If you’re standing at a newsstand in London or scrolling through a digital app in Manhattan, the word "Times" carries a heavy weight. It feels permanent. Like it's always been there and always will be. But if you’ve ever stopped to wonder who publishes The Times, you’ve probably realized the answer depends entirely on which side of the Atlantic you’re standing on. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess for the uninitiated because we’re talking about two of the most powerful media dynasties in history.
Most people think of "The Times" as a single entity. It isn't.
In the UK, it’s the Murdoch empire. In the US, it’s the Ochs-Sulzberger family. Both have spent over a century fighting off rivals, surviving digital revolutions, and weathering scandals that would have buried lesser companies. They aren't just businesses; they are basically the last of the Great Media Houses.
The British Powerhouse: News UK and the Murdoch Legacy
In the United Kingdom, who publishes The Times is a question that leads straight to the door of News UK. This is a subsidiary of News Corp, the global behemoth founded by Rupert Murdoch.
Rupert Murdoch bought The Times and The Sunday Times back in 1981. It was a massive, controversial deal. People were worried. They feared a "tabloidization" of the paper of record. At the time, Murdoch already owned The Sun and the (now defunct) News of the World. The UK government almost blocked it, but they didn't.
How the UK Ownership Works Today
As of early 2026, the leadership has shifted, but the DNA remains the same. Rupert Murdoch stepped down as chairman of News Corp in late 2023, passing the torch to his son, Lachlan Murdoch.
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Lachlan now serves as the sole chair.
While the day-to-day operations are handled by Times Media (a division of News UK), the ultimate control sits with the Murdoch Family Trust. This trust is the real engine room. It’s what ensures the family keeps a tight grip on the editorial direction, even as the broader News Corp operates as a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ.
Interestingly, The Times and The Sunday Times are legally separate editorships. They share a building at 1 London Bridge Place—famously known as the "News Building"—but they don't share a newsroom. It’s a quirk designed to protect the unique voice of each paper, a condition that was part of the original 1981 acquisition.
The Gray Lady: The Ochs-Sulzberger Dynasty
Across the pond, the story of who publishes The New York Times is entirely different. It’s less about a global conglomerate and more about a 130-year-old family mission.
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The New York Times Company is the publisher. It’s a public company (NYT on the NYSE), but don't let the stock ticker fool you. This isn't a "normal" public company where the biggest checkbook wins.
The Dual-Class Power Play
The Ochs-Sulzberger family uses a dual-class share structure.
- Class A Shares: These are what you and I can buy. They give you a slice of the profits but very little say in how the place is run.
- Class B Shares: These are almost entirely held by the family trust. These shares allow the family to elect roughly 70% of the board of directors.
Basically, Jeff Bezos or an activist hedge fund could buy up half the company’s value and they still wouldn't be able to fire the publisher.
A.G. Sulzberger is the man in charge right now. He’s the chairman of the company and the publisher of the paper. He’s the fifth generation of his family to lead it since Adolph Ochs bought the struggling rag in 1896 for $75,000. Under his watch, the "Gray Lady" has turned into a digital juggernaut with over 12 million subscribers.
Why the Publisher Matters More Than Ever
You might think, "Who cares who signs the checks as long as the news is good?"
Well, publishers decide the "North Star."
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For the Murdochs, The Times of London has historically leaned center-right, reflecting a more populist, market-driven worldview. They’ve pushed for modernization and weren't afraid to break the unions back in the 80s during the famous Wapping dispute.
For the Sulzbergers, the mission is often described as "independent journalism without fear or favor." While critics often point to a liberal lean in the opinion pages, the family’s control acts as a shield. It prevents the paper from being gutted for short-term profits, which is exactly what happened to local papers across America when hedge funds like Alden Global Capital bought them.
Major Players in the Room (2026)
- Lachlan Murdoch: The current Chair of News Corp (UK side).
- A.G. Sulzberger: Chairman and Publisher (US side).
- Meredith Kopit Levien: CEO of The New York Times Company (handling the business side).
- Robert Thomson: CEO of News Corp (the man who actually runs the global Murdoch empire).
Actionable Insights: How to Use This Information
Knowing who publishes The Times isn't just trivia. It’s a media literacy tool.
- Check the Bias: When reading a political endorsement or a heavy economic piece, look at the owner. News UK titles will often reflect different geopolitical interests than NYT titles.
- Follow the Money: If you’re an investor, understand that The New York Times Company is a "subscription-first" business. Their health is tied to how many people pay for Wordle and Cooking as much as the news.
- Identify Local vs. Global: The Times (UK) is increasingly focusing on Times Radio and digital podcasts to compete with the BBC. The NYT is focusing on being the global "essential" subscription.
The next time someone asks about who publishes the times, you can explain that it’s a tale of two families: one Australian-born dynasty ruling from London and New York, and one Manhattan-based lineage that has guarded the "Gray Lady" for over a century.
To stay truly informed, you should compare the coverage of the same international event between both publications. It’s the fastest way to see how ownership and editorial "DNA" change the way a story is told to the world.