The current owner of The Sun is News Corp, a global media conglomerate led by Rupert Murdoch.
Understanding The Sun's Ownership Structure
The Sun, a widely recognized newspaper, is part of a larger corporate framework that ultimately points to News Corp as its proprietor. This structured ownership demonstrates how major media entities manage extensive portfolios of publications.
The Ownership Hierarchy
The path of ownership for The Sun flows through several distinct corporate entities, forming a clear chain of control:
- News Corp (Ultimate Owner):
- This is the overarching international media and information services company.
- News Corp is prominently led by Rupert Murdoch, a highly influential figure in the global media industry.
- News UK (Wholly Owned Subsidiary):
- News UK operates as a direct subsidiary of News Corp, indicating it is completely owned and governed by the latter.
- It functions as the parent company for News Group Newspapers, overseeing its operations within the United Kingdom.
- News Group Newspapers (Division of News UK):
- This entity is a specific division that operates under News UK.
- News Group Newspapers holds the direct responsibility for the publication of The Sun.
This layered corporate structure ensures that while the day-to-day operations of the newspaper are handled by its direct publisher, the overarching strategic decisions and ultimate control rest with News Corp.
Historical Context of The Sun's Ownership
The Sun newspaper's history is closely intertwined with its present ownership. Initially established in 1964 as a broadsheet, it served as the successor to the Daily Herald. A pivotal moment occurred in 1969 when the newspaper was acquired by its current owners. This acquisition led to its transformation into a tabloid format, a style it has maintained ever since, and marked its integration into Rupert Murdoch's expanding media empire. This move solidified The Sun's position as one of the most widely read newspapers in the UK.
For more information on News Corp's global media operations, you can explore their official News Corp website.