New Observer website to be launched as Tortoise signs deal to buy newspaper
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The sale of The Observer to Tortoise Media has been signed, kickstarting plans to shake-up the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper with a new website and daily digital content. Tortoise is buying the media business from Guardian Media Group and the Scott Trust.
Acting editor Lucy Rock will become the newspaper’s editor of print and James Harding, co-founder of Tortoise, will become its editor-in-chief. As part of the deal, Tortoise will take on all staff members who wish to stay with The Observer, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Earlier this month, journalists at The Observer and Guardian went on a 48-hour strike in protest at the sale. Tortoise plans to combine its newsroom with that of The Observer’s 233-year-old newspaper to create a daily digital Observer, including a new website, podcasts, video content and newsletters.
This will be developed throughout 2025, with a focus on arts, ideas and news content, as well as plans to build a new business and economics team, expanded science, technology and health coverage, and a dedicated sports desk. Tortoise has pledged to invest £25 million in The Observer, with a commitment to continue printing on a Sunday.
The Scott Trust has also become a key shareholder with equity investment in the company, while the Guardian Media Group has signed a five-year agreement to pay for print and distribution services and marketing. Ms Rock said it was a “huge privilege to be entrusted with the editorship” of The Observer and that she was looking forward to building a “dynamic digital identity” for the paper.
