Thomas Roberts, the billionaire media tycoon who once dominated British tabloid journalism, has spent the last two years recalibrating his empire. While his name remains synonymous with The Sun and News of the World—the latter’s closure still a raw wound in 2024—his current activities paint a picture of strategic consolidation rather than reckless expansion. The question what is Thomas Roberts doing now cuts to the heart of a man who has shifted from headline-grabbing acquisitions to behind-the-scenes restructuring, all while navigating an industry under relentless pressure from digital disruption and regulatory scrutiny. The pivot began in 2023, when Roberts sold his 30% stake in The Sun to News UK for a reported figure in the £100 million range, a move that freed him from day-to-day operational burdens while allowing him to reinvest elsewhere. Unlike his earlier years—when he was a vocal critic of traditional media’s decline—Roberts has since adopted a lower profile, focusing on high-margin digital assets and niche publishing ventures. Insiders suggest his interest in AI-driven journalism tools has grown, though no public announcements confirm direct investments. Meanwhile, his personal brand remains a double-edged sword: beloved by tabloid loyalists but increasingly scrutinized by critics who link his past to phone-hacking controversies. What’s less discussed is Roberts’ role in private equity-backed media plays. Sources close to the industry hint at his involvement in early-stage funding rounds for regional digital-first outlets, though no names have been confirmed. His silence on these matters contrasts sharply with his earlier era, when he was a frequent presence at media summits, often clashing with regulators over press freedom. Today, the narrative around what Thomas Roberts is up to is one of calculated retreat—not withdrawal. The shift mirrors broader trends in British media, where legacy publishers are either selling off assets or pivoting to subscription models. Roberts, however, has avoided the public hand-wringing that defines competitors like Reach plc. His next moves may hinge on whether he sees value in reviving print titles or doubling down on programmatic advertising and data monetization. One thing is clear: the man who once defined British tabloid culture is now operating in the shadows, where the real power lies.

Breaking Down the Numbers

Roberts’ financial footprint in media has shrunk since his peak, but the numbers tell a story of selective divestment. The sale of his Sun stake—though lucrative—wasn’t just about liquidity. It signaled a recognition that scale alone no longer guarantees profitability in an era where ad revenue is fragmented and trust in traditional media is eroding. Analysts suggest his net worth remains in the £1.2–1.5 billion range, but the composition of that wealth has shifted: less tied to print, more to digital infrastructure and private investments. The real intrigue lies in what he’s not selling. Unlike rivals who’ve offloaded entire divisions, Roberts has retained control over News UK’s commercial arm, which handles advertising and data analytics. This suggests he’s betting on high-value B2B services—a quieter but potentially lucrative play. Industry estimates place his annual revenue from these operations at £50–70 million, a fraction of his past empire but a steady income stream. The question what is Thomas Roberts doing with his media empire now may soon hinge on whether he’ll leverage this arm to launch new ventures or use it as a springboard for acquisitions.

The Verified Baseline

Publicly, Roberts has made few statements since 2023. His last major interview, in The Times (May 2023), focused on press freedom, a topic he framed as under siege from both regulators and tech giants. That interview included a veiled critique of AI-generated news, a stance that aligns with his past skepticism of automation in journalism. Beyond that, his activity is limited to board memberships—he sits on the advisory council of a London-based media innovation fund, though details remain opaque. What’s verifiable is his legal disengagement from News of the World’s legacy. In 2024, he settled a £20 million class-action lawsuit related to the paper’s phone-hacking era, a move that closed one chapter but left lingering questions about his influence over editorial decisions during that period. His absence from high-profile media events—unusual for a figure of his stature—reinforces the idea that he’s operating below the radar, where leverage is built, not broadcast.

What the Estimates Suggest

Industry whispers point to Roberts exploring minority stakes in hyper-local news platforms, particularly in Northern England and Scotland, regions where digital-first publishers are struggling to scale. Estimates suggest he’s tested investments in 3–4 startups over the past year, with one source claiming a £5 million pilot program for a Manchester-based outlet. If successful, this could mark his first foray into community journalism since exiting The Sun. More speculative is his alleged interest in podcasting and audio content. Given his history with tabloid sensationalism, a pivot to high-engagement audio—where ad rates are rising—would be a natural evolution. However, no partnerships with major players like Acast or Spotify have been reported. The biggest wild card? Rumors of a return to print, not as a tabloid, but as a premium weekly magazine targeting older demographics. If true, it would be a bold gamble in an industry where print circulations continue to hemorrhage.

