Editing Bertelsmann (section)

== History ==

=== 1835–1933 ===
[[File:Bertelsmann-Signet.jpg|thumb|The original C. Bertelsmann Verlag company logo as it appears on Carl Bertelsmann's tomb in Gütersloh]]

The nucleus of the corporation is the ''C. Bertelsmann Verlag'', a publishing house established on 1 July 1835 by Carl Bertelsmann in Gütersloh.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann |location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=12}}</ref> Carl Bertelsmann was a representative of the "[[Minden-Ravensberg]]er Erweckungsbewegung", a [[Christian revival|Protestant revival]] movement, whose writings he published.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Singen zu Gottes Ehre und eigener Freude| newspaper=Westfalen-Blatt|date=1 July 2010}}</ref> The C. Bertelsmann Verlag, originally specialized in theological literature, expanded its publications to include school and textbooks and in the 1920s and 1930s increasingly entered into the field of light fiction.<ref>{{cite book| language=de|first=Thomas |last= Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns| publisher= Fink| location=Paderborn, Munich| year= 2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=27}}</ref>

=== 1933–1945 ===
In [[Nazi Germany]], the publishing house gained a prominent position with its affordable ''Bertelsmann Volksausgaben'' ("people's editions").<ref>{{cite book|author1=Norbert Frei| author2= Saul Friedländer| author3= Trutz Rendtorff| author4= Reinhard Wittmann| language= de| title= Bertelsmann im Dritten Reich| publisher= Bertelsmann| location= Munich| year=2002| isbn= 3-570-00711-1| page=157}}</ref> In particular, war adventure books such as Werner von Langsdorff's ''Fliegerbuch'' on aviation were a commercial success.<ref>{{cite book |first=Thomas |last= Lehning|language=de|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns| publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=28}}</ref> Heinrich Mohn belonged to the patrons' circle of the ''[[SS]]'' and sought to turn his company into a National Socialist model enterprise.<ref>{{cite book| language= de|author1=Norbert Frei|author2=Saul Friedländer|author3=Trutz Rendtorff| author4=Reinhard Wittmann| title= Bertelsmann im Dritten Reich| publisher= Bertelsmann| location= Munich| year=2002|isbn=3-570-00711-1|page=347}}</ref> During [[World War II]], the C. Bertelsmann Verlag became a leading supplier to the ''[[Wehrmacht]]'',<ref>{{cite news |title= Bertelsmann größter NS-Lieferant| newspaper=[[Saarbrücker Zeitung]]| date=18 January 2000| language=de}}</ref> even surpassing [[Franz Eher Nachfolger|Franz Eher]],  the central publishing house of the [[Nazi Party]].<ref>{{cite book| author1= Norbert Frei|author2=Saul Friedländer| author3=Trutz Rendtorff| author4= Reinhard Wittmann| language= de|title= Bertelsmann im Dritten Reich| publisher= Bertelsmann| location= Munich| year=2002|isbn=3-570-00711-1|page=423}}</ref> Especially in the years between 1939 and 1941, the revenues of the C. Bertelsmann Verlag skyrocketed.<ref>{{cite book| language= de|first=Thomas |last= Lehning| title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns| publisher= Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich| year= 2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page= 30}}</ref> Jewish slave laborers were not forced to work in Gütersloh, but in printing plants in [[Lithuania]] with which the C. Bertelsmann Verlag cooperated.<ref>{{cite news |title= Bertelsmann im NS-Staat| language= de|newspaper=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]]|date=9 October 2002| page= 54}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title= Literaturnobelpreis am Donnerstag| language=de|newspaper=[[Der Standard]]|date=9 October 2002| page=26}}</ref> In 1944, the [[Reichskulturkammer|''Reichsschrifttumskammer'']] (Reich Chamber of Literature) closed the publishing house to "mobilize all powers for victory".<ref>{{cite book|author1=Norbert Frei |author2=Saul Friedländer| author3= Trutz Rendtorff| author4= Reinhard Wittmann| language= de| title= Bertelsmann im Dritten Reich| publisher= Bertelsmann| location= Munich|year=2002|isbn=3-570-00711-1| pages=503}}</ref> Another essential reason for this was criminal paper racketeering by some publisher's employees,<ref>{{cite news| language= de|title=Bücher im Dienst der Kriegspropaganda|newspaper=[[Berliner Zeitung]]|date=8 October 2002|page=14}}</ref> which led to a [[legal proceeding|trial]] in 1944.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bertelsmann-Chef zeigt Reue| language=de| newspaper= Handelsblatt|date=8 October 2002| page=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| language=de|title=Die Gabe des Vergessens|newspaper=Neue Zürcher Zeitung|date=31 October 2008| page= 63|first=Thomas |last=Schuler}}</ref>

=== 1945–1970 ===
After World War II, the company portrayed itself to the Allied Control Authority as a Christian publisher that was part of the [[German resistance to Nazism|resistance to Nazism]] and allegedly persecuted. Ties to National Socialist organizations were initially denied. After it became known that erroneous, or at least inadequate, statements had been made, Heinrich Mohn stepped down as the head of the publishing house.<ref>{{cite book| title= 175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=22}}</ref> [[Reinhard Mohn]], one of his three sons, took over the C. Bertelsmann Verlag, as Hans Heinrich Mohn had been killed in the war and Sigbert Mohn was still a prisoner of war.<ref>{{cite book| language= de| first= Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns| publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=33}}</ref> In 1947, the Allies finally granted the company a publishing license.<ref>{{cite book| language=de|first=Thomas |last= Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns| publisher= Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich| year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=34}}</ref> After currency reform in 1948, there was a market slump in the book trade that also led to the next existential crisis for the C. Bertelsmann Verlag.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9| page= 135}}</ref> Under these conditions, in 1950 Bertelsmann launched the Lesering (book club) to stimulate sales.<ref>{{cite news|first=Günther |last= Bähr|title=Das allerletzte Kapitel| language=de|magazine=[[Focus (German magazine)|Focus]]|date=14 August 2015|pages=96–97}}</ref> Customers ordered books via subscription and in return received discounted prices.<ref>{{cite news| title=Letztes Kapitel vor Gericht| first=Erich|last= Reimann|newspaper=[[Wiesbadener Kurier]]|date=25 August 2015|language=de}}</ref> The business increasingly shifted from the publishing house to the sale of books, which was decisive to further growth.<ref>{{cite book|language= de|author1= Volker Ackermann| author2= Torsten Groth| author3= Markus Plate| author4= Arist von Schlippe|title=Große deutsche Familienunternehmen: Generationenfolge, Familienstrategie und Unternehmensentwicklung| publisher=[[Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht]]| location=Göttingen|year=2011|isbn=978-3-525-40338-9|page=82}}</ref>

