Individual Owners

The German media landscape is characterised by a small group of influential families and individuals. At the top is the Mohn family, which controls the Bertelsmann Group, Europe's largest media company.

Not far behind are Friede Springer and Mathias Döpfner, the main shareholders of Axel Springer SE. The Burda and Bauer families are similarly influential.

The heirs of the Holtzbrinck publishing group also play a significant role in the German media scene. The regional newspaper sector is characterised by family businesses.