NPG plans media revolution: majority in Media Holding Süd in its sights!

NPG plans media revolution: majority in Media Holding Süd in its sights!

Neue Pressegesellschaft mbH & Co. KG (NPG) is planning to take over 82% of Medienholding Süd GmbH (MHS), based in Stuttgart. However, this project is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. The MHS includes important titles such as the “Stuttgarter Zeitung”, the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten”, the “Eßlinger Zeitung”, the “Schwarzwälder Bote” and the “Kreiszeitung Böblinger Bote”. With the full integration of the MHS titles, NPG would increase its sold circulation to around 500,000 copies, while collaboration with partner publishers could increase total circulation to around 700,000 copies. This would make NPG one of the largest media groups in Germany and reach around a million readers every day, which would also strengthen its position in the regional media market.

The NPG is one of the ten largest daily newspapers in Germany with a workforce of around 1,700 employees, excluding delivery staff. This happens in an environment in which Medienholding Süd GmbH also has comparable employee numbers. These figures reflect the important role that media publishers play in regional information provision.

Market position of the Südwestdeutsche Medienholding

Südwestdeutsche Medienholding GmbH (SWMH) is of great importance for the newspaper market in Germany. In the first quarter of 2022, SWMH achieved a market share of around 11.8 percent, securing first place among the publishing groups in the country. The holding company, which was founded in its current form in 1974, includes the Stuttgart newspaper group and the Schwarzwälder Bote.

The SWMH is owned by the Württemberg Publishers Group (GWV) and the Medien-Union-GmbH. The latter also publishes important regional newspapers such as “Die Rheinpfalz” and “Freie Presse”. In 2021, the holding company achieved sales of around 882.6 million euros, with the reader market, in particular sales sales of 370.4 million euros, being the most important segment. Despite a slight decline in circulation figures, SWMH generated a profit of around 14.8 million euros in 2021.

The future of the publishing landscape

Another aspect of the media landscape is the development of the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), which, with around 283,800 copies sold in the first quarter of 2023, takes second place among the publications with the highest circulation. Their digital reach should also not be underestimated: in March 2023, the SZ's digital offering had around 11.9 million unique users. The collaboration between NPG and MHS could further strengthen the position of regional titles in a market that is increasingly characterized by digital competition.

These strategic considerations illustrate how important adapting to new media formats and integrating publishers are for the future of the industry. The success of the NPG and its potential takeover of MHS could therefore have far-reaching effects on the regional and national media landscape in Germany.