What is the most popular newspaper in the UK?

Asked by: Ms. Eveline Wilkinson IV  |  Last update: May 25, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (12 votes)

The most popular newspaper in the UK depends on how you measure it (circulation vs. reach/popularity), but Metro often leads in free circulation, while the Daily Mail, The Sun, and The Times are consistently top contenders in readership and print sales, with the Daily Mail often cited for highest print circulation and Metro for overall reach (including free distribution).

What is the most read newspaper in the UK?

Today, the UK's most highly circulating paper is the free sheet Metro whilst other popular titles include tabloids such as The Sun and Daily Mirror, middle market papers such as the Daily Mail and Daily Express and broadsheet newspapers such as The Times, The Daily Telegraph, the Financial Times and The Guardian.

What is the main newspaper in the UK?

‍The Sunday Times is UK's largest selling broadsheet newspaper. It is published by Times Newspapers Ltd (which also publishes The Times), a subsidiary of News UK, which is in turn owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

What are the tabloid newspapers in the UK?

The Independent and The Times were the first to do so. The Guardian moved in September 2005 to what is described as a 'Berliner' format, slightly larger than a compact. Its Sunday stablemate The Observer followed suit. Both The Guardian and The Observer now use the tabloid format, having done so since January 2018.

What is the right leaning newspaper in the UK?

The Daily Telegraph, known online and elsewhere as The Telegraph, is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Data stories: UK & Ireland newspaper title trends

39 related questions found

What is the best newspaper to read in the UK?

popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a newspaper. Find out more

  1. 1 Metro39%
  2. 2 Daily Mail36%
  3. 3 The Sunday Times33%
  4. 4 The Sun33%
  5. 5 Sunday Telegraph31%
  6. 6 The Mail on Sunday31%
  7. 7 The Times30%
  8. 8 The Guardian30%

Is The Telegraph left or right?

The Telegraph (specifically The Daily Telegraph) is a UK newspaper consistently described as right-wing, politically conservative, and a strong supporter of the Conservative Party. It's known for its middle-class readership and influence within right-leaning politics in Britain, often considered a key voice for Tory Britain. 

Which is the most respected newspaper in the world?

1. The New York Times (USA) is known for its comprehensive national and international news coverage. 2. The Guardian (UK) is a British daily newspaper renowned for its liberal and progressive viewpoint.

Is the Daily Mail losing readers?

In the mid-market, the Daily Mail hit a 10-year circulation low for the title and is dangerously close to dropping below its psychological benchmark of 2m readers, with a fall of 3.33% to 2,030,968, down 1.83% year on year.

Is The Guardian left or right-leaning?

It is published Monday-Saturday, though from 1993 to 2025, The Observer served as its Sunday sister paper. The paper's readership is generally on the mainstream left of British political opinion.

What is the best English newspaper?

Hindustan Times (Balanced and Learner-Friendly)

Between Times of India and The Hindu, this newspaper provides crisp headlines, concise news, and readable vocabulary, rendering it ideal for the intermediate level.

Is The Times conservative or labour?

The political position of The Times is considered to be centre-right. The Times and The Sunday Times launched their own radio station, Times Radio, in 2020. Its shows cover news and politics, both nationally and internationally, and had an average weekly reach of 604,000 listeners at the end of 2024.

What is the most sold English newspaper in the world?

The Times of India is the largest circulated English-language daily newspaper in the world, across all formats (Broadsheet, Compact, Berliner and Online).

Who reads The Telegraph?

Britons who read The Telegraph online or in print, skew Tory, male and wealthy. * Nearly half (49%) of Telegraph readers identify themselves with the Conservative party, compared to 28% of other newspaper readers.

What is the most used news source in the UK?

Online and social media:

Meta (39%) and Google (34%) services are the most commonly used intermediaries. Among adults who directly access websites and apps of news organisations for their news, BBC Online (59%) has the highest claimed use, followed by Sky News (21%), The Guardian (20%) and the Daily Mail (14%).

What newspapers do billionaires read?

Newspapers: Buffett reads The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, The New York Times, USA Today, The Omaha World-Herald, and The American Banker almost every day. Company Reports & Filings: He spends hours going through annual reports, 10-Ks, and financial statements.

Which newspaper has the best reputation?

Top 10 U.S. Newspapers by Web Visitors

  • The New York Times. The New York Times is a prestigious U.S. daily newspaper known for its comprehensive coverage of global news, politics, business, culture, and in-depth investigative journalism. ...
  • USA Today. ...
  • New York Post.

Who are the big three in global news?

The "Big Three" in global news are the major international news agencies: Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and Agence France-Presse (AFP), which form the backbone of the news ecosystem, supplying news, photos, and video worldwide to other media outlets with vast global networks and long histories. While media landscapes shift, these three agencies remain central due to their extensive reach and foundational role in reporting international events. 

Is WSJ conservative or liberal?

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is known for a significant split: its editorial pages are strongly conservative, while its news reporting is generally considered center-left to center, creating a notable contrast often described as politically polarized, with opinion pieces sometimes contradicting news coverage. While the news division offers reliable, centrist reporting (though some studies suggest a liberal slant in news pages compared to other media), the opinion section, under its separate editorial board, pushes right-leaning, free-market, and conservative viewpoints, especially on topics like climate change. 

Which British newspaper is conservative?

Major conservative newspapers in the UK include The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Sun, and The Daily Express, all known for their right-leaning political stance, with The Daily Telegraph being a broadsheet supporting low-tax and anti-immigration policies, and the tabloids Daily Mail, Sun, and Express often backing the Conservative Party in endorsements. 

Is The Telegraph a Murdoch paper?

From 1936 until its sale to Rupert Murdoch's News Limited in 1972, the Telegraph was owned by Sir Frank Packer's Australian Consolidated Press. Packer sold the Daily Telegraph to Rupert Murdoch's company News Limited in 1972 for $15 million.

What is Britain's best selling newspaper?

Daily Mail

Metro is the United Kingdom's highest-circulation print newspaper. It is published in tabloid format by DMG Media.

What is the most trusted newspaper in the world?

While no single newspaper is universally deemed the "most" respected, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times consistently rank among the world's most prestigious for their global coverage, influence, and detailed reporting, alongside strong contenders like The Guardian (UK) and Le Monde (France). Reputation varies by focus (e.g., business vs. general news), but these publications are known as newspapers of record for their historical significance and thoroughness.