German media conglomerate Axel Springer announced Friday that it was purchasing the UK’s Telegraph Media Group for £575 million, in a proposed deal subject to approval by UK authorities.Axel Springer, which owns POLITICO, said it was buying the right-leaning British publication. The company said the transaction required clearance from UK regulators.In a statement, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner said, “more than 20 years ago, we tried to acquire The Telegraph and did not succeed. We have admired this great publication for decades. Now our dream comes true.”He added: “We want to help it become the most read and intellectually inspiring center-right media outlet in the English-speaking world.”Axel Springer was not the only media company interested in purchasing the Telegraph, as the Daily Mail & General Trust had proposed a £500 million takeover.Döpfner added: “The Telegraph stands for freedom, personal responsibility, democratic values and a belief in open societies and market economies. These convictions closely align with our Axel Springer essential values.”A spokesperson for the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which oversees media mergers in the UK on competition and foreign influence grounds, said Friday: “We note the announcement today on the sale of Telegraph Media Group. The Secretary of State will, as she has throughout, follow the established regulatory process and assess the new deal proposed. We will keep Parliament updated on this process.”Döpfner’s statement said that the buyer and seller “believe that the transaction is fully compliant with the UK’s Foreign State Influence regime.”
