Editing Bertelsmann (section)

== Divisions ==
{{see also|List of assets owned by Bertelsmann}}

Bertelsmann is a [[decentralized organization]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Bertelsmann|title=Bertelsmann Essentials|url=http://www.bertelsmann.com/media/verantwortung/downloads/englisch/bertelsmann-essentials-eng.pdf|access-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123212418/http://www.bertelsmann.com/media/verantwortung/downloads/englisch/bertelsmann-essentials-eng.pdf|archive-date=23 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> This means that the divisions largely work independently. The holding handles central tasks, in the field of [[corporate finance]], for example.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|date=21 August 2012|title=Bertelsmann ist keine Aktiengesellschaft mehr|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/medienriese-bertelsmann-ist-keine-aktiengesellschaft-mehr/7029468.html|website=Handelsblatt|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> In 2016, Bertelsmann introduced a new structure of eight divisions:<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7271701/bertelsmann-highest-profit-decade-1-1-million-euro-ceo-rabe-china-music-investment|title=Bertelsmann Reports Highest Profit in a Decade, CEO Rabe Talks China Strategy and Music Investment Numbers|first=Wolfgang|last=Spahr|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=22 March 2016|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref> [[RTL Group]] (television and radio), [[Penguin Random House]] (book publishing), [[BMG Rights Management|BMG]] (music rights), [[Arvato|Arvato Group]] (services), [[Bertelsmann Education Group]] (education), [[Bertelsmann Printing Group|Bertelsmann Marketing Services]] (marketing) and [[Bertelsmann Investments]] (investments).<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Bertelsmann|title=The new Bertelsmann|url=http://www.bertelsmann.com/media/investor-relations/annual-reports/the-new-bertelsmann-2016-engl.pdf|access-date=29 March 2016|pages=16–17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418080139/http://www.bertelsmann.com/media/investor-relations/annual-reports/the-new-bertelsmann-2016-engl.pdf|archive-date=18 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== RTL Group ===
{{main|RTL Group}}

[[File:RTL Group 2021.svg|frameless|right|RTL Group logo|150px]]

RTL Group is a leading European entertainment provider, based in [[Luxembourg]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Gelingt der digitale Umbruch?|newspaper=Handelsblatt|date=3 September 2015|language=de|page=36}}</ref> The company runs a commercial private television and radio channels in several countries, including [[RTL Television|RTL]] and [[VOX (German TV channel)|VOX]] in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtlgroup.com/files/pdf1/facts_201509.pdf|access-date=1 October 2015|title=Companies (Selection)|publisher=RTL Group}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/medienkommissar/der-medien-kommissar-die-boersenwette-namens-rtl/12316550.html|website=Handelsblatt|title=Der Medien-Kommissar: Die Börsenwette namens RTL|first=Hans-Peter |last=Siebenhaar|date=14 September 2015|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> In 2015, with the ''RTL Digital Hub'', the company launched a dedicated unit for [[digital video|web videos]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2015/06/08/european-broadcaster-rtl-starts-formalizing-web-video-plans/|title=European Broadcaster RTL Starts Formalizing Web Video Plans|website=The Wall Street Journal|first=Mike|last=Shields|date=8 June 2015|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref> In addition, production companies, such as [[Fremantle (company)|Fremantle]], are part of the RTL Group.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/45217/rtltochter_fremantlemedia_uebernimmt_495_productions/|website=DWDL|title=Zukauf in den USA: RTL-Tochter FremantleMedia übernimmt 495 Productions|first=Thomas|last=Lückerath|date=26 March 2014|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> In January 1997, Bertelsmann merged the UFA film and television company with [[Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion]] (CLT). The merger of CLT-UFA with ''Pearson TV'' in the year 2000 marked the beginning of the RTL Group.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=James|last=Harding|author2=Lutz Meier|title=Heute entsteht Europas größter TV-Konzern|newspaper=Financial Times|date=7 April 2000|page=1}}</ref> The company is listed on the stock exchange and has been majority-owned by Bertelsmann since 2001.<ref>{{cite news|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-06-fi-21789-story.html|title=Bertelsmann Takes Control of RTL Group|date=6 February 2001|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4480770/Bertelsmann-share-swap-lifts-stake-in-RTL-to-67pc.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4480770/Bertelsmann-share-swap-lifts-stake-in-RTL-to-67pc.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|first=George|last= Trefgarne|title=Bertelsmann share swap lifts stake in RTL to 67pc|date=6 February 2001|access-date=21 May 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Following the sale of shares in 2013, the stake is 75.1%.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/Bertelsmann-verkauft-Teile-von-RTL-article10562451.html|title=Bertelsmann verkauft Teile von RTL|website=[[n-tv]]|date=29 April 2013|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> In 2024, sales of the RTL Group were [[Euro|€]]6,888 million.<ref name="Annual Report 2024" />

