CH Media officially launches as of October 1, 2018
CH Media, the joint venture between AZ Medien and NZZ Media Group, will commence operations on October 1, 2018. The Competition Commission had approved the merger without conditions on August 16, 2018.
Eight months after the announcement of the joint venture, the start date of CH Media has been set: The joint venture between AZ Medien and the NZZ Media Group will commence operations on October 1, 2018.
The new company will be able to build on its strong regional roots. The aim is to ensure the independence and profitable further development of the regional media brands in a challenging market environment. In the integration phase that now follows, the parts of the company contributed by the partners will be brought together, the future direction will be worked out, and the internal structures of the new company will be defined.
"We are delighted that things can finally get underway on October 1. Together with all employees of the new company, we will celebrate the operational start with a welcome aperitif," says Axel Wüstmann, currently CEO of AZ Medien and designated CEO of CH Media.
AZ Medien and NZZ Media Group had announced the formation of the joint venture on December 7, 2017. AZ Medien is integrating all its units into the new company with the exception of Watson, while NZZ Media Group is integrating its entire regional media business.
CH Media reaches around two million people in German-speaking Switzerland with its regional newspapers and online portals, radio and TV stations, and magazines. With sales of around CHF 480 million and over 2,000 employees, CH Media is one of the country's biggest media companies.
