View source for Reach plc

{{Short description|British newspaper and magazine publisher}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Mirror Group|Mirror (group)}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Reach plc
| logo = Reach_plc_logo.svg
| type = [[Public limited company]]
| traded_as = {{LSE|RCH}}
| key_people = {{ubl|Nicholas Prettejohn <small>([[Chair (official)|Chairman]] of the [[board of directors|board]])</small>|[[Jim Mullen (businessman)|Jim Mullen]] <small>([[chief executive officer|CEO]])</small>}}
| industry = [[Publishing]]
| products = National and regional [[newspaper]]s, [[magazine]]s<br />(see [[List of Reach plc titles|list of titles]])
| revenue = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]538.6 million (2024)<ref name=results>{{cite web|url=https://www.reachplc.com/content/dam/reach/corporate/documents/results-and-reports/2024/fy2024-results-statement.pdf.downloadasset.pdf|title=Annual Results 2024|publisher=Reach|access-date=4 March 2025}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]102.3 million (2024)<ref name=results/>
| net_income = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]53.6 million (2024)<ref name=results/>
| num_employees =
| subsid = 
| foundation = {{start date and age|1903}}
| location = [[One Canada Square]]<br>London, England, UK<ref>{{cite news|last1=Massey|first1=Jon|title=Trinity Mirror pledges its future to Canary Wharf for a further 10 years|url=http://www.wharf.co.uk/news/business/trinity-mirror-pledges-future-canary-10982740|access-date=24 October 2017|work=The Wharf|date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.reachplc.com/}}
}}

'''Reach plc''' (known as '''Trinity Mirror''' between 1999 and 2018) is a British newspaper, magazine and [[internet journalism|digital]] publisher. It is one of the UK's biggest newspaper groups, publishing 240 regional papers in addition to the national ''[[Daily Mirror]]'', ''[[Sunday Mirror]]'', ''[[The Sunday People]]'', ''[[Daily Express]]'', ''[[Sunday Express]]'', ''[[Daily Star (United Kingdom)|Daily Star]]'', ''[[Daily Star Sunday]]'' as well as the Scottish ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]'' and ''[[Sunday Mail (Scotland)|Sunday Mail]]'' and the magazine ''[[OK!]]'' Since purchasing [[Local World]], it has gained 83 print publications. Reach plc's headquarters are at the [[One Canada Square]] in [[London]]. It is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]].

==History==
The ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' was launched by [[Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe]], "for gentlewomen" in 1903.<ref name="history">{{cite news|last=Molloy|first=Mike|date=29 November 2013|title=Wade's world|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/wade-s-world-125101.html|access-date=21 January 2021|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> The company was first listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] on 2 December 1953.<ref>[http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-news/stocks/summary/company-summary.html?fourWayKey=GB0009039941GBGBXSSMM London Stock Exchange]. London Stock Exchange (2 December 1953).</ref> In 1958 the [[IPC Media|International Publishing Company]] (IPC) acquired Mirror Group Newspapers, but IPC was in turn taken over by publishing giant [[Reed International]] in 1970.<ref>[http://www.ipcmedia.com IPC Media website]. Ipcmedia.com.</ref> In 1984 [[Pergamon Press|Pergamon Holdings]], a company owned by [[Robert Maxwell]], acquired the ''Daily Mirror''<ref name=history/> from Reed International. The company was relisted as ''Mirror Group'' in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.accountancyage.com/2001/03/29/timeline-the-maxwell-scandal/|title=Maxwell Scandal Timeline|publisher=Accountancyage.com|date=2001-03-29}}.</ref>

In 1991 the company was due to be investigated via an [[Anton Piller order]] for alleged theft of software from companies including [[Adobe Inc.]], [[Autodesk]] and [[Microsoft]]. The action was delayed as it coincided with Maxwell's death, but was recommenced in 1992. Subsequently it was reported that "At the Mirror Group, for instance, 700 out of the 800 software programs in use were found to be illegal".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/pc-pirates-who-sail-the-software-seas-rogue-programs-are-bad-news-for-supplier-and-user-alike-warns-1556890.html|title=PC pirates who sail the software seas: Rogue programs are bad news for supplier and user alike, warns Martin Whybrow|work=The Independent|first=Martin|last=Whybrow|date=12 October 1992|access-date=10 July 2019}}</ref>

