsp;February 11, 2005</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>
  <BR>
  
  <table CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
    <tr>
      <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>
  <TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
       <TD ALIGN="LEFT"></TD><TD ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE="-1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <tr>
      <td WIDTH="60%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="CENTER"><B>435 North Michigan Avenue<BR>
      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>
    </tr>
  </table>
  <BR>
  
  <CENTER>Registrant's telephone number, including area code:&nbsp;&nbsp;(312) 222-9100</CENTER>
  <br>
  
  
  <P>Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
  satisfy the obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Flush" FSL="Default" -->
  <P>[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp; Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>
  
  <P>[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;  Soliciting material pursuant to
  Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </P>
  
  <P>[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;  Pre-commencement communications
  pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</P>
  
  <P>[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.13e-4(c)) </P>
  
  
  <HR SIZE=2>
  <page>
  
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Left Bold" FSL="Default" -->
  <A NAME=A001></A>
  <H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>ITEM 1.01.&nbsp;&nbsp;ENTRY INTO A
  MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT. </FONT></H1>
  
  <P><B><I>Stock options.</I></B><I>&nbsp;
  </I>On February 8, 2005, the Governance and Compensation Committee (the
  &#147;Committee&#148;) of the Board of Directors of Tribune Company (the
  &#147;Company&#148;) awarded stock options under the Tribune Company Incentive
  Compensation Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) to the following executive officers in the
  amounts indicated below: </P>
  
  <BR>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=700>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TH COLSPAN="1"><FONT SIZE="-1"></FONT></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN=1>Name<HR WIDTH=56% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN="1"><FONT SIZE="-1"></FONT></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN=1>Title<HR WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN="1"><FONT SIZE="-1"></FONT></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN=1>Options<HR WIDTH=95% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD WIDTH=2% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=20% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dennis J. FitzSimons</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=2% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=30% ALIGN=LEFT>Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=3% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=7% ALIGN=RIGHT>200,000</TD>
          <TD WIDTH=2% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Patrick J. Mullen</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>President, Tribune Broadcasting Company</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>75,000</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scott C. Smith</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>President, Tribune Publishing Company</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>85,000</TD>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Donald C. Grenesko</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>Senior Vice President / Finance &amp; Administration</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>75,000</TD>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  <BR>
  
  <P>A form Notice of Grant and Stock
  Option Term Sheet is attached as an Exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is
  incorporated by reference herein. </P>
  
  <P><B><I>Annual Management Incentive
  Plan Bonuses.</I></B><I>&nbsp; </I>On February 8, 2005, the Committee approved the
  following management incentive plan bonuses under the Plan for 2004: </P>
  
  <BR>
  <TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=550>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TH COLSPAN="1"><FONT SIZE="-1"></FONT></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN=1>Name<HR WIDTH=65% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN="1"><FONT SIZE="-1"></FONT></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN=1>Bonus<HR WIDTH=95% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD WIDTH=8% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=13% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dennis J. FitzSimons</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=3% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=5% ALIGN=RIGHT>$260,000</TD>
          <TD WIDTH=2% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Patrick J. Mullen</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>175,000</TD>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scott C. Smith</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>235,000</TD>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Donald C. Grenesko</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>125,000</TD>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  
  
  <P>For 2005, the Committee established
  that Operating Cash Flow and equity income will be the performance criteria used in
  determining management incentive plan bonuses under the Plan. The Plan defines
  &#147;Operating Cash Flow&#148; as net income before making any adjustment or deduction
  for interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, writedowns of intangible assets and
  non-operating gains and losses, and subject to adjustment to account for extraordinary
  items. </P>
  
  <P>The Committee also established 2005
  Operating Cash Flow and equity income goals for the Company&#146;s publishing and
  broadcasting business segments and for the Company on a consolidated basis. Management
  incentive plan bonuses for corporate executives, including Mr. FitzSimons and Mr.
  Grenesko, will be based on the achievement of consolidated goals, while management
  incentive plan bonuses for publishing and broadcasting executives, including Mr. Mullen
  and Mr. Smith, will be based on achievement of the goals for their respective business
  segment. The Committee may also consider executives&#146; individual performance in
  determining the amount of their management incentive plan bonus.  </P>
  
  <hr>
  <Page>
  
  
  
  
  <P><B><I>Base Salaries.</I></B><I></I>
  On February 8, 2005, the Committee also approved a 3% increase in the salaries of Mr.
  FitzSimons, Mr. Mullen and Mr. Grenesko. The Committee did not increase Mr. Smith&#146;s
  salary because it was previously increased in connection with his recent promotion to
  President of Tribune Publishing Company. Effective February 13, 2005, the salaries for
  these executives are as follows: </P>
  
