Investment firm RedBird Capital Partners announced today its agreement to acquire the Telegraph Media Group in a £500 million ($675 million) transaction. This landmark deal comes as the UK government moves to relax foreign-ownership rules for British newspapers, enabling new investment opportunities in the media sector.
RedBird Capital Partners will become the sole controlling owner of the Telegraph’s daily and Sunday newspapers. Its Abu Dhabi-backed subsidiary, RedBird IMI, will take a minority stake in the publisher. The acquisition is contingent on the passage of proposed government legislation allowing limited foreign state investment in British media.
Gerry Cardinale, founder and managing partner of RedBird, said, “This deal marks the start of a new era for The Telegraph as we look to grow the brand both in the UK and internationally.”
The government’s relaxed ownership rules include a cap limiting state-owned investors to 15% of voting rights in a newspaper. These changes follow earlier legislation introduced to prevent foreign state control, reflecting a balance between securing investment and safeguarding editorial independence.
RedBird IMI’s previous attempt to acquire the Telegraph in 2024 was halted by prior legislation. However, the current shift in policy has paved the way for renewed investment in the publication.
The transaction highlights significant developments in UK media ownership as the government seeks to foster investment while maintaining journalistic integrity.
