*Sunday Times*

*Sunday Times*

The *Sunday Times* is a major British Sunday newspaper published in the United Kingdom. It is part of News UK, a subsidiary of the global media conglomerate News Corp, founded by Rupert Murdoch. Known for its in-depth reporting and expansive supplements, it is the largest-selling British quality newspaper published on a Sunday, distinct from the daily Times newspaper despite historical connections.

History

The newspaper was founded in 1821 as *The New Observer*, before being renamed *The Independent Observer* and then acquiring its current name in 1822. It was purchased in 1893 by the Berry family, later Viscounts Camrose, who controlled it for much of the 20th century. A significant merger occurred in 1959 with Lord Kemsley's Kemsley Newspapers, which included titles like the Sunday Graphic. The paper was acquired by Lord Thomson in 1966, becoming part of Thomson Corporation. Its most transformative ownership change came in 1981 when it was purchased by Rupert Murdoch's News International, following his acquisition of Times Newspapers. This led to a prolonged industrial dispute at Wapping. Under Murdoch, it moved to tabloid format in 2018 after long being a broadsheet.

Content and sections

The publication is renowned for its extensive range of supplements and investigative journalism. Key regular sections include the News Review, Business, Sport, and Money. Its acclaimed Culture supplement covers arts, film, and television. The Style magazine focuses on fashion and lifestyle. It is particularly famous for its Sunday Times Magazine, a pioneering colour supplement launched in 1962. The newspaper also publishes influential lists such as the Sunday Times Rich List and the Sunday Times University Guide. Its investigative unit, Insight team, has broken major stories, including those related to the Thalidomide scandal and the Iran–Contra affair.

Political stance and controversies

Historically, the paper has been considered a centre-right publication, particularly since its acquisition by Rupert Murdoch. It has traditionally supported the Conservative Party, endorsing leaders from Margaret Thatcher to David Cameron, though it occasionally backed Tony Blair's New Labour. It has been involved in significant legal and ethical controversies, notably the cash-for-questions affair involving Mohamed Al-Fayed. Its reporting has also faced criticism, such as coverage of the Hillsborough disaster and its stance during the EU referendum. The paper has been subject to rulings by the IPSO and was implicated in the News International phone hacking scandal.

Circulation and readership

As the market leader in the British Sunday quality newspaper segment, it maintains a significant circulation advantage over rivals like The Observer and The Sunday Telegraph. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, its circulation, like most print titles, has declined in the digital era but remains robust through bundled subscriptions. Its readership demographic is typically affluent, with a high proportion of ABC1 readers. The newspaper's digital presence is anchored by its Sunday Times website and digital subscription package, often bundled with access to The Times via Times Media Limited.

Sister publications and international editions

As part of News UK, its primary sister publication is the daily Times. The company also publishes The Sun and formerly published the News of the World. It has launched several international editions, including *The Sunday Times* (South Africa), which is independently owned by Times Media Group and has no editorial connection. There was also a short-lived international edition printed in New York for the North American market. The brand licenses its name for publications like the Sunday Times in Perth, Western Australia.

Editors

The newspaper has been steered by numerous notable editors who have shaped its journalistic direction. Key figures include Harry Hodson (1950–1961), Sir Harold Evans (1967–1981), who oversaw major investigative work, and Andrew Neil (1983–1994), a defining editor during the Murdoch era. Later editors include John Witherow (1994–2013), who later became editor of The Times, Martin Ivens (2013–2020), and Emma Tucker, who departed in 2022 to edit The Wall Street Journal. The current editor is Ben Taylor.

Category:British Sunday newspapers Category:Publications established in 1821 Category:News UK