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The media landscape in the UK has seen plenty of shake-ups in recent years.
With newspapers competing for readers and influence, ownership changes have become a major talking point.
Fans of football and other sports will know how much coverage can shift depending on who controls the narrative.
The last few years have seen bidding wars and blocked deals, with questions around influence, funding, and regulation making headlines as often as the news itself.
Media companies are now under more scrutiny than ever.
Governments are cautious about foreign investment and influence, and journalists are looking for stability in their newsroom.
In an environment like this, any change in ownership of a major outlet is bound to make waves.
For Liverpool supporters, the news carries extra weight, given the club owners’ known interest in media and communications.
It has now been confirmed, as per the BBC, that the owners of Liverpool Football Club, through the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), have agreed to purchase the Daily and Sunday Telegraph for £500 million.
The deal comes after RedBird IMI, a joint venture between the UAE and US private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners, had its previous bid blocked over concerns of foreign state influence.
RedBird IMI has a direct connection to Liverpool FC.
The investment group has been a key part of the consortium that owns Liverpool, helping fund major transfers and infrastructure projects, including stadium expansion and youth academy development.
This explains why the Liverpool connection to DMGT is notable, these owners are now extending their reach from football into the media sector.
DMGT chairman Lord Rothermere commented on the acquisition, saying, “I have long admired the Daily Telegraph.”
“My family and I have an enduring love of newspapers and for the journalists who make them.”
He added, “The Daily Telegraph is Britain’s largest and best quality broadsheet newspaper and I have grown up respecting it.”
“It has a remarkable history and has played a vital role in shaping Britain’s national debate over many decades.”
Rothermere also spoke about the future, “Chris Evans is an excellent editor and we intend to give him the resources to invest in the newsroom.”
“Under our ownership, the Daily Telegraph will become a global brand, just as the Daily Mail has.”
The Telegraph will join DMGT’s portfolio alongside Metro, The I Paper, and New Scientist.
DMGT has pledged to invest heavily in the paper and expand its reach internationally, particularly in the US, while ensuring editorial independence.
A spokesperson for RedBird IMI confirmed the agreement, “DMGT and RedBird IMI have worked swiftly to reach the agreement announced today, which will shortly be submitted to the Secretary of State.”
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will now review the deal.
A spokesperson said, “The Secretary of State notes the announcement of a prospective new deal.”
“She will review any new buyer acquiring the Telegraph in line with the public interest and foreign state influence media mergers regimes set out in legislation.”
For Liverpool fans, the acquisition highlights the club owners’ growing footprint in UK media and signals a new chapter for one of Britain’s most historic newspapers.
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