Austerity measures at the “Bild” newspaper

CEO Mathias Döpfner said in an interview with the dpa when asked whether there would be layoffs at the two brands: “Personnel redeployment definitely. In one place it will be less, in another more. This also means separations of employees. “

He did not name an order of magnitude or when. Since September, the structures of the German media business have been reviewed against the background of the accelerated change in the industry. The circulation of printed newspapers has been declining for decades, and the digital business is also gaining in importance for the group outside of journalism.

Döpfner said: “We have to make sure that each business is and remains economically healthy on its own.” According to Springer, it employs 3,400 journalists worldwide, an increasing number of them in the USA. Around 18,000 employees currently work in the group, which also operates digital job exchanges and real estate business.

Program from Bild TV reduced

Just recently, the Berlin-based group significantly reduced the programming of the still young television channel Bild TV. Döpfner explained: “In retrospect, this highly ambitious news channel concept was not the right idea.” He is a big supporter of ambitious ideas. “But then you also need the necessary self-reflection to quickly correct the course if an idea develops in the wrong direction.” The TV channel started in August 2021, viewer ratings fell short of expectations.

While Springer is primarily focusing on growth in the US business, Döpfner also wants to hold on to Bild as the largest German tabloid brand. When asked whether it was conceivable to part with Bild, the 60-year-old replied: “No, I can’t imagine that. Bild is part of Axel Springer’s DNA.”

No more printed newspaper?

In the future, Springer wants to become a media company without printed newspapers. “My goal is to complete the digital transformation and turn Axel Springer into a purely digital company,” explained Döpfner, who has been CEO of the group since 2002. The 60-year-old did not give an exact time. “I don’t know when. But it’s absolutely clear that one day there will be no printed “Bild” newspaper, no printed “Welt” and no printed newspaper at all at Axel Springer. Except for maybe special editions.”

Regarding the confusion of personnel in the picture editor-in-chief and the future co-editor-in-chief Robert Schneider, who was previously “Focus” editor-in-chief, Döpfner said: “We are very much looking forward to him. We do not yet know when he will come exactly, because Burda is initially about his successor has to decide.”

Media had reported that Springer demanded a drug test from Schneider. Döpfner criticized: “The fact that we, like many other internationally active companies, also define certain recruitment requirements for certain management positions – this can then also include a drug test – that’s one thing. But the way in which this was publicly discussed was quite unprecedented Attack on the personality of the person concerned.” The drug test practice in the house is a “new, internationally more common development”.

In the interview, the Springer boss did not comment in detail on the scandal surrounding the dismissed former “Bild” editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt, which he rejected, alleging abuse of power: “We have learned a lot in terms of cultural development at Bild and changed. Otherwise, I could only repeat what we have said so many times before. And I don’t want to do that anymore. We’ve finished with it and that’s legitimate after two years.”