ARD MEDIA vs MDR

ARD Media rejects Klima vor acht ad spot

The German climate advocacy group Klima vor acht e.V. attempted to buy advertising time on ARD's flagship channel Das Erste to air a 35-second spot highlighting the climate crisis and featuring sponsors GLS Bank, Prokon, and EWS Schönau. After raising €135,000 from corporate sponsors, the group sought to place the ad, but ARD Media, the marketing arm of ARD, rejected it. ARD Media argued the spot did not qualify as permissible advertising under the Medienstaatsvertrag, as it neither promoted product sales nor served as image advertising, and it also cited risks under the new EmpCo directive on environmental claims. Klima vor acht disputes the rejection, citing a media law expert who contends the reasoning is insufficient, and is considering legal action. The conflict underscores ongoing tensions between activism and broadcasting regulations.

• ARD Media rejected a 35-second climate ad spot submitted by Klima vor acht e.V.
• The ad was to be aired on Das Erste on October 22 and featured sponsors GLS Bank, Prokon, and EWS Schönau.
• Klima vor acht raised €135,000 from corporate sponsors for the spot and related activities.

ARD Media Launches Flexible Radio Ad Combos

In this Audio-Update, several German radio market developments are covered. ARD Media introduces 'Flex-Kombis', allowing advertisers and agencies to select individual radio stations for a unified price advantage, with 36 stations across 31 sales packages available. Joachim Llambi, known from 'Let's Dance', gets his own Sunday talk show on RTL Radio. Radio NRW creates new roles: Michael Thuge becomes Head of Program, Lennart Thies will be Chief Product Officer in 2027. Chillout Antenne adds news and short formats due to regulatory requirements. Antenne Thüringen and Landeswelle Thüringen receive a temporary suspension of quantitative program requirements. Seven.One Audio's Podcast Report shows increased daily listening. Podigee launches a revamped platform with integrated recording and analytics.

• ARD Media launches Flex-Kombis with 36 stations in 31 packages.
• Joachim Llambi gets a Sunday talk show on RTL Radio starting next weekend.
• Michael Thuge becomes Head of Program at Radio NRW.

ARD Media Launches Flex-Kombi for Audio

ARD Media, the advertising sales house of German public broadcaster ARD, will launch 'Flex-Kombi' for radio advertising on October 1, 2026. This new product allows advertisers and media agencies to configure their own national radio combinations by selecting individual stations based on target audience, region, and budget, bringing digital planning logic to linear audio. The offering includes 36 stations in 31 sales packages, with a minimum requirement of six packages from at least three media companies. ARD Media will review configurations, secure capacities, and offer a volume discount. Led by CEO Ralf Hape, this initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize sales, following the recent launch of programmatic audio advertising.

• ARD Media launches 'Flex-Kombi' for national radio ad booking on October 1, 2026.
• Advertisers and agencies can configure their own national radio combinations.
• The offering includes 36 stations in 31 sales packages.

Jana Cebulla to lead RBB Brandenburg offering

Jana Cebulla has been appointed as the head of the RBB's Brandenburg regional offering, a newly created position. The appointment was made by the broadcaster's broadcast council for a five-year term, following a proposal by RBB Director-General Ulrike Demmer. Cebulla, who joined RBB from MDR a few months ago, had been leading the program management department. The creation of this role responds to the perception that Brandenburg is underrepresented in RBB's programming, a matter also addressed by the RBB state treaty negotiated with authorities. The broadcaster's earlier legal challenge against the treaty's provisions was rejected by the constitutional court. In her new role, Cebulla will coordinate and advise across departments to ensure Brandenburg's perspectives are adequately considered in planning and decision-making processes. Notably, a similar leadership position for the Berlin offering will not be filled.

• Jana Cebulla has been appointed head of the RBB Brandenburg regional offering, a newly created role.
• The appointment was made by the RBB broadcast council for a five-year term.
• Cebulla moved from MDR to RBB a few months ago, where she led the program management department.

MDR SACHSEN-Dialogtage 2026: Dein Ort. Deine Themen – MDR SACHSEN mittendrin in Freiberg

Am Samstag, 12.09.2026, ab 18.00 Uhr am Rathaus/Ecke Burgstraße zur „Freiberger Nachtschicht“

Germany's AfD Win Threatens Public Broadcasting, MDR Exit Possible

The far-right AfD party won the Saxony-Anhalt state election with 43.8% of the vote but fell short of a majority, preventing an immediate unilateral exit from the MDR public broadcaster. However, talks with the BSW party could enable a future state withdrawal via changes to broadcasting treaties, potentially starting in 2029. Such a move would devastate regional journalism and public service media in the state. Meanwhile, Google is reportedly in talks with major Hollywood studios to license film archives and characters for AI training, potentially reshaping copyright and media monetization. The ARD media library will premiere new 'Tatort' episodes on Fridays, requiring registration, to convert anonymous reach into registered, returning users. France invests €500 million in audiovisual industry, positioning itself against Big Tech.

• AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt election with 43.8% but lacks majority.
• Google in talks with Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. for AI content licensing.
• ARD Mediathek to offer early 'Tatort' episodes requiring registration.