Few British newspapers have sparked as much conversation — or controversy — as The Sun. Since its launch in 1964, it has grown into a media powerhouse with a daily print circulation of around 1.2 million. This guide covers its history, who owns it, and how you can follow the latest news today.

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Founded: 1964 ·
Owner: News UK (News Corp) ·
Circulation: ~1.2 million (2022 est.) ·
Political alignment: Conservative ·
Editor: Victoria Newton ·
Website: thesun.co.uk

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 1964: Launched as broadsheet (Historic Newspapers, media history)
  • 1969: Purchased by Rupert Murdoch (News UK, official publisher)
  • 1970s: Converted to tabloid format (Britannica, reference work)
  • 2015: Page 3 discontinued (Wikipedia, encyclopedic source)
  • 2019: Victoria Newton becomes editor (News UK, official publisher)
4What’s next

Six key facts, one pattern: The Sun has remained a top-selling national title despite drastic changes in ownership, format, and reader habits.

Attribute Detail
Founded 1964
Owner News UK (News Corp)
Circulation ~1.2 million (2022 est.)
Political leaning Conservative
Editor Victoria Newton
Website thesun.co.uk

What is The Sun newspaper?

The Sun is a daily British tabloid published by the News Group Newspapers division of News UK (publisher owned by News Corp). It was first published on 15 September 1964 as a broadsheet, replacing the Daily Herald (Wikipedia, encyclopedic source). The paper is known for its mix of news, celebrity coverage, sports, and opinion.

Where does The Sun rank among UK newspapers?

For much of its history, The Sun was the UK’s best-selling daily print title. According to Britannica (reference work), it was “long the United Kingdom’s biggest-selling newspaper.” In March 2018, the free daily Metro overtook The Sun in circulation (Wikipedia, encyclopedic source). As of 2022, its daily print circulation was estimated at about 1.2 million.

The upshot

Print remains a strong revenue pillar, but digital growth is now the real battleground. The Sun’s shift to paid content in 2013 was an early move that many rivals have since copied.

What format does The Sun use?

The Sun is published Monday to Saturday in tabloid format. It adopted the smaller page size after Rupert Murdoch’s 1969 acquisition, a shift that Britannica (reference work) says was designed to make the paper more commercially successful. The tabloid layout continues today both in print and digitally.

Bottom line: The Sun is a tabloid owned by News Corp. For British readers seeking a mix of news, sport, and entertainment, it remains a daily staple. For critics, its editorial stance and past controversies are a constant point of debate.

The implication: The Sun’s market position is secure, but its cultural influence remains polarizing.

Who owns and runs The Sun?

Ownership is firmly within the Murdoch family’s media empire. News UK (official publisher) confirms the paper is published by its News Group Newspapers division. The ultimate parent is News Corp, chaired by Lachlan Murdoch.

Who is the current editor?

Victoria Newton has been editor since 2019, succeeding Tony Gallagher (News UK, official publisher). She is the second woman to hold the post.

What is the ownership structure?

The corporate chain runs: The Sun → News Group Newspapers → News UK → News Corp. Britannica (reference work) notes that News Corp is the global media company controlled by the Murdoch family. Before Murdoch, the title was owned by the International Publishing Corporation (IPC).

The pattern: Murdoch’s purchase in 1969 for about £800,000 (Wikipedia, encyclopedic source) transformed the paper from a loss‑making broadsheet into a profitable tabloid powerhouse.

Why this matters

Media ownership concentration means The Sun’s editorial line is tied directly to the Murdoch family’s business and political interests. For readers, understanding that link is essential when evaluating its coverage.

What are the latest Sun news headlines today?

The Sun’s website at thesun.co.uk (official news portal) provides continuously updated news, sport, entertainment, and opinion. The site uses a soft paywall — many articles are free, but full access requires a Sun+ subscription.

How can I follow breaking news from The Sun?

  • Web: thesun.co.uk (official site) with live blog for major events.
  • App: The Sun app offers push notifications (The Sun, official website).
  • Social media: The Sun is active on Twitter (@TheSun, social media channel) and other platforms.

