Hamburg/Cologne/Berlin/Munich, 04/03/2020

‘Together Against Corona’: New Content Alliance Campaigns

The companies of the Bertelsmann Content Alliance in Germany are supporting the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus with even more campaigns. “Stern”, for example, organized a virtual Day of Solidarity and launched a telephone counseling service. Mediengruppe RTL supports the neighborhood assistance scheme “Wir gegen Corona” (Us Against Corona). In addition, new podcasts were released.

The companies of the Bertelsmann Content Alliance in Germany continue supporting the fight against the spread of the novel corona virus under the slogan “Together Against Corona”. Across all media genres, information about newest developments is provided and the focus is on service topics, measures and tips for improving the current situation. Stern.de organized a “Day of Solidarity”. The news portal dedicates its entire homepage to the people and initiatives that are currently generating a wave of solidarity throughout Germany. The news channel NTV presented “Lesung in den Zeiten des Corona” (Reading in the time of coronavirus) with Ferdinand von Schirach. The bestselling author read texts from his most recent book “Kaffee und Zigaretten”, published by Luchterhand Literaturverlag. The 40-minute show opened with a discussion between Ferdinand von Schirach and Tanit Koch, Managing Director of NTV and Editor-in-Chief at Mediengruppe RTL.

In addition to its “Day of Solidarity”, the G+J magazine “Stern” launched a telephone counseling service aiming to support the people who are battle with anxiety, depression and other issues due to the crisis. 30 psychotherapists, psychiatric doctors, counselors, coaches and crisis assistants from across Germany have joined forces for the project. Geo.de launched the series “Mein Leben im Lockdown” (My life during lockdown), in which “Geo” editors have phone calls with people from Alaska to Zimbabwe. In “Geolino-Herzensangelegenheit”, the children’s magazine’s editors call on people to tape hearts onto their windows to express solidarity with all those who are fighting against the coronavirus. The pictures of hearts that reach the editors not only come from Germany but also, for example, from Oslo, Norway and the state of Utah in the US.

On April 6, Peter Kloeppel and Nazan Eckes will present the two-hour RTL special “Wie Corona unser Leben verändert” (How corona is changing our lives). In talks with guests – at the studio and via live video feeds – viewers can ask their questions. Vox will air the documentary “Corona – Mein Leben im Ausnahmezustand” (Corona – My life under the state of emergency). The two-hour show will shed light on the dramatic spread of the disease and the everyday heroes whose lives completely changed from one day to the next due to the unparalleled crisis. “Die Höhle der Löwen – Der Talk” will follow. Judith Williams, Dagmar Wöhrl, Frank Thelen, Ralf Dümmel, Georg Kofler, Carsten Maschmeyer and Nils Glagau won’t be engaging in heated debates with one another but standing side by side to answer the burning questions of our time. Mediengruppe RTL is also supporting the neighborhood assistance project “Wir gegen Corona” (Us against corona). In the time of coronavirus, neighborhood assistance is making a comeback; hence, people seeking help and volunteers in their neighborhoods are easily and quickly brought together on the platform wirgegencorona.de. 

Four times a week, in “Die Stunde Null – Deutschlands Weg aus der Krise”, Horst von Buttlar, Editor-in-Chief of G+J’s “Capital” magazine, will take a look at how our economy and society is dealing with the financial crash caused by the coronavirus pandemic as well as the social distancing connected with it. The project is supported by “Stern” and stern.de, as well as NTV and RTL Radio. To help ease the time waiting for the restart of the football season, sports fans can listen to the new German podcast “Mein Spiel – Die größten Momente der Fußballreporter”.

Verlagsgruppe Random House is further expanding the program of its online events. At “#RandomHouseliest”, numerous authors from various genres have committed to livestream readings and online events. They read from their books, talk with journalists and politicians, and offer advice and assistance for dealing with the current challenges.