RedBird Capital Partners has reached an agreement to acquire full control of the Daily Telegraph, following a transaction that values the iconic UK broadsheet at approximately £500m, according to a report by Reuters.
The US-based private investment firm, which originally partnered with Abu Dhabi-backed International Media Investments (IMI) to acquire the Telegraph and The Spectator in 2023, will now assume sole control of the assets. The restructuring follows recent regulatory developments in the UK, where the government has moved to limit foreign state ownership in domestic media outlets.
RedBird IMI’s initial purchase triggered political scrutiny over media independence, prompting legislative intervention to curb state-backed influence in British press holdings. However, a recent policy shift allowing foreign state-owned entities to hold minority stakes of up to 15% in UK newspaper publishers has enabled a new ownership structure to proceed.
Under the revised deal, RedBird Capital – which provided 25% of the original acquisition funding – will become the majority controlling investor. IMI will retain a minority interest, subject to compliance with UK foreign ownership regulations.
RedBird Capital is currently in discussions with a select group of UK-based minority investors with domain expertise in print media, according to a firm statement.
Founded in 2014, RedBird Capital Partners manages approximately $12bn in assets globally, with a focus on sports, media, and financial services. Notable investments include AC Milan, Skydance Media, and a pending merger with Paramount Global.