In 1959, the C. Bertelsmann Verlag underwent a restructuring. From that point forward, theological literature was published by the newly established Gütersloher Verlagshaus, which was consolidated with the Rufer Verlag. Fiction, poetry, and art publications were placed under the Sigbert Mohn Verlag. The C. Bertelsmann Verlag focused on nonfiction books, in particular dictionaries, guidebooks, reference books and journals.<ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns|publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=87}}</ref> In the 1950s and 1960s, Bertelsmann expanded its activities into new business areas. In 1956, the company entered the music market with the Bertelsmann Schallplattenring (record club). Two years later, Ariola, one of the most successful German record labels was launched,<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann wird heute 175 Jahre alt (1950–1960)|newspaper=Westfalen-Blatt|date=1 July 2010}}</ref> and virtually at the same time, the [[Sonopress]] record pressing plant was established.<ref>{{cite news|title=Superstar und Freund der Mohns|language=de|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=23 December 2014|page=3}}</ref> With the ''Kommissionshaus Buch & Ton'' (book and audio commissioning company), from which the ''Vereinigte Verlagsauslieferung'' (VVA) emerged, Bertelsmann laid the cornerstone for its service business.<ref>{{cite book|first=Jan Philip |last=Holtman|language=de|title=Pfadabhängigkeit strategischer Entscheidungen: Eine Fallstudie am Beispiel des Bertelsmann-Buchclubs Deutschland|publisher=Kölner Wiss.|location=Cologne|year=2008|isbn=978-3-937404-57-8|url=http://www.diss.fu-berlin.de/diss/receive/FUDISS_thesis_000000008114|access-date=1 October 2015|page=126}}</ref> In 1964, Bertelsmann purchased the already broken-up [[Universum Film AG|UFA]] from the [[Deutsche Bank]] and built on its presence in cinema and television.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-46162677.html|magazine=[[Der Spiegel]]|language=de|title=Klappe zu|date=15 January 1964}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann wird heute 175 Jahre alt (1960–1970)|newspaper=Westfalen-Blatt|date=1 July 2010}}</ref> In 1969, Bertelsmann acquired shares in the magazine publisher [[Gruner + Jahr]]. A merger with [[Axel Springer SE|Axel Springer]], also planned at the time, for which a loan for millions had been taken out temporarily from [[Westdeutsche Landesbank]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-45439917.html|magazine=Der Spiegel|language=de|date=9 March 1970|title=Freundlicher Moloch}}</ref> failed in 1970.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=36}}</ref>

=== 1971–1983 ===
[[File:Reinhard Mohn Portrait 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Portrait of [[Reinhard Mohn]] (2008)]]

Starting in 1971, Bertelsmann operated as a [[joint-stock company]] ("{{lang|de|[[Aktiengesellschaft]]}}" or "AG"), renamed Bertelsmann AG.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=37}}</ref> The increasingly diversifying book publishers were bundled in the ''Verlagsgruppe Bertelsmann'' publishing group at the end of the 1960s.<ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns|publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|pages=88}}</ref> In 1972, this company moved from Gütersloh to Munich.<ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns|publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=91}}</ref> Key divisions remained in Gütersloh, for which a new office building was built in 1976 at the group's official location.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://history.bertelsmann.com/en/milestones/view/52|website=Chronicle|publisher=Bertelsmann|title=Gütersloh Head Office Moves to New Premises|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> To this day, it has remained the Bertelsmann headquarters, referred to as the ''Bertelsmann Corporate Center''. The rapid growth of Bertelsmann led to structural and financial problems. In the 1970s, financing requirements reached their peak. From 1975 to 1980, for example, the [[return on sales]] fell below one percent.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=43}}</ref> Bertelsmann also encountered new regulatory rules in its home market, in particular through laws governing mergers.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=40}}</ref> Larger acquisitions became practically impossible. At the same time, there was an increasing saturation of the German market for the Bertelsmann Lesering,<ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns|publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=56}}</ref> whereas the foreign book clubs earned the lion's share of revenues in this corporate division.<ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns|publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=57}}</ref>

The internationalization of Bertelsmann, initiated in the 1960s, was taken further:<ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Christine |last=Hierl|title=Medienkonzentration und die Internationalisierung deutscher Medienkonzerne am Beispiel der Bertelsmann AG|year=2007|location=München|isbn=978-3-638-60658-5|publisher=GRIN Verlag}}</ref> Among other things, Bertelsmann acquired shares in the publishing houses Plaza & Janés<ref>{{cite news|website=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|language=de|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/chronologie-die-bertelsmann-geschichte-173907.html|title=Chronologie: Die Bertelsmann-Geschichte|date=29 July 2002|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> based in Barcelona and [[Bantam Books]]<ref>{{cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of New York City|edition=2nd|editor1=Kenneth T. Jackson|editor2=Lisa Keller|editor3=Nancy Flood|publisher=[[Yale University Press]]|year=2010}}</ref> from New York City. In the United States, a location was established for [[Ariola Records|Ariola]] and, in 1979, [[Arista Records]] was acquired from [[Columbia Pictures]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date= 28 July 1979|title=Columbia Pictures To Sell Record Unit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/07/28/archives/columbia-pictures-to-sell-record-unit.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |location= |access-date=1 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=2 October 1979 |title=COLUMBIA COMPLETES SALE OF ARISTA RECORDS UNIT |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/137835668/ |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |location= |access-date=1 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Reinhard |last=Mohn|title=Erfolg durch Menschlichkeit und Freiheit|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2008|isbn=978-3-570-01110-2|language=de}}</ref> In the period of the [[Early 1980s recession|1979–1980 recession]], there was discussion concerning the succession of Reinhard Mohn.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|pages=44–45}}</ref> In 1981, he finally moved over to the [[supervisory board]]. Dr. Juergen Kraemer, former Finance Minister of West Germany, who had previously headed up management of Gruner + Jahr, became the new [[chairman]] and [[chief executive officer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/karriere/a-191990.html|website=[[Manager Magazin]]|title=Top-Manager Manfred Fischer ist tot|language=de|date=15 April 2002|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> With this move, Bertelsmann, for the first time, was led by a manager who was not a member of the owner family.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.zeit.de/1981/08/rueckzug-an-die-spitze|title=Rückzug an die Spitze|website=Die Zeit|first=Heinz-Günter|last= Kemmer|date=13 February 1981|access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref> Mark Wössner became Fischer's successor as chairman and chief executive officer of Bertelsmann in 1983.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|magazine=Der Spiegel|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-14355929.html|title=Im Zweifel selbst|date=29 November 1982|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> The affair concerning the forged [[Hitler Diaries|Hitler diaries]] occurred at the beginning of his tenure, which damaged the reputation of Gruner + Jahr and Bertelsmann as a whole.<ref>{{cite news|magazine=Der Spiegel|language=de|title=Die Kehrseite|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-14020705.html|date=30 May 1983|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.zeit.de/1983/28/kopflos-in-die-krise|title=Kopflos in die Krise|author1=Gunhild Freese|author2=Richard Gaul|website=Die Zeit|date=8 July 1983|access-date=20 November 2015|language=de}}</ref>