The company bought Scottish & Universal Newspapers in 1992, and in 1997 it acquired the [[Birmingham Post|Birmingham Post and Mail]] group of newspapers.<ref name="history" /> In 1999 Trinity International Holdings, owners of the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'', merged with Mirror Group to form Trinity Mirror.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/nostalgia/trusted-voices-of-liverpool-3506611|title=Trusted voices of Liverpool|date=25 August 2007|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|first=Jade|last=Wright|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref>

During 2005 the company introduced a number of measures to manage discretionary spending more carefully, some of which attracted press attention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk:80/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=32220|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614230935/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk:80/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=32220|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 June 2009|title=Trinity Mirror cancels Christmas - Press Gazette|date=14 June 2009}}</ref> 

In 2007, the company sought to sell a number of titles: the ''[[Reading Chronicle]]'' was sold to Berkshire Media Group<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jul/19/mirror.citynews |title=Trinity Mirror sells Berkshire Regionals for £10m]|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Chris |last=Tryhorn|date=19 July 2007}}</ref> and 25 Trinity Mirror South titles were sold to [[Northcliffe Media]].<ref>Fenton, Ben. (7 July 2007) [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0b69cdfe-2c0a-11dc-b498-000b5df10621.html Northcliffe buys 25 titles from Trinity Mirror]. ''Financial Times''.</ref> On 1 October 2007 it was announced that the sale of the ''[[Racing Post]]'' had been completed: the entire sale process had raised £263 million.<ref>Edgecliffe, Andrew. (1 October 2007) [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/25d5168c-6ff1-11dc-a6d1-0000779fd2ac,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F25d5168c-6ff1-11dc-a6d1-0000779fd2ac%2Cs01%3D1.html&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FTrinity_Mirror%23History Trinity Mirror calls halt to disposals]. ''Financial Times''.</ref>

[[File:Trinity Mirror.svg|thumb|right|The Trinity Mirror logo used until May 2018]]

In September 2008 the company announced that it would be closing the printing plant in [[Liverpool]] after 154 years of printing in the city, and transferring the work to Oldham.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/05/trinitymirror.pressandpublishing |title=Up to 100 jobs at risk as Trinity Mirror plans to close Liverpool print plant|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Oliver |last=Luft|date=5 September 2008}}</ref> 

In February 2010, Trinity Mirror bought the regional M.E.N. Media and S&B Media divisions of [[Guardian Media Group]], containing 22 local titles across Northern England and in Surrey and Berkshire. This included the ''[[Manchester Evening News]]'' and ''[[Reading Evening Post]]''.<ref name="M.E.N sold to Trinity Mirror">{{cite news | title = Manchester Evening News sold by Guardian Media Group
| work = [[Manchester Evening News]]
| url = http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1192028_manchester_evening_news_sold_by_guardian_media_group_
| date       = 9 February 2010
| access-date = 2010-02-09}}</ref> 

In March 2010 Trinity Mirror stated that it would end its bout of staff cuts and newspaper closures. The announcement came as the company reported pre-tax profits of £72.7m for 2009, exceeding analysts expectations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/newspapers/2010/03/tax-profits-trinity-mirror-pre|title=Trinity Mirror to stop cutbacks|date=4 March 2010|access-date=5 March 2010}}</ref>

In January 2012 it was announced Trinity Mirror acquired Communicator Corp, a digital communications company specialising in email and mobile communications for £8m.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/jan/04/trinity-mirror-buys-communicator-corp|title=Trinity Mirror buys email and mobile firm Communicator Corp for £8m|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Mark|last=Sweney|date=4 January 2012}}</ref> In August 2013, Trinity Mirror announced its partnership with whocanfixmycar.com, a portal connecting motorists nationwide with trusted local garages and mechanics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.trinitymirror.com/pressrelease/trinity-mirror-launches-whocanfixmycar/1946|title=Home - Trinity Mirror plc}}</ref>

