Launching on August 9, 2010, it was owned by the Arlington-based Allbritton Communications as a locally focused companion to its other media properties in Washington, including Politico and WJLA-TV.
Despite having growing readership, TBD suffered from poor profitability, which led to a series of staff cuts and a shift in focus after only 6 months in operation.
Erik Wemple stated that the changes were made to "more align the properties and to get more uniformity of management and direction," and to allow WJLA to return to having its own distinct online identity catered more to its television audience.
As a result, Allbritton announced on February 23, 2011, that it would be making major changes to TBD.com and eliminating all but 8 positions at the site.
Existing TBD.com employees were required to re-apply for the 8 remaining positions at the site, while most of its former staff were reassigned to work on WJLA.com instead.
[9] Steve Buttry, named Editor & Publisher's 2010 Editor of the Year for his leadership in transforming a newsroom to adapt new technology and engage the community in deeper ways, was the site's director of community engagement.