Who Owns MailOnline?
MailOnline is owned by Associated Newspapers, a subsidiary of dmg media within the Harmsworth family's Daily Mail and General Trust group. Launched in 2003 as the digital arm of the Daily Mail, it operates as a distinct free global news website and is among the most-visited English-language news sites in the world.
MailOnline Timeline
GlobalOfficial Website
Who Owns MailOnline?
- Parent Company: dmg media Limited
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| MailOnline | dmg media Limited | Wholly owned |
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
MailOnline on AmazonAdvertisement
History of MailOnline
- Founded: 2003
- Founders: Associated Newspapers (internal launch), Martin Clarke (founding publisher)
The site launched in 2003 as Mail Online, initially a straightforward digital edition of the newspaper. The decisive change came under publisher Martin Clarke, who repositioned it as an aggressive, visually driven free news site chasing global scale rather than a digital replica of the British tabloid.
Through the late 2000s and 2010s MailOnline built dedicated US editorial operations in New York and Los Angeles, covering American celebrity, crime and political news for a US audience alongside its British readership. Its "sidebar of shame" format, a dense right-column stream of celebrity imagery, became a defining and much-imitated web design.
By the mid-2010s it ranked among the world's most-visited English-language news sites, at times topping global news-domain rankings. Revenue followed the free scale model: programmatic and direct display advertising against enormous pageview volume.
As digital advertising economics tightened, the company layered a paid tier: Mail+ launched in 2020 offering exclusive content, the print editions digitally and ad-free options, growing to several hundred thousand subscribers. The brand also expanded into social video, claiming status as the largest news publisher on TikTok with more than 42 million followers across Mail accounts.
Advertisement
About dmg media Limited
Who owns dmg media?
dmg media is a wholly owned subsidiary of Daily Mail and General Trust plc, which is controlled by Rothermere Continuation Limited, the Harmsworth family holding company. Jonathan Harmsworth, 4th Viscount Rothermere, chairs DMGT.
Is dmg media publicly traded?
No. DMGT was listed on the London Stock Exchange for most of the twentieth century but was taken private in January 2022 when Rothermere Continuation Limited acquired the shares it did not already own.
What brands does dmg media own?
Its principal titles are Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, MailOnline and Mail+, Metro, The i Paper and New Scientist, along with associated apps, podcasts and printing operations.
When was dmg media founded?
The company traces its history to Associated Newspapers, founded in 1905 by the Harmsworth brothers. The dmg media name was adopted in 2013 when DMGT reorganized its consumer publishing assets.
Advertisement
Where is dmg media headquartered?
The company is based at 9 Derry Street in Kensington, west London, in the former Barkers department store building.
What is dmg media's relationship to the Daily Mail?
dmg media is the corporate publisher; the Daily Mail is its flagship newspaper. Associated Newspapers, a dmg media subsidiary, holds the publishing rights to the Mail titles and MailOnline.
Did dmg media buy the Telegraph?
No. The Rothermere interests were repeatedly linked to bids for Telegraph Media Group during its 2023 to 2025 ownership process, but no acquisition had been completed as of November 2026.
- Founded: 1905
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Revenue: Approximately £652 million (FY2024, reported)
- Employees: Approximately 3,000
Where Is MailOnline Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
MailOnline Categories & Tags
MailOnline Recalls & Controversies
MailOnline shares the litigation record of its publisher: Associated Newspapers' defeat in the Duchess of Sussex privacy case (content appeared across Mail platforms) and ongoing civil claims alleging unlawful information gathering, contested through 2026. It faces frequent accuracy complaints to IPSO, criticism over sensationalist framing, and advertiser blacklisting episodes that periodically dent revenue. Its aggregation practices have also drawn repeated complaints from rival publishers over content usage.
Advertisement
Brands Owned by dmg media Limited
Media EntertainmentDaily Mail
Owned by dmg media Limited
Britain's best-read mid-market newspaper, published since 1896 by dmg media, owned by the Harmsworth family.
newspaperuk-mediatabloid
Media EntertainmentThe i Paper
Owned by dmg media Limited
Britain's compact national newspaper, launched in 2010 by the Independent titles and owned by dmg media since 2019.
newspaperuk-mediacompact
Media EntertainmentMetro (UK)
Owned by dmg media Limited
Britain's free weekday commuter newspaper, published by dmg media since 1999 and distributed across UK cities and transport networks.
newspaperfree-newspapercommuter
Media EntertainmentThe Mail on Sunday
Owned by dmg media Limited
Sunday sister title to the Daily Mail, published since 1982 by Associated Newspapers within dmg media.