  
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=550>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TH COLSPAN="1"><FONT SIZE="-1"></FONT></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN=1>Name<HR WIDTH=65% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN="1"><FONT SIZE="-1"></FONT></TH>
       <TH COLSPAN=1>Salary<HR WIDTH=95% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD WIDTH=8% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=13% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dennis J. FitzSimons</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=3% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD WIDTH=5% ALIGN=RIGHT>$955,000</TD>
          <TD WIDTH=2% ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Patrick J. Mullen</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>539,000</TD>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scott C. Smith</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>525,000</TD>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Donald C. Grenesko</TD><TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD>
       <TD ALIGN=RIGHT>527,000</TD>
          <TD ALIGN=LEFT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  <BR>
  
  <P>The Company will provide additional
  information regarding the compensation of its executive officers in its Proxy Statement
  for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is expected to be filed in April 2005. </P>
  
  <BR>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Left Bold" FSL="Default" -->
  <A NAME=A002></A>
  <H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL
  STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. </FONT></H1>
  
  <P>(c) Exhibits </P>
  
  <P>10.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Form of Notice of Grant and Stock Option Term Sheet </P>
  
  
  <BR>
  <hr>
  
  
  <page>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
  <A NAME=A005></A>
  <H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>SIGNATURE </FONT></H1>
  
  <P>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. </P>
  
  
  
  <table CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
    <tr>
      <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>
    <tr>
      <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="left">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;February 11, 2005  </td>
      <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><p ALIGN="left">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark W. Hianik</u><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          &nbsp;&nbsp;Mark W. Hianik<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vice President</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
  <BR>
  
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k021105.htm", "description": "FORM 8K - FEBRUARY 11, 2005", "secsgml_size_bytes": 11474}]
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": "05600122"}, "business-address": {"street1": "435 N MICHIGAN AVE", "street2": "STE 600", "city": "CHICAGO", "state": "IL", "zip": "60611", "phone": "3122229100"}}
text: Form 8-K - February 11, 2005
  UNITED STATES
  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:  February 11, 2005
  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
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
  satisfy the obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  [  ]   Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [  ]    Soliciting material pursuant to
  Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [  ]    Pre-commencement communications
  pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.13e-4(c))
  ITEM 1.01.  ENTRY INTO A
  MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.
  Stock options.
  On February 8, 2005, the Governance and Compensation Committee (the
  "Committee") of the Board of Directors of Tribune Company (the
  "Company") awarded stock options under the Tribune Company Incentive
  Compensation Plan (the "Plan") to the following executive officers in the
  amounts indicated below:
  Name
  Title
  Options
  Dennis J. FitzSimons
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
  200,000
  Patrick J. Mullen
  President, Tribune Broadcasting Company
  75,000
  Scott C. Smith
  President, Tribune Publishing Company
  85,000
  Donald C. Grenesko
  Senior Vice President / Finance & Administration
  75,000
  A form Notice of Grant and Stock
  Option Term Sheet is attached as an Exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is
  incorporated by reference herein.
  Annual Management Incentive
  Plan Bonuses.
  On February 8, 2005, the Committee approved the
  following management incentive plan bonuses under the Plan for 2004:
  Name
  Bonus
  Dennis J. FitzSimons
  $260,000
  Patrick J. Mullen
  175,000
  Scott C. Smith
  235,000
  Donald C. Grenesko
  125,000
  For 2005, the Committee established
  that Operating Cash Flow and equity income will be the performance criteria used in
  determining management incentive plan bonuses under the Plan. The Plan defines
  "Operating Cash Flow" as net income before making any adjustment or deduction
  for interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, writedowns of intangible assets and
  non-operating gains and losses, and subject to adjustment to account for extraordinary
  items.
  The Committee also established 2005
  Operating Cash Flow and equity income goals for the Company's publishing and
  broadcasting business segments and for the Company on a consolidated basis. Management
  incentive plan bonuses for corporate executives, including Mr. FitzSimons and Mr.
  Grenesko, will be based on the achievement of consolidated goals, while management
  incentive plan bonuses for publishing and broadcasting executives, including Mr. Mullen
  and Mr. Smith, will be based on achievement of the goals for their respective business
  segment. The Committee may also consider executives' individual performance in
  determining the amount of their management incentive plan bonus.
  Base Salaries.
  On February 8, 2005, the Committee also approved a 3% increase in the salaries of Mr.
  FitzSimons, Mr. Mullen and Mr. Grenesko. The Committee did not increase Mr. Smith's
  salary because it was previously increased in connection with his recent promotion to
  President of Tribune Publishing Company. Effective February 13, 2005, the salaries for
  these executives are as follows:
  Name
  Salary
  Dennis J. FitzSimons
  $955,000
  Patrick J. Mullen
  539,000
  Scott C. Smith
  525,000
  Donald C. Grenesko
  527,000
  The Company will provide additional
  information regarding the compensation of its executive officers in its Proxy Statement
  for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is expected to be filed in April 2005.
  ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL
  STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
  (c) Exhibits
  10.1      Form of Notice of Grant and Stock Option Term Sheet
  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 hereunto duly authorized.
  TRIBUNE COMPANY
  (Registrant)
  Date:  February 11, 2005
  /s/  Mark W. Hianik
  Mark W. Hianik
  Vice President