Axel springer launches BILD on television

BILD plans to start broadcasting its own TV channel before the upcoming Federal election, this year’s biggest news event in Germany. The core of the channel’s schedule will be a live program of up to six hours daily, starting in the morning. The new studios in Axel Springer’s new building will also be used for this purpose. The live broadcasting slot with news and current affairs is also scheduled to be transmitted simultaneously on N24 Doku, WELT’s timeshift channel.

Documentaries, in-depth reports and other formats will be added to the channel’s programming schedule. The focus is on politics, sports, celebrities, crime, and service topics, among others. The running program can be interrupted at any time for live coverage of breaking news stories and other current topics.

The new TV channel is intended to be receivable under the BILD brand free-to-air via cable, satellite, IPTV and OTT. Advertising sales are handled by the TV marketer VISOON. The launch of the new channel remains subject to the granting of a broadcasting license by the Berlin-Brandenburg regional media authorities (MABB).

BILD will be produced out of a new TV unit in WeltN24 GmbH, in which Axel Springer is bundling television activities for WELT, BILD and N24 Doku in future. Among other things, this unit provides technical broadcasting operations and broadcast planning, distribution, and program purchasing for licensed formats. The content for the live program comes from the BILD editorial department. Responsible Managing Directors of WeltN24 GmbH are Frank Hoffmann as chairman of the TV unit as well as Claus Strunz, who in this position will also be responsible for the program of the BILD channel. Claus Strunz is also Managing Director TV/Video at Axel Springer and a member of BILD’s chief editorial team.

Julian Reichelt, who as editor-in-chief at BILD is to be overall responsible of content for BILD Live, said: “We want to make television that doesn’t lecture people, but shows what actually is. A coverage that gives people a voice and speaks from their hearts. 500 BILD reporters across the country will take our viewers with them, show and tell them live what is happening, but also listen to them and let them have their say wherever they are affected.”

Claus Strunz added: “What we aspire to is, whenever something happens that moves our viewers, BILD will be there live. I’m looking forward to putting this goal into practice together with a great team.”

Frank Hoffmann said: “With WELT, BILD and N24 Doku Axel Springer is creating a broadcasting family with a great deal of know-how in live reporting, a format that is becoming increasingly important. We will be using our new studios in the new Axel Springer building for BILD and WELT, giving us access to broadcasting technology that leaves nothing to be desired.” Axel Springer