In June 2014, Trinity Mirror transitioned its online bingo software from Dragonfish to Virtue Fusion from [[Playtech]] for its group of bingo brands.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bingoreviewer.co.uk/bingo_blog/trinity-mirror-transitioning-to-virtue-fusion/10258/|title=Trinity Mirror Transitioning to Virtue Fusion|publisher =bingoreviewer.co.uk|date=6 June 2014}}</ref>

In November 2015, Trinity Mirror purchased [[Local World]], a major stakeholder in local news titles, from [[DMGT]]. Local World had been formed by former Trinity chief exec David Montgomery in 2012 to consolidate all DMGT's local newspaper holdings other than the [[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]], expanding their holdings while streamlining production, to make the group more saleable. Its 115 titles were formed primarily by those of Harmsworth's historic [[Northcliffe Newspapers Group]], alongside other smaller purchases made by DMGT and Local World subsequently, including the 2007 purchase from Trinity. The purchase increased Trinity Mirror's local circulation by around 50%. The deal valued Local World at around £220 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/28/trinity-mirror-local-world-deal|title=Trinity Mirror confirms £220m Local World deal |newspaper =The Guardian|first=Mark |last=Sweney|date=28 October 2015}}</ref>

In February 2018, the company completed the acquisition of the publishing assets of [[Northern & Shell]], including the ''[[Daily Express]]'', ''[[Daily Express#Sunday Express|Sunday Express]]'', ''[[Daily Star (United Kingdom)|Daily Star]]'' (collectively the Express & Star Group), and ''[[OK!]]''.<ref name=17report>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2017|url=http://www.trinitymirror.com/images/Matt/2017_Annual_Report.pdf|publisher=Trinity Mirror plc|access-date=5 March 2018|page=3}}</ref> Following completion, Trinity Mirror announced a plan to rebrand as '''Reach''', subject to investor approval at a meeting scheduled for May 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sweney|first1=Mark|title=Trinity Mirror to rebrand as Reach after Express and Star deal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/mar/05/trinity-mirror-reach-express-star-simon-fox-pay|access-date=5 March 2018|work=The Guardian|date=5 March 2018}}</ref> Following completion of the acquisition, the [[Competition and Markets Authority]] launched a preliminary investigation into the deal, requiring Trinity Mirror to keep Express Newspapers as a standalone entity.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sweney|first1=Mark|title=Mirror takeover of Express and Star faces fresh investigation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/apr/23/mirror-takeover-of-express-and-star-could-come-under-new-investigation|access-date=23 April 2018|work=The Guardian|date=23 April 2018}}</ref>

In July 2020, Reach announced that it was cutting 550 jobs, 12% of its workforce, because of falling income amid reduced demand for advertising in its titles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/07/mirror-express-reach-cut-jobs-manchester-evening-news-birmingham-mail|title=Mirror and Express owner Reach to cut 550 jobs|first=Joanna|last=Partridge|date=7 July 2020|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>

