B. Boll Verlag des Solingen Tageblatt

What B. Boll Verlag des Solingen Tageblatt does

B. Boll Verlag des Solingen Tageblattes GmbH & Co. KG, operating as B. Boll Mediengruppe, is a fifth-generation, family-owned regional media company headquartered in Solingen, Germany. Tracing its publishing roots to 1809 and under continuous Boll family ownership since 1867, the group today publishes the two market-leading paid daily newspapers in its footprint — the Solinger Tageblatt (91% market share in Solingen, per IVW-VA 2024) and the Remscheider General-Anzeiger (86% market share in Remscheid) — along with six weekly advertising papers (Das Solinger, Bergischer Anzeiger, Ohligs Aktuell, Wald Aktuell, Haaner Treff, Bergischer Volksbote, totaling 225,000 weekly copies), three niche magazines (Engelbert, PULS Gesundheitsmagazin, Wat Nu? Ausbildungsmagazin), the Radio RSG regional station (38% audience share, ~100,346 daily listeners), and digital properties reaching 1.4 million monthly website visits and over 10,000 paid digital subscribers.

The product surface is multi-platform: print and E-Paper editions delivered via iOS/Android apps and websites (solinger-tageblatt.de, rga.de), with editorial production reorganized to digital-first under a November 2023 cooperation with RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) supplying technical infrastructure and supra-regional content. Supplementary revenue and engagement products include the Bergisch Bestes e-commerce marketplace (regional products), Bergische Leserreisen reader-travel platform, Citycubes outdoor advertising (via Rheinkultur partnership), and educational newspaper programs (Mini-ZiSch, ZiSch) partnering with Solingen schools.

Revenue is generated primarily through advertising placements across all owned media channels — print dailies, Anzeigenblätter, magazines, Radio RSG, websites, and digital platforms — sold via a dedicated Mediaberater sales force with Key Account Management, Telesales, and regional sales units, supplemented by recurring print and digital newspaper subscriptions and transaction-based e-commerce revenue. The company employs over 130 people across offices in Solingen, Remscheid, Wermelskirchen, Haan, and Burscheid, and is currently modernizing its Solingen headquarters (Mummstraße 9) beginning in 2025.

Name

B. Boll Verlag des Solingen Tageblatt

Legal name

B. Boll Verlag des Solinger Tageblattes GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://b.boll-mediengruppe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1867

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

B. Boll Mediengruppe is a fifth-generation, family-owned regional media company in Solingen, Germany, publishing the market-leading Solinger Tageblatt (91%) and Remscheider General-Anzeiger (86%) along with weekly ad papers, Radio RSG, magazines, and digital/e-commerce platforms serving Bergisches Land readers and local advertisers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Newspaper Publishing

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Advertising Agencies (54181)

SIC

Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711), Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Local & Regional Newspapers (Print & Digital) (MPAJADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Talk/News/Sports Radio Networks & Syndication (MPAIAEAG), Radio Advertising Sales & Representation (Local/National, Network Ad Sales) (MPAIAEAI)

Keywords

• Regional newspaper publishing
• Local media advertising
• Daily newspaper subscriptions
• Local radio broadcasting
• Digital news platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Solingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: The primary revenue stream comes from advertising placements across all media channels including print newspapers, advertising newspapers (Anzeigenblätter), magazines, websites, radio (Radio RSG), and digital advertising (Bergisch Land Ads). This includes display ads, classifieds, advertorials, and integrated marketing solutions delivered by media consultants.
2. Newspaper Subscriptions: Revenue from paid newspaper subscriptions for Solinger Tageblatt and Remscheider General-Anzeiger in print and E-Paper formats. Combined reach of 109,000 daily readers and over 10,000 digital subscribers (as of 2025).
3. E-commerce - Bergisch Bestes: Online shop selling regional products from the Bergisches Land including Kottenbutter, Zöppken, Dröppelmina, regional books, and merchandise with regional motifs. Delivery fee of 4.90 EUR, free shipping over 50 EUR.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