=== 1984–1993 ===
Mark Wössner brought the subsidiaries closer to headquarters in Gütersloh.<ref>{{cite book|language=de|page=85|title=Die Bertelsmann Methode|first=Jean-Marc |last=Göttert|publisher=Redline|location=Munich|year=2013|isbn=978-3-86414-393-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns|publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=109}}</ref> In particular, this involved business development and controlling.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=46}}</ref> Under the leadership of Mark Wössner, Bertelsmann also took a stake in [[RTL Television|RTL plus]], the first private TV broadcaster in Germany.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bertelsmann wird heute 175 Jahre alt (1980–1990)|language=de|newspaper=Westfalen-Blatt|date=1 July 2010}}</ref> In 1986, Bertelsmann acquired a majority in [[RCA Records]] and merged its activities in the music market with the new [[Bertelsmann Music Group]].<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=48}}</ref> [[Sonopress]], a company established in 1958 to manufacture records, was not part of the Bertelsmann Music Group, rather it was assigned to the print and industrial division.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nw.de/lokal/kreis_guetersloh/guetersloh/guetersloh/20671294_Sonopress-kehrt-zu-seinem-Namen-zurueck.html|website=Neue Westfälische|language=de|title=Sonopress kehrt zu seinem Namen zurück|first=Ludger|last=Osterkamp|date=6 January 2016|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> With [[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]], another well-known publishing house was acquired.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/chronik-das-rasante-wachstum-des-bertelsmann-verlags-a-653130.html|website=[[Spiegel Online]]|title=Chronik: Das rasante Wachstum des Bertelsmann-Verlags|date=4 October 2009|access-date=20 November 2015|language=de}}</ref> As a result, the group ascended to become a well-known international company, and Bertelsmann was temporarily the world's largest media group.<ref name="Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA">{{cite web|url=http://www.mediadb.eu/en/data-base/international-media-corporations/bertelsmann-se-co-kgaa.html|title=Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA|website=Media Data Base|publisher=[[Institute for Media and Communication Policy]]|access-date=20 May 2016|date=11 May 2016}}</ref>

In the [[financial year]] of 1990/1991, Bertelsmann had over 45,000 employees and reached sales of 14.5 billion [[Deutsche Mark]] annually. 63% involved business outside of Germany, and the United States was the most important foreign market.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=53}}</ref> After the [[German reunification]] and the end of the [[Cold War]], Bertelsmann also expanded to [[East Germany]], as well as into [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://history.bertelsmann.com/en/milestones/view/75|website=Chronicle|publisher=Bertelsmann|title=Lots of Action on the Eastern Front|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> For example, in 1989 the first branch outlet of the ''Club Bertelsmann'' opened in [[Dresden]].<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=55}}</ref> The later development of Bertelsmann in the 1990s was marked by the spread of the [[Internet]] as a mass medium, as well as changes to the ownership structure.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=54}}</ref> In 1993, Reinhard Mohn transferred the majority of capital shares to the [[Bertelsmann Stiftung]] and assumed its chairmanship.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bertelsmann wird heute 175 Jahre alt (1990–2000)|language=de|newspaper=Westfalen-Blatt|date=1 July 2010}}</ref> The foundation itself was financed by profits of the company.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/die-reichsten-deutschen-der-asketische-revolutionaer-a-176555.html|language=de|website=Spiegel Online|first=Jean-Marc |last=Göttert|title=Die reichsten Deutschen: Der asketische Revolutionär|date=11 January 2002|access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref>

=== 1994–2000 ===
[[File:Penguin Random House Tower New York 2005.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Random House Tower|Penguin Random House Tower]] in [[New York City]] (2005)]]