=== Penguin Random House ===
{{main|Penguin Random House}}

[[File:Penguin_Random_House.svg|frameless|right|Penguin Random House logo|150px]]

Penguin Random House is the world's largest book publishing company.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Rüdiger|last=Wischenbart|date=13 October 2015|newspaper=Die Welt|page=22|title=Das Goldene Zeitalter für Buchverlage beginnt}}</ref> The company was created in 2013 through the merger of the publishing businesses of Bertelsmann and [[Pearson plc|Pearson]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|date=1 July 2013|title=Fusion abgeschlossen: Bertelsmann und Pearson gründen Buchgiganten|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/fusion-abgeschlossen-bertelsmann-und-pearson-gruenden-buchgiganten/8429012.html|website=Handelsblatt|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> With the acquisition of [[Random House]] in 1998, Bertelsmann already became the largest book publisher in the [[English-speaking world]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|date=24 March 1998|newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung|page=23|title=Bertelsmann wird größter Verleger von Büchern in englischer Sprache}}</ref> 250 publishing houses on five continents are part of the company, including Random House and [[Penguin Books]], but also [[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]], [[Alfred A. Knopf|Knopf]] and [[Viking Press|Viking]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Wieland|last= Freund|date=29 October 2012|title=Jetzt machen es die Bücher wie die Autos|url=https://www.welt.de/kultur/medien/article110370390/Jetzt-machen-es-die-Buecher-wie-die-Autos.html|website=Die Welt|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> The German ''Verlagsgruppe Random House'' ([[Goldmann (publisher)|Goldmann]], Heyne and others), based in Munich, is not part of Penguin Random House,<ref>{{cite news|language=de|date=29 October 2012|title=Fusion mit britischem Konkurrenten: Bertelsmann schmiedet weltgrößten Buchverlag|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/buchverlag-bertelsmann-fusioniert-random-house-mit-penguin-a-863940.html|website=Spiegel Online|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> yet it does belong to the same division at Bertelsmann.<ref>{{cite news|title=Global Publishing Leaders 2015: Penguin Random House|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/67117-global-publishing-leaders-2015-penguin-random-house.html|website=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> Penguin Random House has its main headquarters in the [[Random House Tower|Penguin Random House Tower]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/offices/|title=Offices|publisher=Penguin Random House|access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref> Since 2020, Bertelsmann owns 100% of the company.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/end-of-an-era-for-book-publisher-penguin-11889930|title=End of an era for book publisher Penguin|date=18 December 2019|access-date=19 December 2019}}</ref> In 2024, the company achieved sales of €4,917 million.<ref name="Annual Report 2024" />

=== BMG ===
{{main|BMG Rights Management}}

[[File:BMG Rights Management logo.svg|right|frameless|150x150px|BMG logo]]

BMG is a [[music publisher (popular music)|music publishing company]] based in [[Berlin]]. The BMG catalog encompasses rights to works by artists such as [[Céline Dion]], [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Ronan Keating]] and [[Britney Spears]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann geht auf Einkaufstour|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=24 July 2009}}</ref> In 2008, the company was created after the group divested from the music market.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann gibt das Musikgeschäft auf|newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel|date=6 August 2008|page=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Wachsen mit der Musik|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=31 August 2009}}</ref> Following the sale of [[Sony BMG]], Bertelsmann had retained the rights to 200, mainly European, artists.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article114029884/Bertelsmann-kauft-Musikrechteverlag-BMG-ganz.html|website=Die Welt|title=Bertelsmann kauft Musikrechteverlag BMG ganz|date=1 March 2013|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> In 2009, [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts|KKR]] came on board with BMG, retaining a 51% majority in the company, and Bertelsmann held 49%.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://next.ft.com/content/e02f9700-6b44-11de-861d-00144feabdc0|title=Bertelsmann forms music duo with KKR|first=Martin|last=Arnold|author2=Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson|date=7 July 2009|access-date=22 May 2016|website=Financial Times}}</ref> Since 2013, BMG has once again become a fully owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2013/music/global/bertelsmann-takes-full-ownership-of-bmg-1200001514/|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=Bertelsmann Takes Full Ownership of BMG|first=Christopher|last=Morris|date=1 March 2013|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bertelsmann-acquire-full-bmg-ownership-425514|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|title=Bertelsmann to Acquire Full Control of BMG|first=Georg|last=Szalai|author2=Scott Roxborough|date=1 March 2013|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref> In 2016, BMG became a division of Bertelsmann.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Da steckt Geld drin|first=Stefan|last=Schelp|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=23 March 2016|page=27}}</ref> In 2024, BMG had revenues of €963 million.<ref name="Annual Report 2024" />

