Axel Springer’s Telegraph bid in doubt over ‘digital-only’ future

Head of German-based group tells Politico podcast its strategy is to grow its digital media

Axel Springer, the German-based media group considered a leading contender in the auction of the Telegraph and Spectator titles, has cast doubt over whether it will submit a bid in the process to find a new owner for the influential titles.

Its long-standing chief executive, Mathias Döpfner, who led the owner of the daily Die Welt and the tabloid Bild when the business was trumped by a blockbuster £665m offer for the Telegraph by the Barclay brothers in 2004, has said Axel Springer is focused on a digital-only strategy.