In 1994, Gruner + Jahr acquired the magazines of ''[[The New York Times]]'', whereby Bertelsmann was once again able to expand its presence in foreign markets.<ref name="Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA"/> From 1995, there was a new business division of multimedia at Bertelsmann. Its centerpiece was [[AOL|AOL Europe]],<ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns|publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=274}}</ref> a joint venture of America Online and Bertelsmann.<ref>{{cite news|website=ComputerWoche|publisher=[[International Data Group]]|language=de|url=http://www.computerwoche.de/a/minderheitsbeteiligung-und-joint-venture-beschlossen-bertelsmann-macht-gemeinsame-sache-mit-america-online-dienst,1112769|title=Minderheitsbeteiligung und Joint-venture beschlossen|date=10 March 1995|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> Prior to that, Bertelsmann had already acquired a direct share in America Online.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.golem.de/0001/5758.html|language=de|website=Golem|title=Bertelsmann: Kein Groll wegen Time Warner + AOL|first=Andreas |last=Donath|date=10 January 2000|access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|website=StreamingMedia|url=http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/News/Online-Video-News/Bertelsmann-And-America-Online-Announce-Launch-Of-Strategic-Global-Alliance-And-Plan-To-Restructure-Joint-Ventures-62211.aspx|title=Bertelsmann And America Online Announce Launch Of Strategic Global Alliance And Plan To Restructure Joint Ventures|date=17 March 2000|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> The multimedia division also included ''mediaWays'' and ''Pixelpark''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ingrid |last=Scheithauer|title=Die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette besetzen|language=de|newspaper=[[Frankfurter Rundschau]]|date=27 September 1996|page=11}}</ref> In 1997, UFA merged with ''Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion'' (CLT) to become a joint entertainment group based in [[Luxembourg]].<ref>{{cite news|magazine=Der Spiegel|title=Teuflisch intelligent|language=de|date=8 April 1996|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-8905730.html}}</ref> With CLT-UFA, Bertelsmann was able to decisively diversify its business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Die Weichen für das TV-Geschäft der Zukunft sind gestellt|first=Gunhild |last=Freese|newspaper=[[Die Zeit]]|language=de|date=12 April 1996}}</ref> In 1998, [[Thomas Middelhoff]] succeeded Mark Wössner as Bertelsmann's chairman and chief executive officer.<ref>{{cite news|magazine=Der Spiegel|title=Neue Chefs|language=de|date=23 June 1997|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-8732190.html}}</ref> Thomas Middelhoff had previously already been a member of the management board of the multimedia division.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article653269/Bertelsmann-will-mit-Multimedia-Milliarden-umsetzen.html|website=[[Die Welt]]|title=Bertelsmann will mit Multimedia Milliarden umsetzen|date=27 February 1996|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> Mark Wössner joined the supervisory board of the company and also became chairman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Personalien: Wachwechsel bei Bertelsmann|newspaper=[[Börsen-Zeitung]]|date=5 July 1997|page=15}}</ref> In March 1998, Bertelsmann sold its video game publisher, BMG Interactive, to [[Take-Two Interactive]] in exchange for 16 percent of Take Two's stock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/bmg-interactive-acquired-by-taketwo-interactive--132878|title = BMG Interactive Acquired by Take-Two Interactive}}</ref>

This management change coincided with the takeover of [[Random House]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/archiv/bertelsmann-kauft-die-us-verlagsgruppe-random-house--groesste-einzelinvestition-,10810590,9412102.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160429082816/http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/archiv/bertelsmann-kauft-die-us-verlagsgruppe-random-house--groesste-einzelinvestition-,10810590,9412102.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 April 2016|first=Oliver|last=Herrgesell|title=Bertelsmann kauft die US-Verlagsgruppe Random House|date=24 March 1998|access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/1998/03/23/deals/bertelsmann/|website=[[CNN Money]]|date=23 March 1998|access-date=20 May 2016|title=Bertelsmann buys Random}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=So Why Did Newhouse Sell Random House to Bertelsmann Boys?|url=http://observer.com/1998/03/so-why-did-newhouse-sell-random-house-to-bertelsmann-boys/|first=Warren |last=St. John|date=30 March 1998|website=[[The New York Observer]]|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> With this, the group advanced to become the largest publishing group in the [[English-speaking world]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Bertelsmann-kauft-Random-House-11427.html|website=[[Heinz Heise|heise online]]|title=Bertelsmann kauft Random House|first=Florian |last=Rötzer|date=23 March 1998|access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> Random House was merged with ''Bantam Doubleday Dell'',<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=58}}</ref> and the global headquarters of all Bertelsmann publishing houses were relocated to New York City.<ref>{{cite book|language=de|first=Thomas |last=Lehning|title=Das Medienhaus: Geschichte und Gegenwart des Bertelsmann-Konzerns|publisher=Fink|location=Paderborn, Munich|year=2004|isbn=3-7705-4035-2|page=121}}</ref> In 1999, Bertelsmann acquired the publisher [[Springer Science+Business Media]], which, among other things, was the market leader for mathematics and physics.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann will sich Springer einverleiben|newspaper=Darmstädter Echo|date=17 November 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bertelsmann erwirbt Wissenschaftsverlag|newspaper=[[Sächsische Zeitung]]|date=17 February 1999|language=de|page=20}}</ref> In the year 2000, Bertelsmann dissolved its joint venture with AOL Europe.<ref>{{cite news|first=Christian |last=Rabanus|url=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Bertelsmann-steigt-bei-AOL-Europe-aus-21847.html|website=heise online|language=de|title=Bertelsmann steigt bei AOL Europe aus|date=17 March 2000|access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref> The sale of the shares in the joint venture to America Online yielded billions to Bertelsmann.<ref>{{cite news|website=[[The New York Times]]|title=Bertelsmann to Sell Its Stake In Joint Ventures to AOL|first=Andrew Ross |last=Sorkin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/18/business/bertelsmann-to-sell-its-stake-in-joint-ventures-to-aol.html|date=18 March 2000|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> In the same year, Bertelsmann and [[Pearson PLC|Pearson]] formed the [[RTL Group]] from their TV subsidiaries.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bertelsmann wird führender TV-Sender|language=de|newspaper=[[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]|date=8 April 2000|page=25}}</ref> Bertelsmann initially owned a minority in the company, and gradually built up its share.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=57}}</ref> Later, Bertelsmann secured the majority of the shares in RTL through a share swap with the [[Groupe Bruxelles Lambert]] (GBL), which as a result owned 25.1% of Bertelsmann.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/feb/05/rtl.citynews|website=[[The Guardian]]|title=Bertelsmann ups RTL stake|first=Dan |last=Milmo|date=5 February 2001|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bertelsmann Acquires Control of RTL Through Share Swap for GBL's Stake|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB981362070246075907|first=Cecilie |last=Rohwedder|date=6 February 2001|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref>