B. Boll Verlag des Solingen Tageblatt publishes and distributes local daily newspapers (Solinger Tageblatt and Remscheider General-Anzeiger), weekly advertising papers, glossy magazines, and operates the regional radio station Radio RSG. Beyond editorial content, the company sells multi-channel advertising solutions (print, digital, radio, outdoor) to local and regional businesses and runs complementary services including an E-Paper digital subscription platform, mobile apps, a regional online shop (Bergisch Bestes), and reader travel packages. The company functions as a one-stop provider of local media and advertising services across the Bergisches Land region of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Product overview

B. Boll Mediengruppe is a diversified regional media company operating a multi-platform portfolio of print, digital, audio, and e-commerce products centered in the Bergisches Land region. The core products are two market-leading daily newspapers — the Solinger Tageblatt (91% market share in Solingen) and the Remscheider General-Anzeiger (86% market share in Remscheid) — supported by six weekly advertising papers (Anzeigenblätter) including Das Solinger, Bergischer Anzeiger, Ohligs Aktuell, Wald Aktuell, Haaner Treff, and Bergischer Volksbote, with a combined weekly circulation of 225,000 copies. The portfolio is extended by three glossy magazines (ENGELBERT, PULS Gesundheitsmagazin, Wat Nu? Ausbildungsmagazin), a regional radio station (Radio RSG), digital news platforms (Solinger-Tageblatt.de, RGA.de) reaching 1.4 million visits monthly, an e-Paper reading app, and two supplementary services — the Bergisch Bestes online shop and Bergische Leserreisen travel platform. The company also runs educational newspaper programs (Mini-ZiSch and ZiSch) and operates Citycube outdoor advertising in partnership with Rheinkultur.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Engelbert: High-gloss lifestyle magazine published quarterly, covering shopping, lifestyle and enjoyment in the Bergisches Land region
• PULS
• Wat Nu?
• Bergisch Bestes
• Bergische Leserreisen

Products and services

• Solinger Tageblatt Leading daily newspaper in Solingen with a 91% market share. Covers local news, politics, culture, and sports for the Solingen area, available in print, E-Paper, and digital formats.
• Remscheider General-Anzeiger (RGA) Market-leading daily newspaper in Remscheid with 86% market share, also covering Wermelskirchen/Burscheid and Radevormwald/Hückeswagen. Available in print, E-Paper, and digital formats.
• Das Solinger Weekly advertising paper (Anzeigenblatt) for Solingen with local news, service topics, and event tips, distributed free to households in a weekly cycle.
• Bergischer Anzeiger Weekly advertising paper (Anzeigenblatt) covering Remscheid, Radevormwald, and Hückeswagen, distributed free to households with a weekly cycle.
• Haaner Treff Free weekly newspaper covering Haan and parts of Erkrath, with a print run of 18,300 copies.
• Bergischer Volksbote Weekly newspaper for Burscheid, merged with the Wermelskirchen edition of RGA.
• ENGELBERT Magazin High-gloss lifestyle magazine for the Bergisches Land region, published quarterly since 2011, covering lifestyle, shopping, and culinary topics.
• PULS Gesundheitsmagazin Health magazine for the Bergisches Land, published twice a year as an insert in the subscription editions of Solinger Tageblatt and RGA, covering health, fitness, and wellness topics.
• Wat Nu? Ausbildungsmagazin Annual apprenticeship magazine created independently by trainees and dual students of the publishing house, targeting young people exploring career options.
• Radio RSG Regional radio station for Remscheid and Solingen, operated as a joint venture. The market leader in its region with a 38% share of daily radio listeners, reaching approximately 100,346 listeners daily.
• Solinger-Tageblatt.de & RGA.de Digital Platforms News websites for Solingen and Remscheid, reaching 1.4 million visits per month combined, with news available in near-real-time across text, photos, and video formats.
• E-Paper App Digital newspaper reading application available for iOS and Android, offering access to digital editions of Solinger Tageblatt and RGA, including the Sunday-only digital edition.
• Bergisch Bestes Online Shop Online shop operated by B. Boll Mediengruppe featuring regional products from Bergisches Land, including food items, books, apparel, and gift items from local manufacturers and merchants. Delivery fee of 4.90 EUR, free shipping over 50 EUR.
• Bergische Leserreisen Travel package booking platform offering regional trips and vacations, with discounts available for ST and RGA cardholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of newspaper buyers in Solingen purchase Solinger Tageblatt
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2023Strategic cooperation since November 2023 where RND provides technical infrastructure and over-regional content for www.solinger-tageblatt.de and www.rga.de. The collaboration enables the newsrooms to focus on digital-first content planning, with E-Paper and printed newspapers derived from the best digital content. Includes station opportunities in Hannover (site management, social, SEO) and Berlin over-regional editorial office.
• Rheinkultur Medien und Verlags GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Cooperation for marketing Citycubes (outdoor advertising on utility boxes) in the entire distribution area from Haan through Solingen and Remscheid to Burscheid. Rheinkultur operates approximately 400,000 utility boxes nationwide, while B. Boll media consultants serve as local contact for advertisers. Citycubes provide outdoor advertising opportunities in C-locations at A-location prices.
• CBS International Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for dual study programs (Duales Studium) in General Management and Wirtschaftsinformatik. Students spend 21 hours weekly gaining practical experience at B. Boll and 14 hours studying at the CBS campus in Solingen. Other universities possible by arrangement.
• Ferihan Steiner TalentakademieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Boll Academy, an exclusive seminar program focusing on lifelong learning, agile working, and appreciative communication. Originally developed for B. Boll employees, the program is now open to other companies in the Bergisches Land. Topics include digital work, remote leadership, and professional development for apprentices and young professionals.
• Westdeutsche Zeitung (WZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation in editorial and marketing community 'WZplus' with Westdeutsche Zeitung. Partnership ensured the continuation of Bergischer Volksbote in Burscheid after WZ's restructuring. Both parties benefit from shared regional coverage and marketing synergies.
• Solinger SchulenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local schools for newspaper education projects including Mini-ZiSch (reading promotion for elementary schools) and ZiSch (media literacy for grades 8-10). The ZiSch project teaches students about journalism, media consumption, and newspaper production.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Westdeutsche Zeitung (WZ): Regional daily newspaper group serving adjacent North Rhine-Westphalia markets and an existing editorial/marketing partner of B. Boll via the 'WZplus' community. Operates comparable daily newspapers, advertising papers, and digital platforms for overlapping regional audiences.
• Rheinische Post (Rheinische Post Mediengruppe): One of Germany's largest regional newspaper publishers, also based in North Rhine-Westphalia and serving Düsseldorf and surrounding areas. Operates a comparable multi-channel portfolio of daily newspapers, digital platforms, and local advertising products.

