Who owns which newspapers (UK and US): the media ownership map every PR professional should know
Most people don’t realise how closely linked the British press actually is. When you mention that one national paper sits under the same company as another with a completely different editorial tone, people are usually surprised. For anyone in PR, that context is everything. Knowing who owns what helps you understand why stories are written a certain way and how narratives spread across print, online and broadcast networks.
United Kingdom
News UK (part of News Corp)
Titles at a glance: The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, TalkTV, Times Radio, talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK.
About: News UK is the British division of Rupert Murdoch’s global News Corp. Its reach extends across newspapers, radio and television, meaning a single story can easily cross from print to broadcast. The Times titles maintain a broadsheet reputation, while The Sun dominates tabloid culture and sets much of the popular agenda.
PR note: News UK outlets often work in concert. A story placed in The Sun may be discussed on TalkTV the same evening, or a Times column may influence the weekend news cycle. When pitching, precision and timing matter more than volume.
DMG Media (Daily Mail & General Trust)
Titles at a glance: Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, MailOnline, Metro, i.
About: Owned by the Rothermere family, DMG Media combines traditional print influence with global digital dominance. MailOnline remains one of the world’s most-read English-language news sites. Its tone is emotional and reaction-driven, and it frequently sets the national mood before television follows.
PR note: The group responds strongly to sentiment and personality. Understanding the emotional tone of a story is critical. Their coverage can elevate or damage reputation in a single headline.
Reach plc
Titles at a glance: Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star, OK!, plus major regional titles such as the Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo, MyLondon and WalesOnline.
About: Reach owns more newspapers than any other UK publisher, creating one of the widest media networks in Europe. Its content model is built on scale, with stories adapted across multiple local titles within hours.
PR note: This can work for or against you. A well-handled story will travel quickly and strengthen visibility. A mistake will replicate across dozens of websites before you can correct it. Always keep official statements consistent across outlets.
Guardian Media Group and The Observer (now owned by Tortoise Media)
Titles at a glance: The Guardian (still under the Scott Trust). The Observer, sold to Tortoise Media in 2024.
About: In 2024, The Observer was sold to Tortoise Media, a digital-first newsroom founded by former BBC and Times executives. Tortoise calls itself a “slow news” platform, focusing on long-form discussion and membership-led journalism. The move from one of Britain’s oldest broadsheets to a younger start-up has drawn curiosity in the industry, particularly as Tortoise has a smaller newsroom and a very different editorial rhythm. Some recent reports have allegedly included disputed or inconsistent details, though the brand still trades on its historic credibility.
PR note: This sale shows how fast legacy publications can change character behind the scenes. Familiar names don’t always mean familiar standards, so verify tone, editors and style before engaging.
Telegraph Media Group
Titles at a glance: The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, Telegraph.co.uk.
About: Known for its conservative politics and business coverage, the Telegraph remains a key opinion-shaper in Westminster. In 2024 it agreed a sale to RedBird Capital with minority investment from Abu Dhabi’s IMI. The move reflects how global capital increasingly shapes British media ownership.
PR note: Telegraph journalists prefer substance and authority. They respond best to credible experts and well-prepared arguments over promotional language.
The Independent group
Titles at a glance: The Independent (digital only), Evening Standard (weekly print and online).
About: Both linked to Evgeny Lebedev’s publishing group, which includes Saudi minority investment through Sultan Abuljadayel. The Independent became fully digital in 2016 and focuses on commentary and opinion, while the Standard continues to mix lifestyle, celebrity and politics for London readers.
PR note: These outlets value perspective. For thought leadership or op-eds, they are ideal platforms, but avoid overt brand messaging.
GB News
Titles at a glance: GB News TV, GB News Radio, GBNews.com.
About: Frequently mistaken for a News UK brand, GB News is independently owned by All Perspectives Ltd, with investors including Sir Paul Marshall and the Legatum Group. The network was founded in 2021 as a self-described alternative to mainstream media, combining news commentary with talk-show format.
PR note: Its tone is direct and conversational. For certain audiences it’s influential, but participation should be carefully weighed against potential controversy.
The BBC
Titles at a glance: BBC News, BBC Online, BBC Radio, BBC World Service, BBC iPlayer and regional stations.
About: The BBC is the UK’s national public broadcaster, funded primarily through the licence fee rather than advertising. It remains the most widely trusted news source domestically and abroad, though often criticised for its attempts to balance political impartiality with modern audience expectations.