=== 2001–2007 ===
Under the leadership of Thomas Middelhoff,<ref>{{cite news|website=Financial Times|title=Thomas Middelhoff: the rise and fall of a dotcom evangelist|url=https://next.ft.com/content/2fbfc46c-70a7-11e4-8113-00144feabdc0|date=21 November 2014|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> Bertelsmann increased its involvement in the Internet,<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Ludger |last=Fertmann|title=Middelhoff schwört Führung aufs Internet ein|newspaper=Die Welt|date=29 June 1999|page=25}}</ref> whereby above all the investment in [[Napster]] received major media attention.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/tech/klage-fallen-gelassen-bertelsmann-kauft-sich-bei-napster-ein-a-100723.html|title=Klage fallen gelassen: Bertelsmann kauft sich bei Napster ein|website=Spiegel Online|language=de|date=31 October 2000|access-date=18 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.zeit.de/2000/45/Napster_ist_geschnappt|title=Napster ist geschnappt|first=Goetz |last=Hamann|date=2 November 2000|access-date=20 November 2015|language=de|website=Die Zeit}}</ref> The aim of the acquisition, among other things,<ref>{{cite news|website=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1021658087456714960|title=Bertelsmann to Buy Napster, Hopes to Boost Music Service|first=Nick |last=Wingfield|date=20 May 2002|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> was to stem the illegal spread of copyrighted material.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/napster-das-letzte-gericht-115800.html|language=de|website=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|title=Napster: Das letzte Gericht|date=2 March 2001|access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref> In 2001, the service nonetheless had to be shut down due to legal disputes.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=66}}</ref> Bertelsmann faced several claims for damages by the music industry.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Verfassungsgericht-schuetzt-Bertelsmann-vorerst-vor-Napster-Klage-82785.html|title=Verfassungsgericht schützt Bertelsmann vorerst vor Napster-Klage|first=Tim |last=Gerber|date=26 July 2003|access-date=16 November 2015|website=heise online}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/unternehmen/bertelsmann-streit-um-napster-belastet-netto-gewinn-1492598.html|title=Streit um Napster belastet Netto-Gewinn|website=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|date=14 November 2007|access-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> In order to finance additional growth of Bertelsmann, Thomas Middelhoff raised the idea of going public,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/thomas-middelhoff-bertelsmann-muss-an-die-boerse-a-207831.html|language=de|website=Spiegel Online|title=Bertelsmann muss an die Börse|date=2 August 2002|access-date=10 November 2015}}</ref> which led to fundamental disagreement with the Mohn family.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=68}}</ref> In 2002, [[Gunter Thielen]] became the new chairman and chief executive officer of Bertelsmann,<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann-Chef muss gehen|newspaper=Handelsblatt|date=29 July 2002|page=1}}</ref> and some members of the media viewed the change critically.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/bertelsmann-sieg-der-alten-garde-a-207285.html|title=Bertelsmann: Sieg der alten Garde|website=Spiegel Online|date=29 July 2002|access-date=17 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|magazine=Der Spiegel|language=de|title=Westfälischer Unfrieden|date=24 November 2003|first=Thomas |last=Schulz|author2=Thomas Tuma|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-29274109.html}}</ref>

A consolidation phase followed, in order to solve the problems with the core business.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/it/a-207336.html|website=Manager Magazine|title=Thielen zieht die Bremse|date=30 July 2002|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> For example, Bertelsmann sold unprofitable e-commerce firms like the online shop of [[Barnes & Noble]], among others.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann wird heute 175 Jahre alt (2000–2009)|newspaper=Westfalen-Blatt|date=1 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=72}}</ref> Gruner + Jahr sold the [[Berliner Zeitung]],<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/it/a-202693.html|title=Berliner Verlag wird verkauft|first=Alexandra |last=Knape|website=Manager Magazine|date=26 June 2002|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> and the scientific publisher, ''BertelsmannSpringer'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/13/business/bertelsmann-agrees-to-sell-its-science-and-trade-unit.html|title=Bertelsmann Agrees to Sell Its Science and Trade Unit|first=Andrew Ross |last=Sorkin|date=13 May 2003|access-date=21 May 2016|website=The New York Times}}</ref> was spun off.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bertelsmann verkauft Bertelsmann-Springer an Cinven und Candover|url=http://www.horizont.net/medien/nachrichten/-Bertelsmann-verkauft-Bertelsmann-Springer-an-Cinven-und-Candover-44221|language=de|date=13 May 2003|access-date=19 November 2015|website=Horizont}}</ref> In the 2003 financial year, Bertelsmann announced that it was investing its music business in a [[joint venture]] with [[Sony Corporation|Sony]].<ref>{{cite news|website=[[CNN International]]|title=Sony, BMG agree on music merger|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/11/06/sony.bmg.reut/|date=7 November 2003|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/11/07/sony_bertelsmann_agree_to_merge/|title=Sony, Bertelsmann agree to merge music labels|website=[[The Register]]|date=7 November 2003|access-date=21 May 2016|first=Tony |last=Smith}}</ref> Bertelsmann and Sony each owned half the shares.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Bertelsmann-und-Sony-planen-gemeinsames-Musikunternehmen-88139.html|title=Bertelsmann und Sony planen gemeinsames Musikunternehmen|website=heise online|first=Boi|last= Feddern|date=6 November 2003|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> With this transaction, the stakeholders sought to respond to declining sales in the [[music market]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Arndt|last= Ohler|author2=Birgit Jennen|language=de|title=Krise zwingt BMG in Ehe mit Sony|newspaper=Financial Times|date=7 November 2003|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Ralf |last=Niemczyk|title=Sony BMG: Schrumpfkur in den Aufschwung|newspaper=Tages-Anzeiger|date=30 November 2004|page=53}}</ref> In addition, Gunter Thielen initiated the buyback of the shares from Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, so that the Mohn family regained complete control of Bertelsmann from 2006.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/medien/aktien-rueckkauf-bertelsmann-verhindert-eigenen-boersengang/714944.html|title=Aktien-Rückkauf: Bertelsmann verhindert eigenen Börsengang|website=Der Tagesspiegel|date=25 May 2006|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> This measure was also financed with the sale of the music publishing business to [[Vivendi]]'s [[Universal Music Publishing Group]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Musikverlag BMG geht an Vivendi|newspaper=Wiener Zeitung|date=7 September 2006|page=26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann treibt Schuldenabbau voran|newspaper=Handelsblatt|date=28 December 2006|page=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|website=[[Deutsche Welle]]|url=http://www.dw.com/en/bertelsmann-sells-music-publishing-unit-to-vivendi/a-2165813|title=Bertelsmann Sells Music Publishing Unit to Vivendi|date=6 September 2006|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref> During the tenure of Gunter Thielen, the number of employees at Bertelsmann exceeded 100,000 for the first time.<ref>{{cite book|title=175 Years of Bertelsmann: The Legacy for Our Future|publisher=C. Bertelsmann|location=Munich|year=2010|isbn=978-3-570-10175-9|page=75}}</ref>

=== 2008–2015 ===
[[File:Thomas Rabe 2015-1.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Thomas Rabe (manager)|Thomas Rabe]], Chairman and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] since 2012]]