Does The Sun have a live news feed?

Yes, The Sun runs a live blog for breaking stories, particularly in UK politics, sport, and showbiz. The feed refreshes automatically and is free to access (The Sun, official website).

Bottom line: The Sun is a print‑first brand that has invested heavily in digital. For readers wanting quick headlines, the free website and app are the best entry points. For deep dives, a Sun+ subscription unlocks full archives and premium features.

The pattern: Digital investment has shifted the newspaper’s revenue base, but print still anchors its identity.

Ten publication specs, one contrast: The Sun’s tabloid format and Monday‑to‑Saturday frequency align with mass‑market British dailies, but its owner and political lean set it apart.

Specification Details
Format Tabloid (since 1970s)
Frequency Monday–Saturday
Publisher News Group Newspapers (News UK)
Editor Victoria Newton
Founded 1964
Political alignment Conservative
Website thesun.co.uk
Circulation (2022) ~1.2 million
Headquarters London, Wapping
Owner News Corp (through News UK)

The Sun: key timeline

  • 1964 — The Sun launched as a broadsheet successor to the Daily Herald (Historic Newspapers, media history).
  • 1969 — Rupert Murdoch buys the title for £800,000 (Wikipedia, encyclopedic source).
  • 1970s — Converted to tabloid format (Britannica, reference work).
  • 1995 — The Sun launches on the internet (News UK, official publisher).
  • 2013 — Sun+ soft paywall introduced (News UK, official publisher).
  • 2015 — Page 3 discontinued (Wikipedia, encyclopedic source).
  • 2019 — Victoria Newton becomes editor (News UK, official publisher).

What this means: The timeline shows a newspaper that reinvented itself multiple times under Murdoch’s ownership.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Daily circulation ~1.2 million (2022) (Britannica, reference work)
  • Owned by News Corp through News UK (News UK, official publisher)
  • Editor is Victoria Newton (News UK, official publisher)

What’s unclear

  • Exact future plans for print edition (News UK, official publisher)
  • Potential sale of the title (Wikipedia, encyclopedic source)
  • Long-term digital subscription trends (Britannica, reference work)
  • Impact of declining print readership (Historic Newspapers, media history)

Voices on The Sun

The Sun has sat right at the heart of the national conversation for over 50 years.

— News UK (official publisher)

The Sun is a British tabloid newspaper, published by the News Group Newspapers division of News UK.

— Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)

The Sun’s journey from broadsheet to tabloid, from print to digital, and from loss‑making to profitable, reflects the volatile economics of modern journalism. For the Murdoch family, the title remains a powerful political and commercial asset. For readers in the UK, the choice is clear: you can access a free taste online, but the full experience still comes at a price.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org

For a deeper look at the tabloid’s origins and ownership, readers can explore The Sun newspapers history and facts.

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Frequently asked questions

How to read The Sun for free?

Many articles on thesun.co.uk are free. Full access requires a Sun+ subscription after a limited number of free views per month.

Is The Sun owned by Fox?

No, Fox is a separate News Corp entity. The Sun is owned by News UK, which is part of News Corp.

What is the circulation of The Sun compared to The Daily Mail?

As of 2022, The Sun’s print circulation was about 1.2 million, while The Daily Mail’s was around 1.1 million. The Sun remains slightly ahead.

Can I advertise in The Sun?

Yes, advertising is handled through News UK’s commercial team. Details are on thesun.co.uk/advertise.

Does The Sun have a TV channel?

No, The Sun is a print and digital publication. There is no TV channel under The Sun brand.

What is The Sun’s website URL?

thesun.co.uk

How do I unsubscribe from The Sun email newsletters?

Scroll to the bottom of any Sun email and click “unsubscribe” or manage preferences in your account settings.

Bottom line: The Sun is a print‑first, politically conservative tabloid owned by News Corp. For daily news readers in the UK, it offers a fast, opinionated dose of headlines. For serious media analysts, it represents one of the last great mass‑market dailies adapting to a digital‑first world. For the Murdoch family, its editorial influence is as valuable as its profit margin.

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