Throughout the past four decades the Northern & Shell group has thrived in a succession of highly competitive markets by maximising our own opportunities at the same time as working with our partners to maximise theirs.
Important Milestones and Events
In 1982 Northern & Shell became the first company to establish its own building in London’s burgeoning Docklands, which opened the way to further expansion in magazine production.
The launch of OK! magazine in 1993 combined the Group’s experience in magazine publication and distribution with the Group’s ability to invest in key conten. Iconic covers, including the David and Victoria Beckham wedding issue , cemented the magazine’s reputation as the best-selling, must-read glossy in the weekly celebrity sector.
As far back as 1993, Northern & Shell had been interested in Express Newspapers as a possible acquisition target. But it was not until 2000 that the opportunity presented its self.
In addition to acquiring the Daily Express, the Sunday Express and the Daily Star, the Group launched the Daily Star Sunday in 2002 and grew its share of the weekly magazine market with the launch of new! and Star magazines in 2003.
In July 2010, Northern & Shell achieved another long term ambition when it bought free-to-air broadcaster, Channel 5, from European broadcast group RTL, successfully beating off competition from three rival bidders – Channel 4, Time Warner and Endemol.
