The Sunday Times

John Walter II launched the publication in 1821 as The New Observer, renaming it The Sunday Times just a year later to establish its distinct identity. This London-based newspaper operates under Times Newspapers Ltd, which has been part of News UK since Rupert Murdoch acquired both this title and its daily sibling in 1966. The shared ownership structure created a dominant presence in the British quality press market that persists today.

The paper maintains a traditional broadsheet format despite industry shifts toward compact sizes in the early 2000s. Editors argue the larger page size preserves the depth required for their investigative reporting and long-form features. By March 2020, circulation reached 647,622 copies, exceeding the combined total of rivals The Sunday Telegraph and The Observer. That same month marked a significant milestone when the Sunday edition sold 75% more copies than The Times weekday version.

Recent financial reports indicate the brand returned to profitability in September 2026 after thirteen years of losses. Strategic cost-cutting measures and digital transformation efforts helped reverse the trend. In response to inflationary pressures, the cover price increased to £2.20 during the same period. Ben Preston joined the editorial team in September 2026 as editor, bringing experience from his previous role at Radio Times to strengthen lifestyle coverage. [edit]