In 2008, [[Hartmut Ostrowski]] was appointed chairman and chief executive officer.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/neuer-bertelsmannchef-ostrowski-mehr-innovation-mehr-wachstum-keine-internetprojekte-a-523254.html|title=Neuer Bertelsmannchef Ostrowski: Mehr Innovation, mehr Wachstum, keine Internetprojekte|website=Spiegel Online|date=13 December 2007|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/bertelsmann-umsatz-soll-auf-30-milliarden-steigen-ostrowski-als-gehemmter-wachstumstreiber/2904754.html|language=de|website=Handelsblatt|title=Ostrowski als gehemmter Wachstumstreiber|first=Hans-Peter|last= Siebenhaar|date=13 December 2007|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> Bertelsmann sold its shares of the record label [[Sony BMG]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/aug/05/sony.bertlesmann|website=The Guardian|date=5 August 2008|access-date=21 May 2016|first=Richard |last=Wray|title=Sony buys Bertelsmann out of Sony BMG}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://next.ft.com/content/373727bc-37e2-11dd-aabb-0000779fd2ac|title=Bertelsmann seeks $1.5bn for Sony-BMG stake|first=Gerrit |last=Wiesmann|author2=Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson|date=12 June 2008|access-date=21 May 2016|website=Financial Times}}</ref> and since then the company has operated under the name of ''Sony Music Entertainment''.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann überlässt sein Musikgeschäft Sony|url=http://www.dw.com/de/bertelsmann-überlässt-sein-musikgeschäft-sony/a-3539837|website=Deutsche Welle|date=5 August 2008|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> In 2008, Bertelsmann acquired the rights to the [[Brockhaus Enzyklopädie|Brockhaus Encyclopedia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brockhaus-Enzyklopadie|website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|title=Brockhaus Enzyklopädie|date=3 September 2014|access-date=21 May 2016|first=Richard |last=Pallardy|author2=Mathias Schindler}}</ref> and from that time on, this reference work was published by the ''Wissen Media Verlag''.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/it/a-597009.html|website=Manager Magazin|title=Bertelsmann-Tochter kauft Brockhaus|date=17 December 2008|access-date=19 March 2017 }}</ref> At the end of 2011, Hartmut Ostrowski suddenly announced that he was leaving Bertelsmann for unspecified personal reasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/10/bertelsmann-hartmut-ostrowski-stand-down|title=Bertelsmann chief Hartmut Ostrowski to stand down|website=The Guardian|first=Mark|last= Sweney|date=10 October 2011|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/business/global/bertelsmann-ceo-to-step-down.html|website=The New York Times|title=Change of Command Set at European Media Group|first=Eric |last=Pfanner|date=10 October 2011|access-date=21 May 2015}}</ref> In 2012, Bertelsmann went from being an AG to its current incorporation as a [[partnership limited by shares]] ("[[Limited partnership#Germany|Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien]]" or "KGaA"), with the general partner being a European stock corporation ("[[Societas Europaea]]" or "SE"). Also, since 2012, [[Thomas Rabe (manager)|Thomas Rabe]] has been chairman and chief executive officer of Bertelsmann.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-10-10/bertelsmann-names-thomas-rabe-ceo-to-succeed-hartmut-ostrowski|first=Cornelius|last= Rahn|title=Bertelsmann Names Rabe CEO to Succeed Ostrowski in January|date=10 October 2011|access-date=21 May 2016|website=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/medien/wechsel-bei-bertelsmann-ostrowski-raeumt-seinen-posten-1.1158520|website=Süddeutsche Zeitung|title=Finanzvorstand Rabe löst Konzernchef Ostrowski ab|date=10 October 2011|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref>

In 2013, Bertelsmann floated part of its shares in the RTL Group on the stock exchange,<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann muss sich bei RTL bescheiden|newspaper=Börsen-Zeitung|date=30 April 2013|page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|website=Digital TV Europe|url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/51742/rtl-group-raises-e1-4-billion-through-secondary-ipo/|title=RTL Group raises €1.4 billion through secondary IPO|date=30 April 2013|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref> in order to finance additional growth from the proceeds of the sale.<ref>{{cite news|website=Hollywood Deadline|first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione|url=https://deadline.com/2013/03/bertelsmann-eyes-3-9b-in-acquisitions-over-next-three-years-but-no-ipo-461562/|title=Bertelsmann Eyes $3.9B In Acquisitions Over Next Three Years, But No IPO|date=26 March 2013|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/maerkte/aktien/verkauf-von-rtl-aktien-bertelsmann-nimmt-1-4-milliarden-euro-ein/8140096.html|title=Bertelsmann nimmt 1,4 Milliarden Euro ein|website=Handelsblatt|date=29 April 2013|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> In the year 2013, [[Penguin Random House]] became the world's largest publishing company.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/10152247/Penguin-and-Random-House-complete-merger.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/10152247/Penguin-and-Random-House-complete-merger.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|title=Penguin and Random House complete merger|date=1 July 2013|access-date=21 May 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.boersenblatt.net/628302.html|website=[[Börsenblatt]]|date=1 July 2013|access-date=24 November 2015|title=Die Fusion ist besiegelt}}</ref> [[Gruner + Jahr]] was taken over completely by Bertelsmann in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|date=6 October 2014|access-date=1 October 2015|url=http://www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2014-10/bertelsmann-gruner-jahr-uebernahme|website=[[Zeit Online]]|title=Medienkonzern: Bertelsmann übernimmt Gruner + Jahr komplett}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/a-995499.html|title=Bertelsmann schluckt Gruner + Jahr ganz|website=Manager Magazin|date=6 October 2014|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> Furthermore, under the leadership of Thomas Rabe, Bertelsmann increasingly invested in the education sector:<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/bertelsmann-bildung-als-dritte-geschaeftssaeule/11866892.html|title=Bildung als dritte Geschäftssäule|website=Handelsblatt|date=3 June 2015|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> In 2014, for example, ''Relias Learning'' was acquired.<ref>{{cite news|website=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bertelsmann-to-buy-relias-learning-1413899281|title=Bertelsmann To Buy Relias Learning|first=Ellen Emmerentze |last=Jervell|date=21 October 2014|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/relias-ma-bertelsmann-idUSL2N0SG0A320141021|title=Bertelsmann to buy Relias Learning from Vista Equity|first=Liana B. |last=Baker|author2=Jörn Poltz|date=21 October 2014|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref> The company belongs to the ''Bertelsmann Education Group'', established in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|website=[[Börsenblatt]]|url=http://www.boersenblatt.net/artikel-neue_unternehmenseinheit_gegruendet.1024973.html|title=Bertelsmann Education Group bündelt Bildungsgeschäfte|date=10 September 2015|access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> The Club Bertelsmann was wound up,<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/unternehmen/bertelsmann-schliesst-seinen-buchclub-12996222.html|website=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|title=Bis Ende 2015: Bertelsmann schließt seinen Buchclub|date=17 June 2014|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> and individual distribution partners are taking legal action against it.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Manfred |last=Schneider|title=Vergessen, was man nicht wissen muss – über das Ende der Buchklubs|newspaper=Neue Zürcher Zeitung|date=18 July 2014|page=19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/millionenschaden-klage-gegen-aus-fuer-bertelsmann-buchclub/10610250.html|website=Handelsblatt|title=Klage gegen Aus für Bertelsmann-Buchclub|date=26 August 2014|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref> In 2016, the printing business was bundled in the ''Bertelsmann Printing Group''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.printweek.com/print-week/news/1154641/bertelsmann-to-merge-print-operations|website=[[PrintWeek]]|first=Jo |last=Francis|date=5 November 2015|access-date=21 May 2016|title=Bertelsmann to merge print operations}}</ref>

