
Hubert Burda Media is a global media company with a diverse portfolio of assets. It was founded by Hubert Burda in 1961.
The company operates in over 20 countries, with a strong presence in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Hubert Burda Media is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
The company's business structure is divided into three main segments: consumer media, business media, and e-commerce. Consumer media includes magazines, online media, and events, while business media focuses on B2B media and services. E-commerce is a relatively new area of focus for the company, with a focus on online marketplaces and digital services.
Hubert Burda Media has a significant presence in the digital media space, with a range of online publications and platforms. This includes online versions of its print magazines, as well as new digital-only titles.
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History
Hubert Burda Media has its roots in a small printing business founded by Hubert Burda in 1949 in Offenburg, Germany.
The company's early success was driven by its innovative use of offset printing, which allowed for faster and more cost-effective production of magazines.
In the 1950s, Burda began publishing its first magazines, including Bauer, which would become a flagship title.
By the 1960s, Burda Media had expanded its reach to include television production, with the launch of its first TV program in 1962.
Today, the company is a leading media group in Europe, with a diverse portfolio of brands and businesses.
Expansion and Growth
Burda built up its presence in Munich, which became the company's second headquarters, alongside Offenburg.
In 1961, the printing press in Offenburg was converted to modern rotogravure printing presses. The same year saw the inauguration of the 50m high Burda Tower, which became a symbol of the city.
A smokestack of the printing operations served as an observation point with an elevator and a terrace restaurant, already in the 1950s.
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Burda acquired the majority of the Neue Verlags-Gesellschaft publishing company based in Karlsruhe in 1962, which was known for magazines such as "Freundin" and "Film Revue".
Marie-Pierre Kœnig, Commander-in-chief of the French Army in Germany and Military Governor of the French Occupation Zone, was head of the publishing house at the end of the 1940s.
Karl Fritz purchased the Neue Verlags-Gesellschaft in 1953, after having acquired the Bauer Printing Press with Burda in 1938.
Burda bought the Bambi film prize in 1962.
The traditional "Frankfurter Illustrierte" was acquired by Burda in 1963, and was later integrated into "Bunte".
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Company Overview
Hubert Burda Media has a rich history that spans several decades. The company's publishing house experienced a decline in revenues before improving in the late 1980s.
In the 1980s, the circulation of "Bunte" rallied, contributing to the company's growth. Burda Moden was the first Western magazine sold in the Soviet Union in 1987.
By the early 1990s, the company had expanded to the east and launched several successful magazines, including "Superillu" and "Focus". The latter was established in 1993 and quickly gained a large following, reaching a circulation of 300,000 sold copies.
Its advertising revenues eventually surpassed those of "Der Spiegel".
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Group Structure
Hubert Burda Media operates in a decentralized profit center structure, where subsidiaries function largely independently while sharing some central functions such as procurement.
The company has a complex group structure, with 233 companies consolidated under the holding company Hubert Burda Media Holding Kommanditgesellschaft in 2015.
Hubert Burda and a Management GmbH are the personally liable shareholders of the holding company, while the limited partners include the Burda Betriebsführungsgesellschaft and Hubert Burda's two children, Elisabeth and Jacob.
The Management Board consists of five persons, with Paul-Bernhard Kallen serving as CEO since 2010, marking the first time a non-family member held the position.
Holger Eckstein is the CFO, responsible for overseeing the company's finances, while Andreas Rittstieg handles Legal Affairs and Compliance.
Philipp Welte and Stefan Winners are responsible for national media brands and national digital brands, respectively.
The company splits its revenue reporting into five divisional categories: National Digital Brands, National Media Brands, International Media Brands, Print, and Other.
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Assets

The company's assets are quite impressive.
The Burda publishing house started small, with just three employees in Offenburg, Germany.
Franz Burda's son, Senator Franz Burda, expanded the business after discovering his talent for publishing.
His wife, Aenne Burda, played a significant role in the company's success, publishing fashion magazines for over 50 years.
Doctor Hubert Burda joined the publishing house in the 1960s and later took over as CEO after his father's death in 1986.
He led the company to significant milestones, including launching the magazines Focus, Lisa, and Bunte.
Today, the company publishes 262 magazines worldwide, including 75 in Germany.
They also have shares in various internet projects and radio stations, develop TV projects, and focus on digital business and lifestyle.
Some of their notable magazine brands include Elle (Germany), InStyle (Germany), and Playboy (Russia and Germany).
Their own brands, such as Lisa, Focus, and Bunte, are well-known and successful.
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Media and Brands
Hubert Burda Media owns a vast array of media and digital brands, with over 70 magazines under its belt, including Radio Times.
The company's portfolio also includes TV and radio broadcasters, as well as various mail order and service and marketing firms.