=== Arvato Group ===
{{main|Arvato}}

[[File:Arvato_Logo.svg|frameless|right|Arvato logo|150px]]

Arvato is an international service provider. In its current form, the company originated in the year 1999.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann Industrie heißt künftig Arvato|newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=9 June 1999|page=28}}</ref> At that time, the print and industry sectors at Bertelsmann were restructured, whereby services received a higher priority than the print and machinery sector.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann Drucksparte setzt verstärkt auf Dienstleistungen|newspaper=Die Welt|date=9 June 1999|page=24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Arvato auf Wachstumskurs|newspaper=Handelsblatt|date=9 June 1999|page=19}}</ref> Since the 1950s, Bertelsmann has been an active service provider,<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Michael|last=Delker|title=Der größte Arbeitgeber in Ostwestfalen-Lippe|newspaper=Westfalen-Blatt|date=1 July 2010}}</ref> delivering books for other publishing companies, for example.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arvato.com/en/about/history.html|title=About Arvato: History|publisher=Arvato|access-date=1 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215060322/http://www.arvato.com/en/about/history.html|archive-date=15 December 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> To this day, ''Vereinigte Verlagsauslieferung'' (VVA) has belonged to Arvato.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Arvatos neuer Buch-Rekord|newspaper=Westfalen-Blatt|date=22 December 2011}}</ref> Arvato also offers services in the areas of [[Customer Relationship Management]] (CRM), [[Supply Chain Management]] (SCM) and finance, as well as [[information technology]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Zuwachs in verschiedenen Sparten|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=23 March 2016|page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Arvato expandiert nach Bielefeld|language=de|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=14 November 2013}}</ref> The main headquarters of Arvato is Gütersloh, and additional locations exist in 22 countries.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Stefan|last=Schelp|title=Neuer Chef verordnet Arvato mehr Wachstum|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=24 October 2015|page=10}}</ref> In 2024, sales of the Arvato Group reached a volume of €3,871 million.<ref name="Annual Report 2024" />

=== Bertelsmann Marketing Services ===
{{main|Bertelsmann Printing Group}}

[[File:Bertelsmann Marketing Services 4c rgb.png|frameless|right|Bertelsmann Marketing Services logo|150px]]

In January 2016, Bertelsmann bundled its printing activities in [[Digital printing|digital]], [[Offset printing|offset]] and [[Rotogravure|gravure]] in the ''Bertelsmann Printing Group''.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann bündelt Druckgeschäft|newspaper=[[Südwest Presse]]|date=6 November 2015|page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Prolific North|url=http://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/2015/11/bertelsmann-merges-entire-print-operation/|title=Bertelsmann merges entire print operation|date=6 November 2015|access-date=22 May 2016|first=Stephen|last=Chapman}}</ref> It is Europe's largest player in the industry.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Eike|last=Horstmann|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|title=Europas größte Druckereigruppe|date=6 November 2015|page=11}}</ref> The corporate group is located in Gütersloh.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Druck-Gigant entsteht in Gütersloh|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=6 November 2015|page=9}}</ref> Bertelsmann Printing Group includes not only GGP Media, Mohn Media, Prinovis, Sonopress, Vogel Druck and several other companies, but also ''Be Printers''.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://derstandard.at/2000025136327/Bertelsmann-baut-neue-Print-Einheit-auf|title=Bertelsmann baut neue Print-Einheit auf|website=Der Standard|date=5 November 2015|access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> Be Printers is in turn a spin-off of Arvato, created in 2012, in order to consolidate the group's printing business.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|title=Bertelsmann tauft Drucksparte Be Printers|newspaper=Neue Westfälische|date=1 November 2012}}</ref> The business has been under pressure for years due to declining print editions.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.print.de/News/Markt-Management/Umsatz-bei-Be-Printers-stagniert-1079|publisher=Deutscher Drucker|first=Gerd|last=Bergmann|title=Umsatz bei Be Printers stagniert|date=27 March 2013|access-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427051258/http://www.print.de/News/Markt-Management/Umsatz-bei-Be-Printers-stagniert-1079|archive-date=27 April 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 2023, the Bertelsmann Printing Group rebranded as Bertelsmann Marketing Services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://meedia.de/news/beitrag/3690-konzernchef-thomas-rabe-richtet-druck-und-dienstleistungssparte-neu-aus.html|language=de|title=Konzernchef Thomas Rabe richtet Druck- und Dienstleistungssparte neu aus|first1=Gegory|last1=Lipinski|website=Meedia|date=2023-04-27|access-date=2025-04-15}}</ref> In 2024, the Bertelsmann Printing Group achieved sales of €1,088 million.<ref name="Annual Report 2024" />

