FOCUS Online vs WELT

Burda merges Focus print and online editorial teams

Burda is merging the editorial teams of its Focus magazine brand with Focus Online and Focus+ under the project "Focus One". The first step was taken in late October with the installation of a joint editorial board, including Georg Meck, Franziska Reich, Carsten Fiedler, and Florian Festl. The four newsrooms, located in Munich and Berlin, will be consolidated in Q1 2027, with the legal merger of the companies (BurdaVerlag and BurdaForward) planned for mid-2027. The digital product is being shifted toward paid content, with Focus Online now mixing Plus articles into the homepage and targeting 4,000 trial subscriptions by year-end. The goal is a "digital first" approach, producing print editions from digital content.

• Burda merges editorial teams of Focus, Focus Money, Focus Online, and Focus+ under the project 'Focus One'.
• Joint editorial board installed at the end of October 2026.
• Newsrooms in Munich and Berlin consolidated in Q1 2027, with full integration by mid-2027.

Neuer Rückruf bei VW: Brandgefahr bei ID.-Modellen

Nach dem Lenkschrauben-Rückruf droht VW der nächste Ärger: Bei ID.-Modellen und Cupra Born besteht Akku-Brandgefahr. FOCUS online erklärt, wie Sie herausfinden, ob Ihr Fahrzeug betroffen ist.

SRG Returns to FM Radio, WDR Redesigns 1Live Sound

The Swiss public broadcaster SRG is resuming FM (UKW) transmission from mid-November 2026, after having discontinued it at the end of 2024. The move follows a parliamentary decision in late 2025 to extend FM broadcasting. Initially, about 80% of the population will be able to receive SRG radio programs analog again. The annual cost is approximately 6.5 million Swiss francs, and FM will serve as a supplementary offer alongside DAB+ and internet. In Germany, WDR has given its youth radio station 1Live a new sound design, the first relaunch in six years, created with producer Florian Kiermaier (Flo August) emphasizing real instruments. Additionally, Radio Bremen announced the eighth season of the crime podcast 'Kein Mucks!' with Bastian Pastewka, starting November 12. 'Politico Deutschland' and 'Welt' have launched a new politics podcast 'Inside links'.

• SRG resumes FM (UKW) transmission from mid-November 2026, initially covering about 80% of the population.
• The annual cost of the FM resumption is approximately 6.5 million Swiss francs.
• WDR has redesigned the sound of its youth radio station 1Live, the first relaunch in six years.

Markus Lanz's America Documentary Draws Strong Ratings

In the run-up to the US midterm elections, ZDF's documentary 'Markus Lanz - Amerika ungeschminkt' attracted 2.52 million viewers and a 19.0% market share at 22:15, outperforming the earlier 20:15 slot documentary 'Letzte Ausfahrt Midterms' (2.09 million, 9.5%). The 'heute-journal' achieved 3.76 million viewers (20.9% share), boosting the evening. Lanz's talk show maintained strong ratings, and 'Journal Deluxe' with Florian Schroeder debuted well. In contrast, live election coverage on Das Erste/Phoenix and Welt drew only modest audiences, with ntv skipping special coverage.

• Markus Lanz's documentary 'Amerika ungeschminkt' drew 2.52 million viewers and a 19.0% market share at 22:15.
• The earlier documentary 'Letzte Ausfahrt Midterms' at 20:15 only reached 2.09 million viewers (9.5% share).
• ZDF's 'heute-journal' attracted 3.76 million viewers and a 20.9% market share.

Axel Springer Launches Creator Program for Journalists

German media giant Axel Springer announced the launch of "Axel Springer Creators", a new program designed to support journalists in building and scaling their own media brands independent of established news outlets. Paul Ronzheimer, a prominent war correspondent, is the first participant and will leave his role as deputy editor-in-chief of Bild to focus on expanding his successful podcast "Ronzheimer" and developing new audio and video formats. The company will assist creators with production, technology, and marketing, offering them greater editorial and entrepreneurial freedom with a share of commercial success. This move reflects a strategic shift towards individual journalist brands, as highlighted by CEO Mathias Döpfner's previous comments on the growing importance of creators in the media landscape.

• Axel Springer launches 'Axel Springer Creators' program for journalists.
• Paul Ronzheimer joins as first participant, leaving Bild deputy editor-in-chief role.
• Ronzheimer's podcast 'Ronzheimer' had over 12 million cross-platform views in September.