=== Phone hacking ===
In January 2011, former MP [[Paul Marsden]] announced that he was considering taking legal action against Trinity Mirror, over alleged [[phone hacking]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12271690 "Phone-hacking: Review to consider new claims"], ''BBC News'', 24 January 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2014.</ref> On 24 September 2014, Trinity Mirror admitted that some of its journalists had been involved in phone hacking.<ref>Gallivan, Rory and Zekaria, Simon (September 2014) [https://online.wsj.com/articles/trinity-mirror-admits-liability-over-phone-hacking-1411547673 "Trinity Mirror Admits Liability Over Phone Hacking"], ''Wall Street Journal'', 24 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014</ref><ref>Sweney, Mark (September 2014). [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/28/trinity-mirror-phone-hacking-claims-compensation "Trinity Mirror faces up to the financial fallout as phone-hacking claims mount"], ''The Guardian'', 28 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.</ref> It admitted liability and agreed to pay compensation to four people who had sued for the alleged hacking of voicemails (entertainer [[Shane Richie]], soap actresses [[Shobna Gulati]] and [[Lucy Benjamin]] and BBC creative director [[Alan Yentob]]). The four also received an apology. Trinity Mirror also announced that it had earlier settled six other phone hacking claims in relation to former England football manager [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]], footballer [[Garry Flitcroft]], actor [[Christopher Eccleston]], showbusiness agent Phil Dale, Richie's wife Christine Roche and Abbie Gibson, a former nanny of David and Victoria Beckham. As of September 2014, a further 19 claims were registered at the High Court and another 10 claimants had indicated they would bring proceedings against Trinity Mirror.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29339756 "Phone-hacking: Trinity Mirror admits liability"], BBC News online, 24 September 2014 (Retrieved 29 September 2014)</ref> Other reports claimed that the number of victims could be much higher, with Evan Harris, associate director of the pressure group [[Media Standards Trust#Hacked Off|Hacked Off]] describing the revelations as: "… just the tip of a very big iceberg".<ref>Cusick, James and Milmo, Cahal (September 2014). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/trinity-mirror-could-face-hundreds-of-claims-from-phone-hacking-victims-9753909.html "Trinity Mirror 'could face hundreds of claims' from phone hacking victims"], ''The Independent'', 24 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.</ref> On 6 November 2014, [[Graham Johnson (author)|Graham Johnson]], pleaded guilty at [[Westminster Magistrates' Court]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29933698|title=Ex-Sunday Mirror reporter Graham Johnson admits phone hacking|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=6 November 2014 |website=BBC News | access-date=6 November 2014}}</ref>

On 13 February 2015, Trinity Mirror published a public apology to "all its victims of phone hacking" on page two of the ''[[Daily Mirror]]''.<ref name="The Guardian 13 February 2015">{{cite news | title= Daily Mirror prints apology to phone-hacking victims |url=  https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/13/daily-mirror-apology-phone-hacking-victims | last= Plunkett| first = John| date= 13 February 2015 | newspaper= The Guardian|location= London| access-date= 15 February 2015}}</ref> It also set aside funds to cover the cost of settling phone hacking compensation payments.<ref name="BBC News 13 February 2015">{{cite web | title= Phone-hacking: Trinity Mirror apologises to its victims |url=  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31450410 | author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date= 13 February 2015 | website= BBC News | access-date= 15 February 2015}}</ref> The same apology was printed in the following editions of the ''[[Sunday People]]'' and ''[[Sunday Mirror]]''.<ref name="BBC News 13 February 2015"/>

A hearing at the High Court in London heard on 3 March 2015 that one Mirror group journalist had hacked the phones of some 100 celebrities every day and that 109 stories had been published about just seven claimants.<ref name="BBC News 3 March 2015">{{cite web | title=Phone hacking 'rife' at Mirror Group Newspapers |url=  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31712894| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date= 3 March 2015 | website= BBC News | access-date= 3 March 2015}}</ref> On 21 May 2015, damages totalling nearly £1.25m were awarded to eight people as the result of phone hacking by Mirror Group journalists, including actress [[Sadie Frost]] (£260,000) and ex-footballer [[Paul Gascoigne]] (£188,250). Other damages recipients included soap opera actors [[Shane Richie]] (£155,000), [[Shobna Gulati]] (£117,500) and [[Lucy Benjamin]] (real name Lucy Taggart,  £157,250), as well as BBC creative director [[Alan Yentob]] (£85,000), TV producer Robert Ashworth (former husband of [[Coronation Street]] actress [[Tracy Shaw]], £201,250) and flight attendant Lauren Alcorn (former girlfriend of footballer [[Rio Ferdinand]], £72,500).<ref name="BBC News 21 May 2105">{{cite web | title= Phone hacking: Celebrities win damages from Mirror Group |url=  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32825751| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date= 21 May 2015| website= BBC News | access-date= 21 May 2015 }}</ref> The Mirror Group said it would consider whether to seek permission to appeal against the size of the damages, but increased the money allocated to deal with phone hacking claims from £12 million to £28 million.<ref name="BBC News 21 May 2105"/>

