Bertelsmann welcomes the European Commission’s approval of RTL Group’s acquisition of Sky Deutschland. The transaction is expected to close on June 1, 2026.
The combination of RTL Deutschland and Sky Deutschland strengthens Bertelsmann’s position as one of Europe’s leading media companies while further developing RTL Deutschland into a national media champion for Germany, Austria, and German-speaking Switzerland. Together, RTL+ and the streaming services of Sky and WOW will have more than 12 million paying subscribers.
Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said: “The European Commission’s approval is a milestone for Bertelsmann and an important signal for the European media industry. The combination of RTL Deutschland and Sky Deutschland will create a powerful media group capable of competing with international streaming platforms.”
Stephan Schmitter, CEO of RTL Deutschland, will lead the combined company once the transaction is completed. RTL Deutschland will remain headquartered in Cologne, and Sky Deutschland in Munich.
RTL Group, a Bertelsmann subsidiary, announced a binding agreement to acquire Sky Deutschland (DACH) on June 27, 2025. Following today’s decision by the European Commission, all key regulatory requirements have now been met to complete the transaction on June 1, 2026.
About Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company with about 75,000 employees that operates in some 50 countries around the world. It includes the entertainment group RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the music company BMG, the service provider Arvato Group, Bertelsmann Marketing Services, the Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds. The company generated revenues of €19 billion in the 2025 financial year. Bertelsmann stands for creativity and entrepreneurship. This combination enables first-class media offerings and innovative service solutions that inspire customers around the world.
