Who Owns The Telegraph?

The Telegraph was founded in 1855 by Arthur B. Sleigh as The Daily Telegraph and Courier, initially established as a lower-priced alternative to existing newspapers. The newspaper quickly gained popularity through its affordable pricing and accessible writing style.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, The Telegraph established itself as one of Britain's leading newspapers, known for its comprehensive news coverage, political reporting, and innovative journalism. The paper played significant roles in covering major historical events including wars, political changes, and social developments.

The newspaper underwent various ownership changes throughout the 20th century, including periods under Hollinger International and the Barclay family, who acquired it in 2004. The Barclay family owned TMG until financial difficulties led to RedBird IMI gaining effective control through a loan arrangement in December 2023. The British government blocked a formal transfer of ownership to RedBird IMI in spring 2024 over press freedom concerns.

In November 2025, RedBird Capital's separate bid collapsed and DMGT announced a £500 million deal to acquire TMG. The UK government launched a formal public interest investigation into the proposed acquisition in February 2026. The digital era has seen The Telegraph successfully develop a strong subscription model, with over one million digital subscribers.