newspapersunday-paperuk-media
MailOnline Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Shared ownership with Mail print titles gives unmatched content depth
- +Private ownership permits long-term investment in global expansion
- +Free-scale model monetizes audiences subscription rivals cannot reach
- +Social distribution scale among the largest in news
Considerations
- -Free model is exposed to advertising market volatility
- -Reputation for sensationalism constrains premium advertising
- -Shared publisher litigation costs and reputational damage
- -Dependence on platform traffic (search, social) it does not control
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions About MailOnline
Sources & Further Reading
Advertisement
Competitors to MailOnline
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dmg Media | United Kingdom | 1896 | Mass market | United kingdom | All Genders | |
| Dmg Media | United Kingdom | 1982 | Mass market | United kingdom | All Genders | |
| Lbg Media | USA | 2011 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Bustle Digital Group | United States | 2013 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Bustle Digital Group | United States | 2012 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Bustle Digital Group | United States | 2002 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Media EntertainmentDaily Mail
Owned by dmg media Limited
Britain's best-read mid-market newspaper, published since 1896 by dmg media, owned by the Harmsworth family.
newspaperuk-mediatabloid
Media EntertainmentThe Mail on Sunday
Owned by dmg media Limited
Sunday sister title to the Daily Mail, published since 1982 by Associated Newspapers within dmg media.
newspapersunday-paperuk-media
Media EntertainmentBetches
Owned by LBG Media plc
Digital media brand for millennial and Gen Z women, founded in 2011, producing social content, podcasts, newsletters, books, and live events. Owned by LBG Media since 2023.
digital-mediawomens-mediapodcasts
Media EntertainmentBustle
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Flagship women's lifestyle site of BDG Media, founded by Bryan Goldberg in 2013 and read by millions monthly.
digital-mediawomens-medialifestyle
Media EntertainmentElite Daily
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Millennial lifestyle publication owned by BDG Media since 2017, previously sold by DMG Media.
digital-medialifestylemillennial
Media EntertainmentGawker
Owned by BDG Media, Inc.
Iconic gossip and media criticism site owned by BDG Media since 2018, currently dormant after two shutdowns.
digital-mediagossipmedia-criticism
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: MailOnline competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Advertisement
Independent Alternatives to MailOnline
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by dmg media Limited, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Media EntertainmentAxel Springer
Owned by Axel Springer SE
Berlin media company behind BILD, POLITICO, BUSINESS INSIDER, and Morning Brew, family-owned by Friede Springer and Mathias Döpfner since 2025.
publishingnews-mediagermany
Privately Owned
Axel Springer operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentBarstool Sports
Owned by Barstool Sports, Inc.
Sports and entertainment media brand owned outright by founder Dave Portnoy, who repurchased the company from Penn Entertainment for $1 in 2023.
sports-mediapodcastsdigital-media
Privately Owned
Barstool Sports operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentForbes
Owned by Forbes Media LLC
American business media brand founded in 1917, majority-owned by Hong Kong investment group Integrated Whale Media since 2014, based in Jersey City, New Jersey.
business-newsmagazinemedia
Privately Owned
Forbes operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentSimon & Schuster
Owned by Simon & Schuster LLC
Major American book publishing brand founded in 1924, owned by KKR since 2023 and a member of the Big Five trade publishers.
publishingbooksbig-five
Privately Owned
Simon & Schuster operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentAdvergic
Owned by Advergic
Islamabad-based ad optimization company founded in 2021, the first Google Certified Channel Partner in Pakistan.
ad-techad-optimizationheader-bidding
Privately Owned
Advergic operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentAEG
Owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc.
Global sports and live entertainment brand of Anschutz Entertainment Group, owner of major venues, festivals including Coachella, and sports teams such as the LA Kings and LA Galaxy.
live-entertainmentsportsvenues
Privately Owned
AEG operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Jobs at dmg media Limited
Advertisement
Latest News About MailOnline
Related Articles About MailOnline
View more articles
Company Deep Dive
The IAC Story: Building and Spinning Off Internet Brands
IAC has owned Ask.com, Match Group, Dotdash Meredith, and Angi. Its business model is simple and unusual: buy digital brands, build them up, then spin them off. Here is how it works.
Who Brands StaffMar 6, 2026
IacInternet BrandsDotdash Meredith
Brand Ownership
15 Magazine and Media Brands and Who Owns Them
Time is owned by a Salesforce billionaire. National Geographic is a Disney property. Sports Illustrated's editorial staff was laid off by a brand licensing company. Here are 15 media brands and who controls them in 2026.
Who Brands StaffFeb 27, 2026
Media BrandsMagazine OwnershipBrand Ownership
Brand Ownership
20 Brands Owned by IAC
IAC built Match Group, Expedia, and Ticketmaster — then spun them all off. What remains is Dotdash Meredith, Angi, and a portfolio generating $3.4 billion in revenue. Here are the 20 brands IAC owns right now.
Who Brands StaffFeb 25, 2026
IacBrand OwnershipInternet Brands
Advertisement
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Media & Entertainment category and related searches from other users.
Brandrecord-label
4AD
Influential British independent record label founded in 1979, known for a distinctive visual aesthetic and a roster spanning Cocteau Twins, Pixies, The National, and Grimes.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
independent-musicbritish-label
Brandtelevision
ABC
Major American broadcast television network with a rich history in news, entertainment, and sports programming, serving as a cornerstone of Disney Entertainment Television within The Walt Disney Company.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
broadcastingnetwork
Brandvideo-games
Activision Blizzard
Video-game publishing identity owned by Microsoft since its $68.7 billion acquisition closed in October 2023.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
game-publishingxbox