=== Bertelsmann Education Group ===
[[File:Bertelsmann_Education_Group_Logo_2016.png|frameless|right|Bertelsmann Education Group logo|150px]]

The Bertelsmann Education Group is dedicated to the education sector.<ref>{{cite news|website=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bertelsmann-to-launch-education-activities-unit-1441861958|title=Bertelsmann to Launch Education Activities Unit|first=Ellen Emmerentze |last=Jervell|date=10 September 2015|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref> It was established in 2015 and has its headquarters in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.focus.de/regional/nordrhein-westfalen/medien-bertelsmann-buendelt-bildungsgeschaeft-in-eigener-sparte_id_4938855.html|title=Bertelsmann bündelt Bildungsgeschäft in eigener Sparte|website=[[Focus (German magazine)|Focus Online]]|date=10 September 2015|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> It includes, for example, the [[Alliant International University]] and Relias Learning.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/bertelsmann-bildungsgeschaeft-jetzt-unter-einem-dach/12303914.html|website=Handelsblatt|title=Bertelsmann: Bildungsgeschäft jetzt unter einem Dach|date=10 September 2015|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> The [https://www.relias.com/press-room/bertelsmann-to-acquire-relias-learning acquisition of Relias Learning] in 2014 formed the cornerstone for the Bertelsmann Education Group and was the largest acquisition by Bertelsmann since the purchase of Random House.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-21/bertelsmann-pushes-into-education-with-relias-purchase|website=Bloomberg|title=Bertelsmann Pushes Into Education With Relias Purchase|first=Kristen|last= Schweizer|date=21 October 2014|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cary's Relias Learning acquired by Bertelsmann for $540M|first=Jason|last=deBruyn|date=23 October 2014|website=[[Triangle Business Journal]]}}</ref> In 2016, Relias acquired AHC Media, which was renamed Relias Media.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.relias.com/press-room/relias-learning-enters-the-acute-care-training-market/ | title=Relias Learning Enters the Acute Care Training Market | date=11 October 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reliasmedia.com/about-us | title=About Relias Media CME/CE }}</ref> In 2024, the Bertelsmann Education Group generated sales of €924 million.<ref name="Annual Report 2024" />

=== Bertelsmann Investments ===
[[File:Bertelsmann_Investments_Logo_2016.png|frameless|right|Bertelsmann Investments logo|150px]]

The Bertelsmann Investments division bundles Bertelsmann's startup investments. ''Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments'' is based in Gütersloh and since 2014 has concentrated mainly on the United States.<ref>{{cite web|website=Gründerszene|language=de|url=http://www.gruenderszene.de/datenbank/investoren/bertelsmann-digital-media-investments|title=Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments|access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/bdmi-berlin-buero-schliessung-early-stage|website=Gründerszene|first=Niklas |last=Wirminghaus|date=21 November 2014|access-date=20 March 2016|title=Bertelsmann-Fonds BDMI schließt Berliner Büro}}</ref> With ''Bertelsmann Asia Investments'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.avcj.com/avcj/news/61422/bertelsmann-asia-launches-angel-fund-in-china|title=Bertelsmann Asia launches angel fund in China|first=Winnie|last= Liu|date=13 October 2014|access-date=22 May 2016|website=Asian Venture Capital Journal}}</ref> ''Bertelsmann Brazil Investments'' and ''Bertelsmann India Investments'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/roposo-bags-5-million-from-bertelsmann-india-investments/articleshow/51993728.cms|website=[[The Economic Times]]|title=Roposo bags $5 million from Bertelsmann India Investments|first=Biswarup|last=Gooptu|date=26 April 2016|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref> three additional funds exist that are active in the growth regions defined by the holding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bertelsmann.com/divisions/bertelsmann-investments/|publisher=Bertelsmann|title=Bertelsmann Investments|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref> Bertelsmann Investments holds equity positions in a total of over 100 [[startup company|startup companies]], almost all from the digital economy.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|first=Antje|last=Kullrich|title=Gewinnsprung bei Bertelsmann|newspaper=Börsen-Zeitung|date=23 March 2016|page=8}}</ref> In 2024, sales reached €563 million.<ref name="Annual Report 2024" />