Bertelsmann Raises Guidance as RTL Streaming Turns Profitable for the First Time

Bertelsmann reported H1 2026 revenue of €9.3 billion and group profit up 45% to €292 million, raising its full-year forecast on the strength of the completed Sky Deutschland acquisition and the imminent BMG–Concord merger. RTL’s streaming business delivered its first-ever positive contribution — paid subscriptions up 20.7% to 8.7 million, streaming revenue up 27.2% to €299 million, full-year streaming adjusted EBITDA now guided to roughly €120 million — while CEO Thomas Rabe said the group could close “one or two larger transactions” within months.