Bauer Media Group

Düsseldorf Court Rejects Grosso Wholesalers' Injunction

The publishing alliance Fit for Future (FFF) scored a legal victory when the Higher Regional Court (OLG) Düsseldorf dismissed an urgent injunction filed by six press-wholesaler (Grosso) companies seeking to halt FFF's reform of the German press distribution system. The court ruled the applicants' request was legally misplaced and that any alleged antitrust concerns fall within the discretion of the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt). FFF had already had its plans informally tolerated by the Bundeskartellamt and terminated supply contracts with wholesalers not selected as 'system partners.' FFF’s near-term plan foresees four system partners rolling out from early 2027 and a nationwide central wholesaler (Presse-Grosso-Allianz, PGA) expected to start operations around early 2028.

Eva‑Maria Bauch leaves Mediengruppe Oberfranken

Eva‑Maria Bauch, who became CEO and managing director of Mediengruppe Oberfranken three years ago, announced on LinkedIn that she left the company effective 30 June 2026. The regional publisher of the daily 'Fränkischer Tag' has been part of Mediengruppe Bayern since 2025 after an acquisition. The article links Bauch’s departure to the takeover by Mediengruppe Bayern and cites reports and union criticism that the new owner has centralized functions and closed departments — actions described by other publishers and by the Süddeutsche Zeitung as significant cost-cutting and job reductions. Bauch previously held leadership roles at Gruner+Jahr and Bauer Media Group and was Managing Director at Deloitte Digital from 2021–2023.

German publishers push Grosso distribution overhaul

A coalition of major German publishers called Fit for Future (FFF) is pressing ahead with a planned overhaul of the country's Grosso press-distribution system despite legal challenges and warnings. FFF has terminated supply contracts with non-allied wholesalers and set up a two-stage model: four 'system partner' wholesalers will expand from 2027, and a nationwide central wholesaler, the Presse-Grosso-Allianz (PGA), is planned to start in early 2028. The Bundeskartellamt initially tolerated the plan after a long review, but several excluded wholesalers have filed court actions; only one injunction (for the small wholesaler Mietke) succeeded so far. Legal debate centers on whether the reform falls under the antitrust exception in § 30(2a) of the German Competition Act (GWB). The outcome of appeals at higher regional courts will determine whether the structural reform can proceed.