[3][4] The newspaper has an online presence[5] and its staff also oversees a NASCAR news website,[6] and a corresponding syndicated feature, That's Racin'.

The Charlotte Observer also operates a food, drink and lifestyle vertical called CharlotteFive.

The Chronicle was sold to Joseph Caldwell in 1892, and began appearing as the Charlotte Daily Observer on March 13, 1892.

[9] The Observer eventually became the fourth-largest newspaper in the Knight Ridder chain (behind The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, Detroit Free Press and Miami Herald).

As of spring 2008, it is the fifth-largest newspaper in the McClatchy chain (behind The Kansas City Star, Miami Herald, Sacramento Bee and Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

The company cited pension obligations and excessive debt as the primary reasons for the filing.

[13] In July 2024, the newspaper announced it will decrease the number of print editions to three a week: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.