PR note: The BBC sets tone more than it follows it. Stories aired or verified by BBC News often become reference points for other outlets within hours. When engaging, be aware of strict editorial standards and verification processes.
Sky News
Titles at a glance: Sky News (24-hour UK channel), Sky News Digital, Sky News Radio and Sky Documentaries.
About: Sky News UK is part of Sky Group, owned by Comcast, the US-based parent company of NBCUniversal. It operates as a 24-hour rolling news channel and is regulated by Ofcom, which requires strict political impartiality. Sky’s UK newsroom focuses on live reporting and breaking news and is editorially independent from Sky’s entertainment or advertising operations.
PR note: Sky values quick access and clear visuals. If you can provide a credible spokesperson or expert fast, there’s a strong chance your story can feature on-air or online while it’s still breaking.
Sky News Australia - same name, completely different operation
Sky News Australia is owned and operated by News Corp Australia, part of Rupert Murdoch’s media network. It licensed the “Sky News” name years ago when Sky UK (then owned by Murdoch’s BSkyB) held a minority stake. That stake was later sold, but the licence agreement allowed the Australian network to keep using the brand.
Today, there is no editorial connection between Sky News UK and Sky News Australia. The Australian channel leans heavily into commentary and opinion-led programming rather than neutral reporting. It’s known for highly partisan segments such as ‘Lefties Losing It’, aimed at a conservative audience. In tone and regulation, it sits much closer to Fox News in the US than to its British namesake.
ITV News
Titles at a glance: ITV News, ITV regional bulletins, Good Morning Britain (ITV Studios), and ITVX digital news.
About: ITV is a commercial broadcaster funded primarily by advertising, owned by ITV plc. Its news operation is produced by ITN (Independent Television News), which also provides bulletins for Channel 4 and Channel 5. ITV News has a mainstream, middle-ground tone, often focused on national issues with strong human-interest angles.
PR note: ITV values concise visuals and clear storytelling. Producers tend to prefer direct access to spokespeople and straightforward statements over polished written pitches. For regional coverage, local ITV stations are approachable and quick to respond when a story has community relevance.
Channel 4 News
Titles at a glance: Channel 4 News (produced by ITN), plus digital coverage via social and YouTube.
About: Channel 4 is publicly owned but commercially funded, operating under a remit to deliver alternative, diverse and socially aware programming. Channel 4 News, produced by ITN, is known for its analytical and sometimes adversarial tone, particularly on politics, social justice and investigative topics.
PR note: Channel 4 responds best to stories with strong factual backing, ethical or societal angles and articulate spokespeople who can handle critical questioning. It’s less about product or brand promotion, more about meaningful debate and accountability.
United States
USA Today Co. (formerly Gannett)
Titles at a glance: USA Today and over 400 regional papers across the country.
About: Gannett is the largest newspaper owner in the United States, operating a vast local network under the USA Today umbrella. Its structure allows regional stories to be republished nationally within hours.
PR note: Think local first, national second. A community story can easily be elevated to national level through the Gannett system.
Hearst Newspapers
Titles at a glance: Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, San Francisco Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and others.
About: Hearst remains a privately held American giant, combining traditional city papers with major magazine and digital brands. It has maintained strong investigative and regional reporting standards while expanding commercially.
PR note: These outlets respond to storytelling grounded in people and place. They value emotional substance over PR gloss.
Alden Global Capital (Digital First Media and Tribune Publishing)
Titles at a glance: Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Boston Herald, Mercury News, Orlando Sentinel and others.
About: A hedge-fund-backed owner known for consolidation and cost-cutting, Alden controls many of America’s oldest local papers. Despite reduced resources, its reach remains significant, and its journalists often cover broad beats.
PR note: Provide clean, factual material. Overlong or unclear pitches rarely survive in these fast-moving, understaffed newsrooms.
McClatchy (owned by Chatham Asset Management)
Titles at a glance: Miami Herald, Sacramento Bee, Charlotte Observer, Kansas City Star and others.
About: McClatchy has a long history of local accountability journalism. After its acquisition by Chatham Asset Management, the company refocused on investigative and regional storytelling.
PR note: These are strong outlets for serious or ethics-led stories. Offer documentation, not slogans.
The New York Times Company
Titles at a glance: The New York Times, The Athletic.
