Handelsblatt Media Group vs manager magazin

FAZ, SZ, Zeit, Handelsblatt announce joint ad sales merger plans

The publishers of leading German newspapers including FAZ, Handelsblatt, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Die Zeit have formally applied to Germany's Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) to establish a joint advertising sales house. This move, initially reported by HORIZONT in May 2026, advances earlier preparations. The new entity aims to bundle the publishers' reach, offering advertisers a unified access point and strengthening their competitive position against global digital and AI platforms. Each publisher would hold a 25% stake, consolidating existing structures such as IQ Digital, IQ Media, and the Republic joint venture. The application, filed on October 16, 2026, requires approval from the Bundeskartellamt, and the launch timeline remains uncertain.

• The publishers of FAZ, Handelsblatt, SZ, and ZEIT have applied to the Bundeskartellamt to form a joint advertising sales house.
• Each publisher is planned to hold a 25% stake in the new joint venture.
• Existing structures IQ Digital, IQ Media, and the Republic joint venture are to be consolidated into the new entity.

Andrea Wasmuth, Sebastian Christensen und Stefan Buhr leiten Holtzbrinck Media

Zum 01. Januar 2027 übernehmen Andrea Wasmuth, bislang Vorsitzende der Geschäftsführung der Handelsblatt Media Group und der DvH Medien, Sebastian Christensen, Geschäftsführer der Handelsblatt Media Group, und Stefan Buhr, Geschäftsführer der Tagesspiegel Gruppe, die Geschäftsführung der Holtzbrinck Media. Andrea Wasmuth wird Vorsitzende der Geschäftsführung.

Holtzbrinck Media Names Leadership Trio for New Group

The leadership team for the newly formed integrated publishing group Holtzbrinck Media has been announced. The group, created from the merger of Handelsblatt Media Group, Tagesspiegel Group, and Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien, will launch on January 1, 2027. Andrea Wasmuth, previously head of Handelsblatt, will chair the management trio, joined by Sebastian Christensen and Stefan Buhr. Christensen, a managing director at Handelsblatt since 2023, and Buhr, Tagesspiegel's managing director since April 2025, bring complementary expertise. Nicolas Köhn, Tagesspiegel's co-managing director, will depart at year-end after leading its digital growth, increasing Tagesspiegel Plus subscriptions from around 30,000 to over 50,000. The new team aims to combine strengths for a modern media house, following publisher Dieter von Holtzbrinck's decision to consolidate his holdings and sell his 50% stake in 'Zeit'.

• Holtzbrinck Media will be formed on January 1, 2027, from Handelsblatt Media Group, Tagesspiegel Group, and Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien.
• Andrea Wasmuth will chair the management board, joined by Sebastian Christensen and Stefan Buhr.
• Nicolas Köhn will step down as managing director of Tagesspiegel Group at the end of 2026.

Enpal Withdraws Injunctions; Reporting Fully Permitted

The Kammergericht Berlin appeal prompted Enpal and its founder Mario Kohle to withdraw all cease-and-desist requests against manager magazin, covering 18 contested points. As a result, previously imposed first-instance prohibitions by the Landgericht Berlin are now moot and the publisher has restored full access to its October 2025 investigation into alleged unlawful working conditions at Enpal—reporting that had included expert statements describing some contractual practices as "modern slavery." Enpal denies the allegations. The publisher states the appeal outcome allows its reporting to be available in full again. The article was published on 2026-08-31.

• Enpal and founder Mario Kohle withdrew all 18 cease-and-desist requests in the appeal before the Kammergericht Berlin.
• The Kammergericht Berlin indicated it intended to decide in favor of manager magazin on the contested points, prompting the withdrawal.
• Manager magazin's October 2025 investigation alleged unlawful working conditions at Enpal and cited experts who used the term "modern slavery."

Siemens CEO warns against excessive AI regulation

Siemens CEO Roland Busch said he supports AI's positive effects and warned that excessive regulation from Brussels could slow technological progress. Speaking to Welt am Sonntag, Busch argued that EU rules like the proposed AI Act or Data Act may take years to pass while AI models evolve rapidly, leaving regulation behind. He also said the current AI boom is not a bubble and noted Siemens' strong demand for AI-related data center business, particularly in the U.S. Busch cautioned against broad tariffs on China, praising Chinese competitors' engineering and rapid adoption of new technologies.

• Siemens CEO Roland Busch warned that too much regulation could slow AI development.
• Busch told Welt am Sonntag that the AI boom is not a bubble and that investments are coming from companies with significant cashflow.
• Siemens has benefited from high demand for AI-related data center solutions, especially in the U.S.

GTA 6 gameplay debuts on Netflix; $1.5B cost

Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is reported to have cost at least $1.5 billion to produce, making it the most expensive entertainment product to date. For the first time, gameplay footage (a 26-minute segment) has been shown, initially released exclusively on Netflix. The game's protagonists are named Lucia and Jason. The article was published by manager magazin on August 28, 2026, and is authored by Michael Herold. Photo credit in the piece is attributed to Rockstar Games.

• GTA 6 production cost is reported at at least $1.5 billion.
• A 26-minute gameplay segment from GTA 6 was shown for the first time, initially exclusive to Netflix.
• The game's protagonists are Lucia and Jason.