On {{date|15 December 2023}}, [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex]] was awarded £140,600 by the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] in damages against [[Mirror Group Newspapers]] after 15 out of 33 sample articles in his claim against MGN were ruled as being the product of phone hacking or other unlawful information gathering.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Victoria |title=Prince Harry was victim of phone hacking by Mirror newspapers, judge rules |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/12/15/extensive-hacking-mirror-newspapers-prince-harry/ |website=The Telegraph |access-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231215115026/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/12/15/extensive-hacking-mirror-newspapers-prince-harry/ |archive-date=15 December 2023 |date=15 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Coughlan |first1=Sean |title=Harry wins 15 claims in phone-hacking case against Mirror publisher |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67332563 |website=BBC News |access-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231215155455/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67332563 |archive-date=15 December 2023 |date=15 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Siddique |first1=Haroon |title=Prince Harry v Mirror Group: key findings of the phone-hacking case |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/15/prince-harry-v-mirror-group-key-findings-of-phone-hacking-case |website=The Guardian |access-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231215172157/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/15/prince-harry-v-mirror-group-key-findings-of-phone-hacking-case |archive-date=15 December 2023 |date=15 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Operations==

===Newspapers===
{{details|List of Reach plc titles}}
Reach plc's printing division, Reach Printing Services,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://reachprintingservices.co.uk/ |title=Reach Printing Services Ltd |website= reachprintingservices.co.uk}}</ref> is located at nine press sites throughout the UK, printing and distributing thirty-six major newspapers for the UK, including the ''[[The Daily Mirror|Daily Mirror]]'' and ''[[Sunday Mirror]]'', the ''[[Sunday People]]'', the ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]'' and ''Edinburgh Live'' (in Scotland),<ref>Reach plc [https://www.reachsolutions.co.uk/brands/category/news-websites 'News Websites'].</ref> and other contract titles including titles for the [[Guardian Media Group]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.oldham.gov.uk/working/economic_profile/printing_publishing.htm |title= Oldham's Economic Profile - Printing & Publishing |publisher= Oldham Council |access-date=29 March 2007 |year=2004 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060907224857/http://www.oldham.gov.uk/working/economic_profile/printing_publishing.htm |archive-date=7 September 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Reach plc also owns a number of local titles in Northern England and in Surrey and Berkshire, after acquiring a number of titles from the Guardian Media Group in 2010.<ref name="M.E.N sold to Trinity Mirror"/>

===Digital===
In 2013, Trinity Mirror launched the content websites ''UsVsTh3m'' and ''Ampp3d'' on an experimental basis. ''UsVsTh3m'' was a website similar to [[BuzzFeed]] focused on quizzes and Flash games, edited by [[B3ta]] founder [[Rob Manuel]] and running the [[Tumblr]] platform. ''Ampp3d'' focused on [[data journalism]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/dec/08/trinity-mirror-usvsth3m-buzzfeed|title=Trinity Mirror builds on the success of UsVsTh3m with launch of Ampp3d|first=Mark |last=Sweney|date=8 December 2013 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ampp3d.mirror.co.uk|title=Ampp3d: News, facts and stats|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=Trinity Mirror}}</ref> and used the [[WordPress]] platform. Both websites were closed down in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/may/13/trinity-mirrors-usvsth3m-and-ampp3d-thought-to-be-facing-axe-as-jobs-set-to-go|title=Trinity Mirror's UsVsTh3m and Ampp3d thought to be facing axe as jobs set to go|first=Jasper|last= Jackson|date=13 May 2015|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Official|http://www.reachplc.com/}}

{{Trinity Mirror}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom|comporg}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Reach plc]]
[[Category:Companies based in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets]]
[[Category:Companies in the FTSE SmallCap Index]]
[[Category:Magazine publishing companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Publishing companies established in 1903]]