Observed Signal · Sep 9, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: Horizont · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Axel Springer Relaunches Welt am Sonntag, Removes Blue Bar
Axel Springer is relaunching its Sunday newspaper Welt am Sonntag with a new layout and structure. The most notable change is the removal of the iconic blue bar from the title page, marking the most significant redesign of the paper's title header since 1952. The article is partially behind a paywall, as it indicates that further details on other changes are available in the full text. This redesign reflects Axel Springer's ongoing efforts to modernize its media properties and adapt to contemporary reader preferences.
Minor news: a print redesign of a single newspaper, not a major industry shift.
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Axel Springer ends Welt am Sonntag regional print editions
Axel Springer plans to discontinue the printed regional supplements of its Sunday title Welt am Sonntag for Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, likely by the end of the year, and will dissolve the corresponding regional editorial teams. The move affects the former regional newsrooms in Hamburg and Düsseldorf. The report was published by Horizont on August 28, 2026 and authored by Roland Pimpl. The article frames the change as part of a longer-term consolidation of the group's regional editorial resources.
Axel Springer Academy Takes Over B.Z. Editorial
Axel Springer is handing leadership and editorial responsibility for the Berlin tabloid B.Z. to the Axel Springer Academy of Journalism and Technology. Miriam Krekel, who was B.Z. editor-in-chief from 2017–2022 and now leads the Academy, will oversee the title. Springer describes the move as a radical editorial reorganisation aimed at rejuvenating the brand, experimenting with innovative formats (including AI-supported hyperlocal journalism), and proving local tabloid journalism can remain economically viable. The new B.Z. newsroom will mix experienced editors with rotating journalism students from the Academy. Springer expects low double-digit job reductions in the current B.Z. team and plans voluntary and socially compatible measures. There will be no separate B.Z. editor-in-chief; the future role of recent editorial lead Jan Schilde is currently unclear.
Axel Springer Plans Job Cuts Across Premium Group
Axel Springer is planning job cuts across its Premium Group, which includes Welt, Politico, Business Insider, and Icon. The company confirmed reductions affecting all areas, from editorial to graphics and business divisions. The cuts are expected to be in the medium double-digit range across all brands, aiming to eliminate duplicate and triple structures. While Süddeutsche Zeitung reported around 50 roles mainly at Welt, Springer did not confirm this, emphasizing all brands are affected. As a first step, the regional editorial offices of Welt am Sonntag in Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia are being dissolved, with printed regional supplements discontinued at year-end. This impacts six permanent editors and several freelancers. The company is in discussions with the works council to find mutually agreeable solutions. This follows Axel Springer's recent acquisition of the British Telegraph.
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