98.8 Kiss FM

What 98.8 Kiss FM does

98.8 Kiss FM (legal entity: KISS FM Radio GmbH & Co. KG) is a Berlin-headquartered private German radio broadcaster specializing in urban music formats. The company operates a 24/7 Hip Hop and R&B live stream complemented by over 20 curated genre-specific channels covering Deutschrap, Old School Hip Hop, Latin, Afro Beats, Italian Beats, DJ Sets, and other urban sub-genres. Programming is personality-driven through scheduled live shows including Big Moe's Morningshow (05:00-10:00), Mille Meets Deutschrap interviews, Gianluca Live (14:00-18:00), and Get Unready, plus on-demand podcasts (Out Of Time, Rik & Aimée, Last Words To Your Ex).

The underlying technology stack combines traditional FM transmission at 98.8 MHz, DAB+ digital radio, a proprietary iOS/Android mobile app, web streaming, and voice-activated smart-speaker integration (Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant). Supporting platform features include a Trackfinder playlist-lookup tool, an Event Navigator for concerts and festivals, an email newsletter ('Inbox'), a Musik-Tester program that compensates listeners (€98.80/week) for playlist feedback, and a deals/voucher shop for listener offers. The station is also expanding into owned events (HipHop Ball Berlin) and original content (JULIAN WM-Song 2026).

KISS FM's revenue model is advertising-led, monetized through on-air radio spots, branded content integrations, event sponsorships (HipHop Ball Berlin, Icon League coverage), and partnership deals with consumer brands (Spreequell Fruchtinade, Switch/Dyson campaigns) and sports properties (Eisbären Berlin official media partnership). Consumer access is free across all channels; there are no subscription tiers. The target audience is German-speaking urban music enthusiasts aged 18-35, with active geographic footprint in Berlin and Hamburg and recent expansion into Munich.

Name

98.8 Kiss FM

Legal name

KISS FM Radio GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://kissfm.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

98.8 Kiss FM is a Berlin-based private German radio broadcaster delivering 24/7 Hip Hop, R&B, and Deutschrap programming across FM, DAB+, mobile app, and smart-speaker channels, targeting urban music listeners aged 18-35 and monetizing through advertising, sponsorships, and owned events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Music Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Non-Interactive Digital Radio (Lean-Back Streaming) (MPAIACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)

Keywords

• Urban radio broadcasting
• Hip hop radio station
• Music streaming channels
• Digital audio broadcasting
• Radio advertising network

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: KISS FM generates primary revenue through advertising, offering businesses opportunities to reach their urban music audience through radio spots, sponsorships, and branded content integrations within shows and programming.
2. Partnership & Sponsorship Deals: The station monetizes through official partnerships with brands and organizations, including the Eisbären Berlin hockey team partnership and event sponsorships such as the HipHop Ball Berlin, WM Song promotions, and promotional campaigns with consumer brands like Spreequell Fruchtinade.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

98.8 Kiss FM is a Berlin-based urban music radio station broadcasting Hip Hop and R&B 24/7 via FM (98.8 MHz), DAB+ digital radio, free iOS/Android mobile app, website streaming, and smart speakers. The station delivers over 20 curated genre channels (Oldschool Hip Hop, R&B, Deutschrap Unlimited, Latin, Afro Beats, Italian Beats, DJ Sets, Classics, etc.), live personality-driven shows (Big Moe's Morningshow, Mille Meets, Gianluca Live, Get Unready), podcasts, and signature urban culture events such as HipHop Ball Berlin.

