The Spectator magazine

The Spectator is a weekly British magazine on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first published in July 1828, making it the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the English-speaking world. Founded by Robert Stephen Rintoul, the publication has maintained a significant influence on British political discourse for nearly two centuries.

Throughout its history, the magazine has seen various owners, including Ian Gilmour and the Fairfax family. In 2004, it was acquired by the Barclay family as part of their purchase of the Telegraph Media Group. In a significant transition in 2024, the publication was sold to Sir Paul Marshall’s Old Queen Street (OQS) Media group.

The magazine is primarily edited and printed in the United Kingdom. While it has international editions, such as Spectator Australia and Spectator USA (now Spectator World), the core brand remains deeply rooted in the London media landscape, headquartered at Old Queen Street in Westminster.