The Great Shift
1995-2024
e-Magazine: 1995
Three years after launching "TV Movie", one of the most successful magazines on the German market, the magazine goes online. This move lays the foundation for further digital activities.
New operations: 1997
The modern gravure printing plant in Ciechanów, Poland, goes into operation.
Online Search: 1998
Larry Page and Sergey Brin launch Google Search, which will become the most used web-based search engine in the world.
Fortnight Fortune: 1999
Bauer Media launches tv14, a breath of fresh air in the fortnightly programme guide market.
Podcast: 2003
The world's first podcast "Radio Open Source" was released by radio host Christopher Lydon. He used a newly developed audio RSS feed to offer audio content of notable interviews on his blog. Fun fact: podcasts got their names from the iPod MP3 player that played them.
Social calls: 2004
Harvard sophomore Mark Zuckerberg launches The Facebook, a social media website built to connect Harvard students. One year later, the first video, called "Me at the zoo", is uploaded to YouTube, and soon after, Twitter launches. All platforms go global, changing the way we communicate.
Mega deal: 2008
By acquiring the consumer magazines and radio stations from EMAP, the company becomes the largest provider of consumer magazines and the second largest radio provider in the UK. From now on, the Bauer publishing group is operating under the umbrella brand Bauer Media Group.
Portal Power: 2009
The company launches the digital women's portal WUNDERWEIB, backed by the combined expertise of the media company's 30 women-orientated consumer magazines, such as Maxi, InTouch, Wohnidee, tina, bella and Laura.
5th generation: 2010
Heinz Bauer hands over the reins to his 33-year old daughter Yvonne, making her the youngest female publisher in Germany.
Young talents: 2011
Bauer Media opens its in-house journalism school, investing in the training and development of its young talent and thus in a long-term successful future. Over 18 months, students receive an education in print, digital, social, data and audio.
Digital Brands: 2011
Bauer Media brands KISS FM and Magic launch their digital platforms, embracing the shift to online and app-based radio.
Onwards: 2010s
Bauer Media expands into various publishing and audio markets including Australia, Poland, Slovakia, and Scandinavia, creating a portfolio that includes 600 magazines and 100 radio stations. It also invests into an OCP business and explores a digital start-up business (SME).
Regional Reach: 2020
Bauer Media acquires the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung Media Group based in Halle, Germany. Together with the Volksstimme, which is also owned by the company, the Bauer Media Group is the largest provider of local and regional journalism in Central Germany.
AI meets world: 2022
ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, becomes available to the public. It can generate human-like conversational responses based on prompts and follow-up questions. Within one year, ChatGPT becomes the fastest-growing consumer software application in history.
Einriching: 2023
BMG launches a new corporate identity. It proudly represents the next generation of Bauer Media: a creative powerhouse that celebrates diversity, inspires others and enriches everyday life on a whole new level.
Let's be digital: 2023
Digital audio advertising platform audioXi launches in Portugal, Poland, and Slovakia. The Nordics follow in 2024.
APPetite: 2024
Bauer Media launches Rayo, a competitive, easy-to-use and find app for all its brands that meets the needs of our listeners in a digital world.
Next Level: 2024
Guided by a recalibrated Group strategy, BMG invests in the digital future of its core businesses, Publishing and Audio. In support, Business Presidents Jan Wachtel and Vivian Mohr join Yvonne Bauer as Chair of the Board and Gerald Mai as CLO & Operations on the Executive Board.
The Rise of the Digital Age
A time of new innovations, new horizons, and new opportunities, as Bauer Media enters the digital age.
The Great Shift
1995-2024