The Financial Times Deutschland, a German financial newspaper, was launched in 1993 by the British newspaper group Financial Times. It was a joint venture with the German publishing company Gruner + Jahr.
The newspaper was initially a weekly publication, but it later became a daily newspaper in 1995. The Financial Times Deutschland was known for its in-depth coverage of financial news and analysis.
The newspaper's circulation peaked in 2001 with over 120,000 copies sold per day. However, its popularity began to decline in the following years due to increased competition from online news sources.
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History of FTD
Financial Times Deutschland was founded on 21 February 2000 as a joint venture between UK Financial Times publisher Pearson and Gruner + Jahr.
The first issue of the Financial Times Deutschland was published on 21 February 2000. This marked the beginning of the newspaper's journey.
Andrew Gowers was the original editor of the Financial Times Deutschland. His leadership played a significant role in shaping the newspaper's early years.
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Circulation grew to 103,000 readers by the third quarter of 2007. This was a notable milestone for the newspaper.
Pearson sold their stake in the Financial Times Deutschland to Gruner + Jahr at the beginning of 2008 for €10m. This sale included an agreement for Pearson to receive annual licence fees of €500,000.
The Financial Times Deutschland became no longer subject to any editorial control from the Financial Times after the sale to Gruner + Jahr. This marked a significant shift in the newspaper's operations.
The circulations of the Financial Times Deutschland in 2008, 2009, and 2010 were 112,238 copies, 103,276 copies, and 103,609 copies, respectively. These numbers provide insight into the newspaper's reach and popularity.
Gruner + Jahr acquired 50% of the Financial Times Deutschland from Pearson in 2008. This move made Gruner + Jahr the sole owner of the newspaper.
The Financial Times Deutschland was eventually discontinued due to financial losses. The newspaper had accumulated over €250 million in losses by the time of its closure.
For another approach, see: J. Michael Pearson
Changes and Cuts
The Financial Times Deutschland is facing some tough times. The publisher Gruner & Jahr wants to reduce the magazine's size and cancel its weekend supplement.
Time contracts won't be renewed, but layoffs are not planned. This is a big change for the magazine.
The publisher is in talks to take a leading operational role at the magazine. This could be a significant shift in how the magazine is run.
The Financial Times Deutschland is not the only struggling newspaper - the Frankfurter Rundschau is also facing difficulties.
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Profile and Overview
Financial Times Deutschland was founded in 2000 as a joint venture between Pearson and Gruner + Jahr. It was a German-language version of the Financial Times, a renowned British newspaper.
The paper's original editor was Andrew Gowers, who likely played a significant role in shaping the newspaper's content and direction.
The newspaper's circulation grew steadily, reaching 103,000 readers by the third quarter of 2007, but unfortunately, it never turned a profit.
In 2008, Pearson sold its stake to Gruner + Jahr for €10m and an agreement to receive annual licence fees of €500,000.
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FTD Last affects Grüner year
Gruner+Jahr, a well-known publishing company, has been affected by the demise of the Financial Times Deutschland (FTD). The company has slipped into the loss zone due to the FTD's closure.
The FTD's shutdown has been a significant blow to Gruner+Jahr. This has led to a decline in the company's financial performance.
Despite the challenges, the board of directors remains optimistic about the company's future. They believe that important decisions have been made to set the stage for a successful recovery.
However, the rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter has raised questions about the relevance of traditional journalism. With users able to access pre-curated and directly delivered news snippets, the format of traditional articles is being questioned.
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History and Profile
Financial Times Deutschland was founded on 21 February 2000 as a joint venture between UK Financial Times publisher Pearson and Gruner + Jahr.
The paper's original editor was Andrew Gowers. The paper was launched at the height of the dot-com bubble, which likely influenced its initial circulation numbers.
Circulation grew to 103,000 readers by the third quarter of 2007, but the paper never turned a profit. This suggests that the business model was not sustainable in the long term.
At the beginning of 2008 Pearson sold their stake to Gruner + Jahr for €10m and an agreement to receive annual licence fees of €500,000. This marked a significant shift in ownership and control of the paper.
The circulations of the daily in 2008, 2009, and 2010 were 112,238 copies, 103,276 copies, and 103,609 copies, respectively. These numbers show a relatively stable circulation over the three years, despite the change in ownership.
Consider reading: Currency in Circulation
Closure
Financial Times Deutschland closed its doors in November 2012, marking the end of a 12-year run that saw the paper accumulate a staggering cumulative loss of €250m.
The closure was announced by Gruner + Jahr as part of a restructuring of their economics publishing division, which had failed to find a buyer for the title.
Steffen Klusmann was the final editor of the paper, taking on the role in August 2004 after Christoph Keese's departure to rival Welt am Sonntag.
The last print edition of FTD was published on December 7, 2012, featuring an all-black front cover with the words "Endlich schwarz" ("At last, black"), a nod to the paper's inability to ever turn a profit since its inception.
The final issue was aptly named "Final Time Deutschland", a poignant reminder of the paper's demise.
The paper's internet presence was also closed, bringing an end to its digital offerings.
Following the closure, memorabilia from the newspaper was auctioned off, with the proceeds being donated to press freedom advocates Reporters Without Borders.
Here are some key facts about the closure of Financial Times Deutschland:
- RTL Group was involved in the closure
- The paper was established in 2000 and closed in 2012
- It was a daily newspaper published in Germany
- Business journalism in Germany was affected by its closure
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the financial times have a political bias?
The Financial Times has a generally pro-European and centrist to centre-right editorial stance, advocating for free markets and free trade. This bias is reflected in its opposition to the Iraq War and other policy positions.
How is Germany doing financially?
Germany's economy experienced a slight contraction in the second quarter of 2025, with a 0.1% decline in GDP. Despite this, the country still showed unexpected growth in the first quarter of the year.
Is financial times American or British?
The Financial Times is a British publication, as it is registered in England and Wales. Our headquarters is located in London, England.
Who is the target audience of Financial Times?
The Financial Times targets high-profile business leaders, politicians, and affluent consumers worldwide. Influential and discerning individuals rely on the FT for in-depth financial news and analysis.
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