Tortoise Media to Relaunch The Observer This Weekend
Tortoise Media, the slow-news media company founded by former BBC and Times executives, is set to relaunch The Observer this weekend, aiming to breathe new life into one of the most historic names in British journalism.
📜 Background:
The Observer — known as the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper — had seen its traditional print operations scaled back and repositioned under various ownership structures in recent decades.
Tortoise Media, founded in 2018, focuses on "slow journalism," emphasizing depth, context, and analysis over breaking news speed.
🚀 What the relaunch entails:
New format: The Observer will blend investigative journalism, long-form reporting, and curated analysis on major global issues.
Digital-first approach: While honoring its print heritage, the relaunched Observer will prioritize digital storytelling, podcasts, and interactive reports.
Editorial focus: Key themes will include democracy, sustainability, technology, inequality, and culture, aligning with Tortoise’s editorial mission.
Community engagement: Members will be invited to participate through live events, forums, and editorial discussions.
🎯 Strategic Goal:
To redefine Sunday journalism for a new generation, while preserving The Observer’s legacy of thoughtful, independent reporting.
James Harding, co-founder of Tortoise and former editor of The Times, stated:
"We believe there's a growing demand for slower, deeper journalism — especially on Sundays. Our version of The Observer will focus less on headlines and more on what matters most."
📈 Industry context:
The relaunch comes as trust in traditional media declines and audiences seek more reflective, nuanced coverage.
It also reflects a broader trend toward membership-based media models, moving away from purely advertising-driven revenue.
🗓️ When?
The revamped version of The Observer will officially go live this Sunday, available digitally with limited print editions.