Broad incumbents

• Funke Mediengruppe: Major German regional media group publishing numerous daily newspapers, advertising papers, and digital platforms including the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ). Broad incumbent with overlapping regional newspaper operations and significantly greater scale.
• Madsack Mediengruppe: Large German regional newspaper group publishing titles such as Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung and Lübecker Nachrichten. Comparable as a multi-channel regional publisher with both print and digital subscription businesses.
• Ippen Mediengruppe: German family-owned regional media group publishing numerous daily newspapers (including Frankfurter Rundschau) and operating the ippen digital network. Comparable as a multi-property regional publisher investing in digital transformation.
• Süddeutsche Zeitung: Germany's largest national-quality daily newspaper with a strong paid digital subscription business (SZ Plus). Comparable as a German newspaper publisher that has successfully scaled paid digital subscriptions, representing an aspirational benchmark for B. Boll's digital transition.

Regional players

• Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger / KStA Digitale Medien: Regional daily newspaper serving Cologne and the surrounding Rhineland area, part of the DuMont media group. Geographic neighbor of B. Boll with comparable daily newspaper, E-Paper, and digital advertising products.
• Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ): Major regional newspaper of the Ruhr area published by Funke Mediengruppe. Comparable as a regional subscription/advertising product serving adjacent North Rhine-Westphalia markets with a similar print-digital mix.
• Ruhr Nachrichten: Regional daily newspaper serving the Ruhr region with print, E-Paper, and digital subscriptions. Comparable as a mid-sized regional newspaper publisher with similar market structure to B. Boll's titles.

Others

• Radio Bochum / lokale NRW-Hörfunkstationen: Other local NRW radio stations competing for regional advertising budgets alongside Radio RSG. Comparable as ecosystem peers in the local-radio advertising market that B. Boll targets through its majority stake in Radio RSG.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sgtageblatt
• Facebookfacebook.com/sgtageblatt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solinger-tageblatt
• Instagraminstagram.com/solingertageblatt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about B. Boll Verlag des Solingen Tageblatt