In 2018, Hubert Burda Media reported roughly 600 media products released in Germany and 18 other countries, showcasing its significant global reach.
Some of the key divisions of the Group include Blue Ocean Entertainment, BCN, BurdaDirect, and BurdaTech, which operate largely independently as profit centers.
Here are some of the well-known media and digital brands of Hubert Burda Media:
- Blue Ocean Entertainment
- BCN
- BurdaDirect
- BurdaTech
- Radio Times
- Immediate Media
- HolidayCheck Group
Media and Brands
Hubert Burda Media owns a vast array of media and digital brands, including over 70 magazines and websites. These publications cater to diverse interests, from fashion and lifestyle to news and technology.
The company's portfolio includes Radio Times, which is one of its many TV and radio broadcasters. It also acquired Immediate Media from its private equity owner Exponent and Management for £270m.
Hubert Burda Media earns more than half its revenues from digital business models, making it a leader in the media industry's development of digital business models. This is a significant shift from its traditional print-based revenue streams.
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The company's digital presence is vast, with roughly 600 media products released in Germany and 18 other countries in 2018. This includes a range of digital brands, such as Blue Ocean Entertainment and BurdaStyle.
Here are some of the well-known media and digital brands owned by Hubert Burda Media:
- Blue Ocean Entertainment
- BCN
- BurdaDirect
- BurdaDruck
- BurdaForward
- BurdaHome
- BurdaInternational
- BurdaLife
- BurdaNews
- BurdaPrincipal Investments
- BurdaServices
- BurdaStudios
- BurdaStyle
- BurdaTech
- C3 Creative Code and Content
- HolidayCheck Group
Bunte
Bunte is a German-language people magazine that was first published in 1948 under the name "Das Ufer".
It developed into a modern popular magazine under the leadership of Hubert Burda.
Bunte has one of the highest circulations of all German publications and is a very popular media brand in the Group.
Robert Pölzer took over the position of editor-in-chief after Patricia Riekel stepped down.
Bunte is part of Hubert Burda Media, a company that also owns other successful digital brands like Chip Online, one of the largest German-language editorial websites.
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Digital Life Design
Digital Life Design is the international conference and innovation platform of Hubert Burda Media, launched in 2005 as "Digital Lifestyle Day". It's a significant event in the Internet and media sector.
Hubert Burda Media initiated Digital Life Design in 2005, attracting leading innovators, Internet investors, and companies to Munich. This marked a significant step in the company's digital expansion.
Digital Life Design has developed into a notable event, known for drawing representatives from large US groups. Its impact on the digital landscape is undeniable.
In 2007, the Group took over the remaining shares in the Vogel Burda joint venture, which owns the computer magazine "Chip" and the technology portal "Chip Online". This move further solidified Hubert Burda Media's presence in the digital market.
Digital Life Design has become a platform for innovation and collaboration, shaping the future of the digital industry.
Key Figures and Investments
Hubert Burda Media is a funded company, backed by a single institutional investor.
Entertainment Media Ventures is the name of the investor that has put its trust in Hubert Burda Media.
Hubert Burda Media has a total of 1 institutional investor.
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Magazines and Publications
Hubert Burda Media publishes a wide range of magazines, including Bunte, TV Spielfilm, and Elle. Bunte, a celebrity magazine, has been in circulation since 2003 and has a paid circulation of 1.4 million copies in 2024.
The magazine's reach is impressive, with 3.4 million readers in Germany in 2024. TV Spielfilm, a magazine focused on TV shows and movies, has a paid circulation of 1.1 million copies in 2020. Its reach is even more impressive, with 5.5 million readers in Germany in 2024.
Here's a brief overview of the paid circulation of some of the magazines published by Hubert Burda Media:
Freizeit Revue, another magazine published by Hubert Burda Media, is a German-language tabloid magazine that has been in circulation since 1970. It's one of the most widely circulated and profitable publications in the group.
Selected Magazines Published
Let's take a look at some of the selected magazines published by Hubert Burda Media.
Bunte magazine has seen a significant circulation development in Germany, with a paid circulation of around 1 million copies from 2003 to 2024.
The reach of Bunte magazine in Germany has been steadily increasing, with a peak of 6 million readers in 2008.
Here's a breakdown of the magazines published by Hubert Burda Media, along with their paid circulation and reach in Germany:
These magazines have been consistently popular in Germany, with a loyal readership and a strong presence in the market.
Freizeit Revue
Freizeit Revue is a German-language tabloid magazine that first appeared in 1970. It's a popular publication that carries content on celebrities and practical tips.
Freizeit Revue is one of the most widely circulated and profitable publications in its group. Its editor-in-chief is Kai Winckler.
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