Product overview

98.8 Kiss FM is a Berlin-based urban music radio station operating as a unified audio entertainment platform with multiple content delivery channels. The core offering consists of a 24/7 live radio stream (KISS FM LIVE) and over 20 genre-specific music streams covering Hip Hop, R&B, Deutschrap, Latin, Afro Beats, Electronic, and more. The platform extends through a free iOS/Android mobile app, DAB+ digital broadcasting, traditional FM frequencies, and a robust podcast division featuring shows like Out Of Time, Rik & Aimée, and Last Words To Your Ex. Live programming includes morning shows (Big Moe's Morning Show), midday content (Mille Meets for Deutschrap interviews), and afternoon drives (Gianluca Live). Supporting services include a Trackfinder playlist tool, Event Navigator for concerts, a Musik-Tester playlist influence program, newsletter (Inbox), and a deals/gutscheinshop platform. KISS FM also presents signature events including the HipHop Ball Berlin and produces original music content like the JULIAN WM-Song 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KISS FM Live Radio Stream The primary 24/7 live radio broadcast featuring Hip Hop and R&B music, distributed across FM, DAB+, web streaming, and mobile app for listeners in Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich markets.
• KISS FM Music Streams (20+ Curated Channels) Over 20 genre-specific music channels including OldSchool Hip Hop, Newschool R&B, Deutschrap Unlimited, Latin, Afro Beats, Italian Beats, DJ Sets, Classics, Urban Beats, Electronic Lounge, and Beats Non-Stop, available via the mobile app and web streaming.
• KISS FM Mobile App Free iOS and Android application providing live streaming, access to all 20+ music channels, current playlists, song request submission, and direct messaging to the KISS FM team.
• KISS FM Podcasts Original podcast content including Out Of Time, Rik & Aimée (Vietnamkrieg vs TikTok), and Last Words To Your Ex, featuring stories, artist interviews, and on-demand real talk content for urban music listeners.
• KISS FM DAB+ Channel Digital audio broadcasting (DAB+) channel for DAB+ radio receivers, providing high-quality audio transmission alongside traditional FM, available in Berlin and Hamburg.
• Big Moe's Morning Show Flagship morning radio show airing 05:00-10:00 with hosts Big Moe, Karolina, Franzi, and Michelle delivering Hip Hop and R&B music, news, entertainment, Traffic Rap, and KISS Nation song requests.
• Mille Meets - Home of Deutschrap Deutschrap interview show hosted by Mille airing Mondays 20:00-22:00 with exclusive artist interviews featuring major German rappers such as Luvre47, Kool Savas, Ski Aggu, and Olexesh, distributed on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and on-air.
• Gianluca Live Weekday afternoon radio show airing 14:00-18:00 hosted by Gianluca featuring Hip Hop and R&B music, entertainment, and listener interaction.
• Rap-Ducation by KISS FM Educational livestream series explaining the history and culture behind hip-hop beefs, how memes become hits, and the backstories of viral moments, distributed across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, and on-air.
• Off Stream by KISS FM Livestream series hosted by Gianluca discussing streaming industry mechanics, creator business decisions, and platform dynamics for the German market.
• Get Unready (New School R'n'B Edition) Sunday evening radio show airing 20:00-22:00 hosted by Malisha featuring hyped and underrated New School R'n'B artists.
• Musik-Tester Program Paid music testing program where selected KISS FM listeners can influence the station's playlists by providing survey feedback on tracks, earning €98.80 per week for participation.
• HipHop Ball Berlin Annual signature urban culture event at Berlin's Rotes Rathaus presented by KISS FM, combining HipHop, classical music, dance, graffiti, and urban culture in a ball tradition format.
• JULIAN (KISS FM WM-Song 2026) KISS FM's official 2026 World Cup song 'Julian' created in collaboration with former German footballer Lukas Podolski, distributed as original branded music content tied to the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130,000 Euro raised for children's charity via HAPPY KISSmas 2025 campaign

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lukas PodolskiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 June 2026Collaborated with former German footballer Lukas Podolski to create 'Julian' - the KISS FM World Cup Song 2026.
• Eisbären BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKISS FM is the official media partner of Eisbären Berlin, Germany's premier ice hockey team and 2026 German champions. The partnership includes cross-promotional activities, event coverage, and branded content featuring the team.
• Berliner Rundfunk 91.4minorOthersListed as a media partner network connection, allowing cross-promotional content sharing between Berlin radio stations.
• 94,3 RS2minorOthersListed as a media partner network connection within the broader Berlin radio ecosystem.
• Flying StepscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured opening ceremony performers at HipHop Ball Berlin 2026, bringing balletic urban dance performances to the event at Rotes Rathaus.
• Spreequell FruchtinademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented by Spreequell Fruchtinade: KISS FM Juicy Questions promotional campaign featuring branded content integration.
• Icon LeagueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoverage and interview partnership with Icon League soccer league featuring rappers playing against football stars.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Fritz (RBB): Berlin/Brandenburg public youth radio with alternative urban music programming. Shares the Berlin market with KISS FM and targets overlapping young listeners, though as a public broadcaster.
• 104.6 RTL (Berlin): Major Berlin commercial hit radio station serving the same Berlin market as KISS FM. Competes for the mass-market advertising budget targeting Berlin consumers.
• Radio Hamburg: Leading Hamburg commercial radio station sharing the same Hamburg broadcast market as KISS FM. Competes for listeners and local advertisers in one of KISS FM's three key markets.

Direct peers

• bigFM: Germany's largest Hip Hop and urban music radio network, broadcasting across multiple states with a similar Hip Hop/R&B format. Direct head-to-head competitor for urban music listeners and advertisers in overlapping German markets.
• 1LIVE (WDR): WDR's youth-oriented radio network with a strong Hip Hop/pop mix reaching urban audiences in NRW and digitally nationwide. Comparable target demographic (18-35) with similar music curation approach.
• Radio Energy (NRJ Germany): Major German youth radio network with urban-leaning music programming across multiple cities. Competes for the same 18-35 urban listener and advertiser pool with multi-market presence similar to KISS FM.
• Jam FM: Berlin-based urban music radio station targeting a similar young urban demographic with Hip Hop and electronic music. Competes directly with KISS FM in the Berlin market for the same listener profile and advertising dollars.

Broad incumbents

• Spotify: Global audio streaming leader increasingly competing for the same urban music listening time and ad-supported audio budgets. Represents both a substitute for linear radio listening and a potential programmatic audio advertising competitor.

Emerging players

• Trace (Trace TV / Trace Radio): International urban music media brand with radio and TV channels focused on Hip Hop and R&B. Targets the same urban music demographic globally with comparable format specialization.
• HipHop.de: Germany's largest Hip Hop digital media and community platform covering news, music, and Deutschrap content. Comparable target audience and content vertical; potential digital competitor for advertising spend.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/988kissfm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiF9QIdf6kE09uCXmXESVWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/988KISSFM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/98.8-kiss-fm
• Instagraminstagram.com/kissfm.de
• TikToktiktok.com/@kissfm.de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 98.8 Kiss FM