Bayrische Akademie für Fernsehen

What Bayrische Akademie für Fernsehen does

Bayerische Akademie für Fernsehen und Digitale Medien e.V. (BAF) is a non-profit media education institution headquartered in Unterföhring near Munich, Germany, founded in 1993. The academy runs a Germany-wide distinctive compact-study (Kompaktstudium) model offering full-time, 4-to-10-month programs in journalism and moderation, moderation and storytelling, camera/cinematography, and editing/post-production, as well as part-time continuing education tracks (Weiterbildung) for working professionals and a short Summer School. The core "technology" of BAF is its physical production infrastructure and curriculum, which combine professional-grade media production equipment with project-based learning under the guidance of more than 90 active industry practitioners, producing a portfolio (including a professional showreel) rather than graded academic outputs.

The business model is tuition-based education. All full-time Kompaktstudium programs are AZAV-certified, making them eligible for up to 100% funding via German government education vouchers (Bildungsgutschein) issued by the employment agency, which materially lowers the cost barrier for career changers and job seekers. As a registered non-profit association (e.V.), BAF reinvests all revenue into teaching quality and equipment rather than distributing profit, and it is supported institutionally by a network of Förderer (sponsors) including Bayerischer Rundfunk, ZDF, Seven.One Entertainment Group, BLM, the Bayerische Staatskanzlei, RTLZWEI, VFF, and others. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the BAF website, info sessions, and on-campus enrollment at the Unterföhring campus, with no disclosed multi-site expansion. The target segments are career changers entering the media industry and working media professionals seeking upskilling; the principal customer logos in the source material (BR, ZDF, Netflix, Red Bull Mediahouse, etc.) represent alumni employer destinations rather than paying customers.

Name

Bayrische Akademie für Fernsehen

Legal name

Bayerische Akademie für Fernsehen und Digitale Medien e.V.

Website

https://fernsehakademie.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bayerische Akademie für Fernsehen (BAF) is a non-profit German media academy offering 4–10 month full-time compact studies and part-time continuing education in journalism, moderation, camera, and editing, serving career changers and working media professionals with AZAV-certified, government-voucher-funded programs at its Unterföhring campus near Munich.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media Education & Vocational Training

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Media education programs
• Compact study programs
• Journalism training
• Film production education
• Professional development courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Unterföhring

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Education Program Fees: Revenue generated from tuition fees for compact studies (4-10 months) and professional development courses. As a non-profit organization (e.V.), all funds are reinvested directly into teaching quality and technical equipment. Programs are AZAV-certified and eligible for up to 100% funding via government education vouchers (Bildungsgutschein) from employment agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BAF is a non-profit media academy that sells practical-oriented compact study programs (Kompaktstudium, 4–10 months full-time) in journalism/moderation, moderation/storytelling, camera/cinematography, and editing/post-production, as well as part-time continuing education programs (Weiterbildung) in moderation, fiction producing, and a short Summer School. All full-time Kompaktstudium programs are AZAV-certified and eligible for up to 100% funding via German education vouchers (Bildungsgutschein), with instruction delivered by 90+ active industry practitioners.

Product overview

The Bayerische Akademie für Medien (BAF) offers a unified educational platform combining full-time compact study programs (Kompaktstudium) lasting 4-10 months and part-time continuing education programs (Weiterbildung). The compact studies include four specialized tracks: Journalismus & Moderation (10 months), Moderation & Storytelling (4 months), Kamera & Cinematography, and Editing & Post-Production—all starting October 2026. The continuing education offerings comprise Moderation (2 months, April 2027), Fiction Producer (April 2027), and a 5-day Summer School (August 2026). All compact study programs are AZAV-certified and eligible for education vouchers. The academy emphasizes hands-on production experience under real conditions, portfolio development, and direct industry networking through over 90 instructors from the media industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kompaktstudium Journalismus & Moderation A 10-month full-time compact study program in journalism and moderation for individuals seeking to enter the media industry, focused on practical project work and portfolio building under real production conditions.
• Kompaktstudium Moderation & Storytelling A 4-month full-time compact study program in moderation and storytelling emphasizing practical skills and creative narrative development for prospective media professionals.
• Kompaktstudium Kamera & Cinematography A full-time compact study program in camera work and cinematography for aspiring cinematographers and camera operators, with hands-on production experience under real conditions.
• Kompaktstudium Editing & Post-Production A full-time compact study program in editing and post-production for individuals pursuing careers in post-production, focused on practical skills and portfolio development.
• Weiterbildung Moderation A 2-month part-time continuing education program in moderation, designed for working media professionals seeking to enhance their on-air or presentation skills.
• Weiterbildung Fiction Producer A part-time continuing education program for fiction producing aimed at working professionals seeking to deepen their production expertise and transition into producing roles.
• Summer School An intensive 5-day Summer School program providing concentrated media training in a short timeframe for individuals seeking a short-format introduction to media production skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1600+ graduates have entered the media and creative industry

