RedBird Capital Partners has struck a deal to acquire the Telegraph Media Group for £500 million ($674.2 million), marking the largest investment in U.K. print media in a decade and positioning the private equity powerhouse as one of Britain’s biggest media players.
With the acquisition of the 170-year-old newspaper brand, RedBird is planning significant capital investments in digital operations, AI-powered analytics, and international expansion — particularly targeting the U.S. market where the firm already has substantial media holdings.
“This transaction marks the start of a new era for The Telegraph as we look to grow the brand in the U.K. and internationally, invest in its technology and expand its subscriber base,” said Gerry Cardinale, RedBird’s founder and managing partner. “We believe that the U.K. is a great place to invest, and this acquisition is an important part of RedBird’s growing portfolio of media and entertainment companies in the U.K.”
The deal expands RedBird’s British media empire, which includes Premier League champions Liverpool FC, television production giant All3Media, Fulwell Entertainment (the company behind James Corden’s “Late” ventures), and video gaming studio Build a Rocket Boy. The firm is also set to acquire Channel 5 as part of Skydance Entertainment’s mega-merger with Paramount Global.
Anna Jones, CEO of Telegraph Media Group, said: “Telegraph Media Group is an award-winning news media organization, with exceptional journalism at its heart, supported by leading commercial expertise, a commitment to innovation and a laser focus on data to drive strategy. RedBird Capital Partners have exciting growth plans that build on our success – and will unlock our full potential across the breadth of our business.”
Chris Evans, editor of The Daily Telegraph, added: “The Telegraph has made enormous progress in recent years since the launch of its digital subscriptions strategy, thanks to the hard work of its brilliant staff. But there is much more that can be achieved. With the right plan and the right investment by ambitious new owners, this venerable title can look forward to an era of unprecedented success.”
RedBird’s flagship investments include Skydance Media (Larry and David Ellison) and its pending merger with Paramount Global, AC Milan, Fenway Sports Group (Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Pittsburgh Penguins, PGA Tour), the Yankees Entertainment & Sports (YES) Network (New York Yankees and Amazon), Artists Equity (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon), the United Football League (Disney/ESPN, Fox and Dwayne Johnson), the Indian Premier League’s Rajasthan Royals, and Formula One’s Alpine Racing team.
RedBird is bringing on select U.K.-based minority investors with print media expertise, while International Media Investments will participate as a minority stakeholder pending regulatory approval regarding foreign ownership thresholds.
Beyond entertainment, RedBird has built a $12 billion asset management business with significant holdings in financial services, including Arax wealth management and Aquarian insurance platform.