=== 2016–present ===
Bertelsmann diversified its base in 2016 by introducing a structure consisting of eight divisions.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/neue-geschaefte-hoehere-ziele-bertelsmann-stellt-sich-breiter-auf/13355618.html|title=Neue Geschäfte, höhere Ziele: Bertelsmann stellt sich breiter auf|newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel Online|date=22 March 2016|access-date=28 March 2019|last1=Mortsiefer|first1=Henrik}}</ref> In 2017, Bertelsmann also undertook moves to further strengthen its core business, among other things increasing its share in [[Penguin Random House]] from 53 to 75 percent.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=http://www.derwesten.de/region/bertelsmann-koennte-anteil-an-penguin-random-house-ausweiten-id11567611.html|title=Bertelsmann könnte Anteil an Penguin/Random House ausweiten|website=derwesten.de|date=15 February 2016|access-date=29 March 2016|archive-date=29 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429083003/http://www.derwesten.de/region/bertelsmann-koennte-anteil-an-penguin-random-house-ausweiten-id11567611.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000061109326/bertelsmann-stockt-bei-penguin-random-house-auf|title=Bertelsmann stockt bei Penguin Random House auf|website=derstandard.at|date=11 July 2017|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> Through the partial withdrawal of [[Pearson plc|Pearson]], Bertelsmann secured a strategic three-quarters majority in the world's leading trade publishing group.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/pearson-trennt-sich-von-penguin-random-house-bertelsmann-will-riesigen-buchkonzern-komplett/19268010.html|title=Pearson trennt sich von Penguin Random House: Bertelsmann will riesigen Buchkonzern komplett|website=handelsblatt.com|date=18 January 2017|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=de|first=Catrin|last=Bialek|url=https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/it/bertelsmann-kauft-bei-random-zu-schluesselposition-fuer-guetersloher/20046074.html|title=Bertelsmann kauft bei Random zu: Schlüsselposition für Gütersloher|website=wiwo.de|date=11 July 2017|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Annette|last= Becker|title=Expansion teuer erkauft|newspaper=Börsen-Zeitung|date=22 July 2017|page=6}}</ref> 

Arvato was aligned more closely with the Group through changes in management, among other measures.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://www.waz.de/wirtschaft/arvato-chef-carro-verlaesst-bertelsmann-id211242883.html|title=Arvato-Chef Carro verlässt Bertelsmann|website=waz.de|date=14 July 2017|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626062410/https://www.waz.de/wirtschaft/arvato-chef-carro-verlaesst-bertelsmann-id211242883.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The heads of the division's individual "Solution Groups" have reported directly to members of the Bertelsmann Executive Board ever since.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|first=Hans-Peter|last=Siebenhaar|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/medienkommissar/der-medien-kommissar-guetersloher-raenkespiele/20128056.html|title=Gütersloher Ränkespiele|website=handelsblatt.com|date=31 July 2017|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> The company weighed its strategic options for the Customer Relationship Management business, and in 2018 established a CRM company in cooperation with the [[Moulay Hafid Elalamy|Saham Group]]:<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/crm-geschaeft-bertelsmann-erwaegt-verkauf-von-arvato-teilen/20912884.html|title=CRM-Geschäft: Bertelsmann erwägt Verkauf von Arvato-Teilen|website=handelsblatt.com|date=31 January 2018|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=http://www.absatzwirtschaft.de/neuer-crm-riese-mit-enormer-schlagkraft-bertelsmann-und-saham-verschmelzen-crm-geschaefte-zu-majorel-152530/|title=Neuer CRM-Riese mit enormer Schlagkraft: Bertelsmann und Saham verschmelzen CRM-Geschäfte zu Majorel|website=absatzwirtschaft.de|date=19 February 2019|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> The new company, [[Majorel]], enjoys a leading market position in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://de.reuters.com/article/deutschland-bertelsmann-idDEKCN1Q81JG|title=Bertelsmanns Call-Center-Geschäft investiert in globales Wachstum|website=reuters.com|date=19 February 2019|access-date=18 June 2019|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626062406/https://de.reuters.com/article/deutschland-bertelsmann-idDEKCN1Q81JG|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The growing education business was strengthened in 2018 through the acquisition of the U.S. provider [[OnCourse Learning]],<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://www.buchreport.de/news/bertelsmann-uebernimmt-oncourse-learning/|title=Bertelsmann übernimmt OnCourse Learning|website=buchreport.de|date=17 September 2018|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> one of the Group's biggest deals in the U.S. market.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Annette|last=Becker|title=Bertelsmann baut Bildungsgeschäft aus|newspaper=Börsen-Zeitung|date=18 September 2018|page=10}}</ref> OnCourse Learning offers continuing education and professional development by providing digital courses for healthcare and financial services clients.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/news/bildung/bildung---guetersloh-bertelsmann-kauft-us-bildungsanbieter-oncourse-learning-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-180917-99-988418|title=Bertelsmann kauft US-Bildungsanbieter OnCourse Learning|website=sueddeutsche.de|date=17 September 2018|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626062405/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/news/bildung/bildung---guetersloh-bertelsmann-kauft-us-bildungsanbieter-oncourse-learning-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-180917-99-988418|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bertelsmann, itself a strong advocate of lifelong learning, donated tens of thousands of [[Udacity]] scholarships in 2017 and 2019 to enable the advanced training of talented participants, in fields including Big Data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|first=Vera|last=Bauer|url=https://www.mobilegeeks.de/news/udacity-google-und-bertelsmann-finanzieren-75-000-stipendien/|title=Udacity: Google und Bertelsmann finanzieren 75.000 Stipendien|website=mobilegeeks.de|date=9 September 2017|access-date=18 June 2019|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626062406/https://www.mobilegeeks.de/news/udacity-google-und-bertelsmann-finanzieren-75-000-stipendien/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=de|first=Annette |last=Mattgey|url=https://www.wuv.de/karriere/bertelsmann_spendiert_50_000_udacity_stipendien|title=Bertelsmann spendiert 50.000 Udacity-Stipendien|website=wuv.de|date=26 March 2019|access-date=18 June 2019}}</ref>