Named customers8 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

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor public broadcaster and one of BAF's key supporters. Provides industry expertise, likely contributes instructors, and represents a primary employer for BAF alumni. Listed among BAF's Förderer (sponsors/supporters) alongside other major media entities.
• ZDFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman public broadcaster and key supporter of BAF. Represents a major employer destination for BAF graduates and provides industry credibility to the academy's programs.
• Seven.One Entertainment GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor media company (part of ProSiebenSat.1) and one of BAF's primary Förderer. Provides industry backing and represents potential employment pathway for graduates.
• Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBavarian state media authority that supports BAF as part of its mission to develop media competencies in the region.
• Bayerische StaatskanzleicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBavarian State Chancellery provides BAF with permanent/sustained Förderer status, indicating long-term governmental support for the academy's mission.
• RTLZWEImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman private television broadcaster and BAF Förderer, representing another major media employer for graduates.
• Mediengruppe AttenkofermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional media group that supports BAF as a Förderer, providing industry connections and potential employment pathways.
• Verwertungsgesellschaft der Film- und Fernsehproduzenten (VFF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm and television producers' rights society that supports BAF, contributing to industry representation and networking opportunities for students.
• Gemeinde UnterföhringmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality where BAF is located provides local support as a Förderer, with the town being a hub for media companies in the Munich area.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ifs internationale filmschule köln: Cologne-based film school with a project-driven, vocational approach to directing, cinematography, screenwriting, and editing. Mirrors BAF's compact, practice-led model for direct media industry entry.
• Macromedia University of Applied Sciences: German private university with campuses across multiple cities offering practice-oriented bachelor's and master's programs in media, film, journalism, and creative industries. Comparable to BAF in its private, practice-oriented, media-vocational positioning.
• Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: One of Germany's leading state-recognized film schools, offering practical, project-based media education across production, animation, and interactive media. Strongly comparable in its emphasis on hands-on, portfolio-driven training and industry connection.
• Deutsche Journalistenschule (DJS): Munich-based postgraduate school for journalism and editorial work, preparing students for careers at leading broadcasters and publications. Directly comparable to BAF's journalism & moderation track in curriculum and broadcaster alumni outcomes.
• Henri-Nannen-Schule: Hamburg-based journalism school backed by Gruner+Jahr and major publishers, focused on practical journalism training with strong industry placement. Comparable to BAF's journalism track in vocational model and corporate media backing.
• Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München (HFF): Munich-based film and television university offering practical training in directing, cinematography, production, and screenwriting. The closest geographic peer and a direct competitor for media talent in the Bavaria media hub where BAF operates.
• btk (Berliner Technische Kunsthochschule): Berlin-based private university focused on design, illustration, and media production with project-based teaching. Comparable to BAF in private-sector media/creative training and connection to industry pipelines, though based in Berlin rather than Munich.

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA Hochschule für Medien: German private media university offering accredited bachelor's and master's programs in journalism, communication, and media production. A broader incumbent offering degree-based alternatives to BAF's non-degree compact-study model.
• SAE Institute Germany: Global private media education network with German locations offering diploma and degree tracks across audio, film, gaming, and animation. Comparable to BAF in delivering compact, career-oriented media training, but broader in scope and globally scaled.

Emerging players

• RTL Journalistenschule (now RTL Academy): In-house broadcaster training program for journalism talent at the RTL group. Comparable to BAF in targeting practical broadcast journalism training and direct employer placement, though narrower in scope and tied to a single media group.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOvQp2Hm7uvGppAgoBdbYWw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/bayerischeakademiefuermedien
• Instagraminstagram.com/bayerischeakademiefuermedien
• Xx.com/baf_tv_akademie
• Facebookfacebook.com/baf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Bayrische Akademie für Fernsehen