Observed Signal · Oct 27, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: Meedia · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
BVDA Chairman Lenders: Print Weeklies Remain True Mass Media
The BVDA, Germany's association for free weekly newspapers, is holding its congress in Essen, where Alexander Lenders steps down after more than a decade as chairman. In an interview, he highlights the industry's stability despite rising costs, citing a 2025 net advertising revenue of around 1.15 billion euros, roughly flat year-on-year. Lenders sees a comeback of print flyers as retailers return to a mix of print and digital, and notes record insert revenues for some member publishers. He criticizes politicians for broken promises on cost relief, particularly regarding mini-job restrictions that could threaten delivery logistics. The association is now focusing on demands to preserve mini-jobs, cut bureaucracy, and secure delivery infrastructure, having dropped the issue of press subsidies. Going forward, leadership will be shared by a three-person team.
The article provides an industry overview of free weekly newspapers in Germany, highlighting stable ad revenues and a potential print comeback, but does not introduce major shifts in AdTech or digital advertising.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Alexander Lenders steps down as BVDA chairman after more than 10 years.
- BVDA represents 103 publishers with 312 titles and a weekly circulation of 23.3 million copies.
- Free weekly newspapers generated net advertising revenue of approximately 1.15 billion euros in 2025.
- BVDA drops press subsidy demands, focuses on mini-job protection and delivery infrastructure.
- Leadership to be restructured into a three-person team.
Connected Companies & Entities
“The Funke Mediengruppe produces central editorial content for its weekly newspapers.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
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BVDA Board: Logistics, Not Big Tech, Key Challenge
Dennis Prien, Chief Sales Officer of Funke Publishing, was elected to the board of the BVDA (Federal Association of Free Weekly Newspapers). In an interview, he discusses the economic pressures facing free weekly newspapers, particularly rising delivery costs due to minimum wage increases and potential changes to mini-jobs. Prien emphasizes that logistics, not Big Tech, is the industry's main challenge. He highlights the resilience of the business model, the importance of leaflet and brochure revenues, and the value of these publications for local journalism and democracy. He also explains Funke's integrated sales approach and the continued relevance of print for prospect distribution, despite digital alternatives.
BVDA warns minijobs threatened by pension reform
The Bundesverband kostenloser Wochenzeitungen (BVDA) warned that a proposed German pension reform could effectively abolish minijobs by making them mandatory members of the statutory pension insurance, removing the current opt-out and the special tax/social status. A government-appointed commission presented 33 reform proposals which the coalition intends to implement in full. BVDA chair Alexander Lenders supports stronger pension security but argues the change would reduce net pay for many delivery workers, making newspaper distribution and other sectors (free weekly papers, gastronomy, retail) unattractive or unviable. The BVDA calls for practical safeguards such as transitional rules, exceptions or branch-specific solutions to protect local delivery structures and part‑time earning opportunities.
BDZV Head: Shocked by Government's Ignorance of Press
In an interview with turi2, Jörg Eggers, Managing Director of the German Newspaper Publishers Association (BDZV), expresses shock at the federal government's perceived ignorance towards the press. He criticizes the lack of fair framework conditions, high taxes on newspapers, and the dominance of tech monopolies. Eggers announces alliances, including with public broadcasters and the magazine publishers association (MVFP), to advocate for media freedom and fair competition. He also discusses the challenges of physical newspaper distribution and the need for political action to secure the future of journalism.
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