Bertelsmann has promoted stronger cooperation among its corporate divisions and has also opened up towards collaboration with other media houses.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Annette|last=Becker|title=Bertelsmann setzt auf stärkere Kooperation der Segmente|newspaper=Börsen-Zeitung|date=10 June 2016|page=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Steffen |last=Klusmann|author-link1=Steffen Klusmann|author2=Thomas Schulz|title=Allein schaufeln wir nur unser eigenes Grab|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=16 March 2019|page=78}}</ref> One such example is the [[Ad Alliance]], launched in 2017, in which [[Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland]] and [[Gruner + Jahr]] bundled the marketing of their advertising platforms.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=RTL und Gruner + Jahr bündeln Vermarktung|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=1 July 2016|page=6}}</ref> The marketing arms of the [[Der Spiegel|Spiegel]] publishing house, [[Axel Springer SE|Axel Springer]], and [[Funke Mediengruppe]] have since joined the Ad Alliance as well;<ref>{{cite web|language=de|first=Gregory|last=Lipinski|url=https://meedia.de/2019/05/21/ausbau-der-adalliance-bertelsmann-will-in-kuerze-neuen-partner-fuer-das-werbebuendnis-aufnehmen/|title=Ausbau der AdAlliance: Bertelsmann holt Axel Springer und Funke an Bord|website=meedia.de|date=21 May 2019|access-date=18 June 2019}}</ref> its portfolio reaches over 99 percent of the German population.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|first=Jürgen|last=Scharrer|url=https://www.horizont.net/medien/nachrichten/digitalvermarktung-was-hinter-der-partnerschaft-von-ad-alliance-und-media-impact-steckt-174976|title=Digitalvermarktung: Was hinter der Partnerschaft von Ad Alliance und Media Impact steckt|website=horizont.net|date=21 May 2019|access-date=18 June 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, Bertelsmann also boosted cooperation in the German content market by establishing the [[Bertelsmann Content Alliance|Content Alliance]],<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Carsten|last= Germis|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/unternehmen/bertelsmann-buendelt-sein-geschaeft-in-content-alliance-16013586.html|title=Medienkonzern: Bertelsmann bündelt sein Geschäft in Kreativ-Allianz|website=faz.net|date=29 January 2019|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> headed up by [[Julia Jäkel]].<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://meedia.de/2019/01/29/content-alliance-bertelsmann-vernetzt-inhalte-produktion-im-konzern-unter-leitung-von-gj-chefin-julia-jaekel/|title=Content Alliance: Bertelsmann vernetzt Inhalte-Produktion im Konzern unter Leitung von G+J-Chefin Julia Jäkel|website=meedia.de|date=29 January 2019|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> The key players in this initiative involve the television and radio broadcasting networks of the Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, UFA TV production company, Random House publishing company, Gruner + Jahr, as well as the BMG music company.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/rtl-ufa-grunerjahr-random-house-bertelsmann-will-medientoechter-als-content-alliance-buendeln/23923456.html|title=Bertelsmann will Medientöchter als "Content Alliance" bündeln|website=handelsblatt.com|date=20 January 2019|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> The Bertelsmann Content Alliance develops joint formats and delivers a full range of products and services for creative professionals.<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=https://www.boersenblatt.net/2019-01-29-artikel-bertelsmann_startet_content_alliance_in_deutschland.1590122.html|title=Bertelsmann startet Content Alliance in Deutschland / Gemeinsame Formate im Fokus|website=boersenblatt.net|date=29 January 2019|access-date=18 June 2019}}</ref>

On 25 November 2020, it was reported that Bertelsmann will acquire the American publisher [[Simon & Schuster]] from [[ViacomCBS]] for more than $2 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lauer|first=Douglas Busvine, Klaus|date=2020-11-25|title=Bertelsmann buys Simon & Schuster for $2.2 billion in U.S. publishing play|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-viacomcbs-m-a-bertelsmann-idUSKBN2851E6|access-date=2020-11-25}}</ref> On 14 December 2020, Bertelsmann entered talks to sell the French magazine publisher Prisma Media, a division of Gruner + Jahr, to [[Vivendi]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-14|title=Vivendi enters exclusive talks for Prisma Media|language=en|work=[[MarketWatch]]|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/vivendi-enters-exclusive-talks-for-prisma-media-2020-12-14|access-date=2021-05-07}}</ref> The sale was completed on 31 May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/global/vivendi-prisma-media-acquisition-1234985027|title = Vivendi Finalizes Acquisition of Leading Publishing Group Prisma Media|date = 31 May 2021}}</ref>

On 29 January 2021, Bertelsmann began to explore selling its controlling stake in the French television channel [[M6 (TV channel)|M6]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Pollina|first1=Elvira|last2=Schuetze|first2=Arno|last3=Barzic|first3=Gwénaëlle|date=2021-01-29|title=EXCLUSIVE-Bertelsmann explores potential sale of French media group M6 – sources|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bertelsmann-m6-ma-idUSL1N2K40TK|access-date=2021-05-07}}</ref>