Bertelsmann vs FUNKE Mediengruppe

Wetten dass Head Writer Prepares Kaulitz Twins for Show

In an interview with DWDL, Christoph Schulte-Richtering, head writer for the German TV show 'Wetten, dass..?', discusses his role in preparing Bill and Tom Kaulitz for their hosting debut in December. He reflects on his career, including work with Thomas Gottschalk and Markus Lanz, and draws parallels between TV shows and Catholic mass rituals. He emphasizes the importance of blending new elements with tradition to keep the show relevant amid competition from digital platforms.

• Christoph Schulte-Richtering is head writer for 'Wetten, dass..?' since 2008.
• Bill and Tom Kaulitz will host 'Wetten, dass..?' for the first time in December.
• Schulte-Richtering has written for Thomas Gottschalk and Markus Lanz.

Bertelsmann to Merge Brazilian Education Units Afya and YDUQS

Bertelsmann announced the planned merger of its Brazilian medical education subsidiary Afya with YDUQS, creating one of Brazil's largest education companies with combined revenue of €1.6 billion. Under the share swap, Bertelsmann will hold 47% of the merged entity, which will continue to be listed on Brazil's B3 exchange. The deal underscores Bertelsmann's expansion in education, its fifth business segment, and follows recent mergers of RTL with Sky and BMG with Concord. The new company, headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, will have over 900,000 students, including 440,000 online learners. Virgilio Gibbon, current Afya CEO, will lead the combined company, while Kay Krafft, Bertelsmann's education chief, will serve as Chairman.

• Bertelsmann announced the merger of its medical education unit Afya with Brazilian higher education provider YDUQS.
• The combined company will have a total revenue of €1.6 billion and more than 900,000 students.
• Bertelsmann will hold a 47% stake in the merged entity, which will remain listed on Brazil's B3 exchange (Novo Mercado).

Bertelsmann Raises 2026 Forecast After Strong H1 Growth

Bertelsmann reported H1 2026 revenue of €9.3 billion, adjusted operating EBITDA of €1.311 billion and consolidated net profit up 45% to €292 million. Organic revenue grew 5.1%, the strongest non‑COVID performance in 20 years, with contributions from Penguin Random House, BMG, Arvato and its education and investment businesses. RTL Group’s streaming turned profitable: paying subscribers rose ~21% to 8.7 million and streaming revenue increased ~27% to €299 million, with an expected ~€120 million contribution to adjusted operating EBITDA for 2026. On 1 June RTL Deutschland completed the Sky Deutschland DACH acquisition, bringing combined paid subscriptions to about 12.4 million. Management raised its 2026 outlook, reiterated a mid‑term €24 billion revenue target and continues investing under the Boost strategy; the BMG–Concord merger is near completion.

• H1 2026: revenue €9.3 billion; adjusted operating EBITDA €1.311 billion; consolidated net profit €292 million (+45%).
• Organic revenue growth 5.1% — strongest non‑COVID performance in 20 years.
• RTL Group streaming profitable: paying subscribers ~8.7 million (+20.7%); streaming revenue €299 million (+27.2%); expected ~€120 million contribution to adjusted operating EBITDA for 2026.

FUNKE Mediengruppe: Neue Pressemitteilungen und Personalien

Die Presseseite der FUNKE Mediengruppe zeigt mehrere neue Artikel, darunter die Ernennung von Anne-Christine Merholz zur stellvertretenden Chefredakteurin der Berliner Zentralredaktion, die Erweiterung des CHEFKOCH PLUS Rezept-Imports, die Öffnung der Programmatic-Infrastruktur yieldHub für externe Publisher, den Start des Podcasts 'Von klein auf' der WAZ, die Verstärkung der Zentralredaktion durch Doreen Reinhard, den Wechsel an der Spitze der Berliner Morgenpost, die Auszeichnung als 'Diversity-Vorreiter 2026', den Weggang von Chefredakteurin Bettina Steinke sowie das 60-jährige Jubiläum von ELTERN.

Bettina Steinke leaves Funke Mediengruppe

Bettina Steinke, editor-in-chief responsible for Funke Mediengruppe's regional digital portals, has left the company after eight years. Her departure took effect on September 1, 2026, at her own request, according to the company, as she pursues new professional challenges. Steinke joined Funke in 2018 from Burda Forward and helped build and develop the reach portals "Der Westen", "News38", and "Thüringen24", later also "moin.de" and "Berlin Live". In 2024, the portfolio was expanded with the entertainment brand "schlager.de". Steinke also developed new journalistic formats, including the podcast "SoKo Schlager", which started in 2025. Stephan Thurm, managing director of Funke's digital division, thanked her for the successful construction and continued development of the unit.

• Bettina Steinke left Funke Mediengruppe effective September 1, 2026, at her own request.
• She had been with Funke Mediengruppe since 2018, previously working at Burda Forward.
• She helped develop digital portals including Der Westen, News38, Thüringen24, moin.de, and Berlin Live.

Funke adds political pages to free weeklies

Funke Mediengruppe will add an editorial political double-page to all of its free weekly advertising papers starting Saturday, 29 August 2026. Jörg Quoos, editor‑in‑chief of Funke's central newsroom, will personally provide the political analysis and context. According to Funke, the free weeklies reach up to 4.2 million households weekly across five German federal states. The report originated on Kress.de and was published on MEEDIA with a byline from Marc Bartl on 28 August 2026.

• Funke Mediengruppe will publish a political double-page in all its free weekly advertising papers starting 29 August 2026.
• Jörg Quoos, editor‑in‑chief of Funke's central editorial office, will personally provide the political analysis for the new page.
• The free weekly papers reach up to 4.2 million households weekly in five German federal states, according to Funke.