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October 20, 2023

Telegraph and Spectator sale processes kick off

The titles were first seized by Lloyds Banking Group in June.

By Bron Maher

The auctions for Telegraph Media Group and The Spectator magazine have officially begun.

A release published on Friday morning said that “the boards of the parent companies of Telegraph Media Group Limited and The Spectator (1828) Limited announce that their advisers will today be launching a sale process for each of the businesses”.

It was reported earlier this week that the prior owners of The Telegraph and Spectator, the Barclay family, had offered Lloyds Banking Group £1bn to re-secure the titles.

Among the confirmed contenders for TMG and The Spectator are German publisher Axel Springer, Daily Mail publisher DMGT, former Telegraph editor Will Lewis, regional newspaper giant National World and Unherd and GB News investor Paul Marshall. Former Le Monde investor Daniel Křetínský, News Corp mogul Rupert Murdoch and former Mail Online editor Martin Clarke have also been reported to be interested in the titles.

Lloyds effectively repossessed The Telegraph and Spectator in June after determining a greater than £1bn debt owed to it by the Barclays had become unserviceable.

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In June Lloyds removed David Barclay’s sons Aidan and Howard from Telegraph Media Group’s board and put in two non-executive directors to represent the banking group.

[Read more: Race to buy The Telegraph – Who are the latest runners and riders?]

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
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