About: Still owned by the Ochs-Sulzberger family, the Times remains the most influential newspaper in the United States. Its subscription model prioritises depth and exclusivity over speed.
PR note: Approach only with genuine news value. The Times prefers in-depth expertise to promotional access.
CNN
Parent company: Warner Bros. Discovery
About: CNN is a 24-hour cable and digital news network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. It was the first network to broadcast news around the clock and remains a dominant global brand, though its US audience has become more partisan over time. CNN positions itself as centrist but often faces criticism from both political sides.
PR note: CNN moves fast. It values visual assets and on-camera availability. When pitching, prepare credible guests who can speak clearly and calmly under pressure, as producers often book panels within hours of a breaking story.
Fox News
Parent company: Fox Corporation (Murdoch family)
About: Launched in 1996 by Rupert Murdoch, Fox News dominates American cable ratings. It caters primarily to conservative viewers and shapes political narratives across talk radio, digital and social media. Its influence on US public opinion is significant, often setting the agenda for right-leaning outlets.
PR note: Fox News prioritises opinion, debate and conflict-driven discussion. Pitches should focus on topical, polarising issues. Avoid corporate statements - they want spokespeople who can challenge or defend positions live.
MSNBC
Parent company: NBCUniversal (Comcast)
About: MSNBC positions itself as a progressive alternative to Fox News, with commentary-led programming and politically liberal hosts. It shares resources with NBC News but maintains a distinct editorial voice.
PR note: MSNBC focuses on politics, justice and cultural debates. For PR professionals, it suits policy-driven campaigns or issues-based advocacy more than brand promotion.
ABC News
Parent company: The Walt Disney Company
About: ABC is one of America’s original broadcast networks, known for flagship shows like Good Morning America and World News Tonight. It combines traditional reporting with lifestyle and entertainment coverage.
PR note: ABC is accessible but selective. Producers want emotionally engaging stories, strong visuals and clear real-world impact - anything that humanises an issue plays well here.
CBS News
Parent company: Paramount Global
About: CBS is one of the oldest news divisions in the United States, respected for programmes like 60 Minutes and CBS Mornings. Its tone is traditional and fact-focused, with strong investigative credentials.
PR note: CBS prioritises credibility. Think expert interviews, hard data and long-term issues rather than one-day trends.
NBC News
Parent company: NBCUniversal (owned by Comcast)
About: NBC News sits within the same corporate family as Universal Pictures, Universal Studios and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. All of these fall under Comcast’s vast entertainment portfolio, which combines news, film, theme parks and television. NBC News itself remains one of the most established American broadcast networks, known for programmes like NBC Nightly News and Meet the Press. Its mix of traditional journalism and modern digital arms such as NBC News NOW and Peacock makes it a key player in shaping US media narratives.
PR note: Because NBC shares infrastructure with major entertainment brands, there are crossover opportunities between news, culture and entertainment coverage. When pitching, keep in mind that NBC values stories that feel current, visual and relevant to both mainstream and pop culture audiences.
Why this matters for PR
Map ownership before you pitch. A story in one outlet can instantly spread to others under the same corporate roof. Knowing this helps you plan angles that work across audiences rather than tailoring for just one title.
Expect shared content. Large media groups frequently repurpose articles. If your client’s quote or photo appears elsewhere, make sure it reads well out of context and still fits the wider story.
Be aware of ownership changes. As seen with The Observer’s sale to Tortoise, editorial identity can shift quickly. Keeping an eye on who controls a publication helps you understand how priorities or tone might evolve.
Research tone and readership. Two titles under the same owner can have entirely different audiences. The Mirror and the Express, for example, both sit within Reach but attract very different readers. Pitch accordingly.
Use ownership to your advantage. If you secure a feature with one paper, follow up with its sister titles or digital platforms, which often share resources and are open to adapted versions of the same story.
Understand editorial hierarchy. Many groups share editors or have centralised planning desks that approve stories across multiple titles. Knowing where those decisions are made can speed up access or influence which newsroom you approach first.
Monitor cross-media influence. Some owners control both print and broadcast arms (for example, News UK). A single interview or article can be repackaged into radio, podcast or TV discussion. Prepare consistent messaging across all formats.
Think strategy, not silo. Understanding who owns what helps you predict tone, anticipate coverage patterns, and build stronger long-term media relationships.