Express, Mail in rumoured merger talks
The owners of the Daily Mail and Daily Express are believed to be discussing merger plans between the two titles.
Lord Rothermere, chairman of the Daily Mail & General Trust, and Richard Desmond, chairman of Northern & Shell, are said to have met earlier this year and are planning further talks, according to a Daily Telegraph report.
A merger could create a title with a combined circulation of more than 3 million. The deal would also mark the end of hostility between the two papers, which for years engaged in mudslinging on their front pages.
Analysts believe Desmond, who bought Channel 5 for £103.5m last year, is keen to trim down or combine his print assets in order to concentrate on other media.
Desmond was reported to be ready to sell his print magazines, including OK!, New and Star last month. N&S denied the claims.
DMGT and N&S did not return requests for comment in time for publication.
