German media group to acquire UK's Telegraph for £575 mn

Axel Springer has outbid the Daily Mail’s owner in this deal

by e4m Desk
Published: Mar 7, 2026 8:25 AM | 2 min read

German media group Axel Springer has agreed to acquire the Telegraph Media Group (TMG) in an all-cash deal worth £575 million, overtaking a rival bid from Daily Mail owner Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT).

The agreement gives Axel Springer control of the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, two of the UK’s most prominent newspaper titles. The deal represents a premium over the £500 million offer that DMGT had agreed in November.

The acquisition marks a significant expansion for Axel Springer, which already owns major media brands, including Politico and Business Insider.

As per media reports, Chief executive Mathias Döpfner said the purchase fulfills a long-standing ambition to own the Telegraph.

Döpfner said Axel Springer would preserve the editorial independence of the publications while investing in their future growth.

Telegraph has been controlled by RedBird IMI, the UAE-backed investment group, which began exploring alternative buyers in recent weeks after Axel Springer signalled interest in submitting a higher offer.

A spokesperson for RedBird IMI said the agreement followed “swift and efficient negotiations,” adding that the group is now working with the UK government to secure approvals needed to complete the transaction.

DMGT expressed disappointment after losing the deal, saying the Telegraph titles would have prospered under its ownership and arguing that the UK’s regulatory framework places domestic newspaper groups at a disadvantage in takeover processes.

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