BBC Studios vs Bertelsmann

Mattel Partners with BBC's Bluey Across Multiple Brands

Mattel announced a multi-year global licensing partnership with BBC Studios to bring the animated series Bluey to five of its major brands: Fisher-Price's Little People, Barbie, Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, and UNO. This move is part of Mattel's strategic shift from a traditional toy maker to a 'brand management company' focused on building lifelong fandom through an ecosystem of toys, entertainment, and live experiences. The partnership was announced by Mattel's chief marketing and brand officer, Roberto Stanichi, at ADWEEK's Brandweek. The collaboration aims to leverage Bluey's emotional resonance to deepen consumer engagement and expand Mattel's franchise ecosystem, aligning with its brand pillars of centering fans and creating immersive experiences.

• Mattel and BBC Studios signed a multi-year global licensing partnership for Bluey.
• Bluey characters will appear in Fisher-Price Little People, Barbie, Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, and UNO products.
• The deal was announced by Mattel's CMO Roberto Stanichi at ADWEEK's Brandweek.

BBC Studios unveils next generation of reality formats at MIPCOM 2026

The Yacht, The Big Date, Silent Attraction and Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro launching to international buyers in session Reality Check: A New Era of Unscripted Formats, on Monday 12 October.

BBC Studios ANZ appoints new Senior Vice President, Head of Streaming & Channels

Liz Baldwin will lead the streaming and channel strategy across Australia and New Zealand.

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.

UFA pilots Twitch quiz hosted by Max Schradin

UFA Show & Factual, Bertelsmann’s production arm, and DLS Consulting are piloting an interactive live quiz for Twitch titled "Was weiß ich?! Frag die Anderen!". The pilot premieres live on August 21, 2026 on streamer Max Schradin’s Twitch channel, with Schradin hosting and creators Zarbex and Trymacs competing. The format lets contestants use their communities as jokers—bringing followers in via video call or letting Twitch chat vote—features surprise guest jokers from creator, comedy and music scenes, and uses a points-and-penalties mechanic culminating in a final round where a supporter can multiply or divide the finalist’s score. UFA frames the project as transferring classical TV quiz expertise into Twitch’s live, interactive community logic and sees potential commercial and distribution opportunities; senior producer Hendrik Thieler and DLS founder David Leonard Stade provided commentary.

• UFA Show & Factual and DLS Consulting produced an interactive Twitch quiz titled "Was weiß ich?! Frag die Anderen!".
• Pilot premieres live 21 August 2026 on Max Schradin's Twitch channel; Schradin hosts; contestants in episode one are Zarbex and Trymacs.
• Format uses community members as jokers via video calls or Twitch chat voting, includes surprise guest jokers and a points-and-penalties mechanic.

Payback Strengthens FMCG Team

Payback, the American Express-owned loyalty business, has expanded its FMCG team to deepen collaboration with consumer-goods partners and accelerate its commerce-media activities. The company created a new role, Lead Sales & New Business FMCG, intended to lead sales efforts and pursue new advertiser and partner opportunities across FMCG. In June Payback appointed Maximilian Aigner — a former Bertelsmann manager with marketing experience — to the position; his hiring has been communicated both internally and externally as a commerce-focused sales appointment. The personnel move is part of a wider strengthening to make Payback more attractive to FMCG companies as it builds out commerce and media capabilities. The appointment was reported on 13 August 2026 by Horizont (Michael Reidel) and Lebensmittelzeitung (DFV Mediengruppe).

• Payback (American Express-owned) expanded its FMCG team and created the role Lead Sales & New Business FMCG to boost commerce-media activities and partner collaboration.
• Maximilian Aigner joined Payback in June as a former Bertelsmann manager with marketing experience and holds the new commerce-focused sales role.
• The personnel change is intended to make Payback more attractive to FMCG companies by strengthening sales and new-business capabilities.