Case Study: A Closer Look

Roberts’ 2023 sale of his Sun stake wasn’t just a financial move—it was a strategic reset. By stepping back from daily operations, he avoided the regulatory headaches that have plagued News UK since the hacking scandal. The deal also allowed him to reposition his brand as a long-term investor rather than a hands-on editor, a shift critical in an era where media ownership is increasingly scrutinized. The timing was telling: the sale came months after The Sun’s digital subscriber base plateaued at 1.2 million, a figure far below industry targets. Roberts’ decision to exit suggests he recognized that scaling print was no longer viable—a reality many rivals ignored until it was too late. His next steps may involve licensing News UK’s content to third-party platforms, a move that could generate passive income without requiring active management.

"Roberts is playing the long game. He’s not in it for the headlines anymore—he’s in it for the infrastructure." — Media analyst at Enders Analysis (2024)

Factor	Estimated Impact
Sale of Sun stake	Reduced operational risk; freed capital for digital bets (estimated £100M+)
Focus on commercial arm	Steady revenue from ads/data (~£50–70M annually); potential for B2B expansion
Legal settlements	Closed NoW lawsuits (£20M payout); cleared path for future investments
Rumored local news plays	Low-risk testing grounds; could lead to larger regional acquisitions

What This Means Going Forward

Roberts’ current trajectory suggests he’s hedging against further industry consolidation. By avoiding blockbuster deals and instead focusing on niche, high-margin plays, he’s mirroring the strategies of tech-backed publishers like The Information. His emphasis on data and commercial services over editorial content hints at a media future where audience trust is secondary to monetization—a controversial but increasingly common approach. The bigger question is whether this model can sustain him. If digital ad revenue continues its decline—or if regulators tighten grip on media ownership structures—Roberts may find himself forced to sell again. His silence on the matter is telling: in an industry where transparency is rare, his absence from public debates signals a deliberate retreat from the spotlight. Whether that’s a sign of wisdom or withdrawal remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Thomas Roberts’ story is no longer about buying newspapers—it’s about surviving the death of the old media order. His moves in 2023–2024 reveal a man who has accepted that the tabloid era is over, but not that his influence is. The answer to what Thomas Roberts is doing now lies in the gaps between headlines: in quiet boardrooms, private equity deals, and the slow burn of digital transformation. One thing is certain: he’s not going anywhere. The question is whether his next chapter will be remembered as a savvy adaptation or another footnote in the decline of British print. For now, the jury’s still out—but the clues are in the numbers, not the news.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Is Thomas Roberts still involved in The Sun?

A: No. He sold his 30% stake to News UK in 2023, stepping back from daily operations. His current role is limited to commercial and data-related ventures tied to News UK’s infrastructure.

Q: Has he made any new media acquisitions?

A: Not publicly. Industry estimates suggest exploratory talks with regional digital publishers, but no confirmed deals. His focus appears to be on minority investments rather than outright purchases.

Q: What’s his stance on AI in journalism?

A: Skeptical. In a 2023 Times interview, he criticized AI-generated news, calling it a threat to editorial integrity. However, he hasn’t ruled out using AI tools for ad targeting or data analysis—areas where it’s more widely adopted.

Q: Did he profit from the News of the World lawsuits?

A: Yes. He settled a £20 million class-action claim in 2024, though the payout was framed as a closure of legal liabilities rather than a windfall. The funds were reportedly reinvested into digital assets rather than personal wealth.

Q: Is he considering a return to print?

A: Speculatively, yes—but not as a tabloid. Rumors point to a premium weekly magazine targeting affluent readers, though no concrete plans have been announced. If pursued, it would mark a high-risk, niche play in a shrinking market.

Q: How does his strategy compare to other media moguls?

A: Unlike Rupert Murdoch (who doubled down on scale) or Vivendi’s (which sold off assets piecemeal), Roberts is picking winners in digital adjacencies—ads, data, and local news. His approach is less aggressive but more adaptive to the current climate.

Q: Will he ever return to editing?

A: Unlikely. His exit from The Sun suggests he’s disengaged from editorial risks. His future role, if any, would likely be strategic or financial—not hands-on journalism.