Tuesday, 9 October 2007





Bertelsmann AG is a transnational media corporation founded in 1835, based in Gütersloh, Germany. The company operates in 63 countries and employs over 100,000 workers (as of June 30, 2007).
It is now the second- or third-largest global media conglomerate in terms of revenue. It has over 76,000 employees. Its holdings encompasses book and magazine publishing, film and music recording, online services and other interests.


Bertelsmann consists of 6 corporate divisions:
RTL Group, a European broadcaster
Gruner + Jahr (a magazine publisher, the biggest in Europe)
BMG (Bertelsmann Music Group, which mainly consist of 50 percent in Sony BMG)
Random House, the world's largest trade book publisher

Direct Group, the world's largest book and music club group
arvato, an international media and communications service provider

In 2004, BMG and Sony entered a 50-50 joint venture. BMG Music Publishing, the world's third largest music publisher, stayed owned by Bertelsmann and became the world's largest independent music publisher. As of 2005, Sony BMG's share of the music market stands at 21.5%.


Bertelsmann made headlines on 2002, when it announced it would acquire the assets of Napster for $8 million.

It holds 75% of magazine publisher Gruner & Jahr. Bertelsmann has a controlling in RTL, the Luxembourg-based broadcaster (22 television stations and 18 radio stations across Europe).
Kirandeep & Hammad

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