Reorganization of Holtzbrinck’s Shareholding Structure in ZEIT Marks Commitment to Continuity

Hamburg/Stuttgart, 3 June 2026

As part of their long-term ownership strategy, the two shareholders of the ZEIT Publishing Group have agreed on a reorganization of ZEIT’s shareholding structure. Effective 1 January 2027, Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien will transfer its 50 percent stake in the ZEIT Group to the Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck ("Holtzbrinck"), which will thereby assume sole ownership and consolidate entrepreneurial responsibility under one entity.

The potential consolidation of the ownership structure of the ZEIT Group had long been contractually envisaged between the shareholders. The transfer of shares now formally reflects, under corporate law, the close and trusting cooperation that has existed for years between ZEIT and its future sole shareholder.

ZEIT remains firmly committed to its strategic focus on quality and innovation. The change will have no impact on organizational structures. “Together, we have sucessfully developed ZEIT over the past decades. By now consolidating entrepreneurial and publishing responsibilities, we are creating the best possible conditions for the next phase of growth in this era of media transformation,” state the shareholders, Dieter von Holtzbrinck and Stefan von Holtzbrinck.

Thanks to its strong development (more than 500,000 subscribers), ZEIT is among Germany’s leading premium media brands. The clearer ownership structure will provide additional momentum to consistently pursue the innovation and investment strategy already underway across the companies and to further strengthen both technological and editorial development.

The regular and trusting dialogue between the subsidiaries of Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien, Handelsblatt Media Group and the Verlagsgruppe Tagesspiegel with the ZEIT Group, will continue in the future, as will their successful collaboration in various areas. The joint holdings of the Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien Group and ZEIT will also remain unaffected.

The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details. The transfer of shares remains subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.

Press contacts:
Holtzbrinck: Beatrice Richter-Beck (beatrice.richter-beck@holtzbrinck.com)
Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien: Rebecca Späth (rs@dvhmedien.com)
ZEIT Publishing Group: Silvie Rundel (silvie.rundel@zeit.de)