What Bibel TV does

Bibel TV Stiftung gemeinnützige GmbH is a Hamburg-based, non-profit Christian television broadcaster founded in 2001/2002 that operates a 24/7 German-language ecumenical channel across satellite (ASTRA SD/HD), cable, DVB-T2, IPTV, HbbTV, and a full set of Smart TV, streaming-box, mobile (iOS/Android), and web-TV endpoints. Its content portfolio includes the Bibel TV Hauptprogramm (linear channel), the Mediathek on-demand library (powered by Brightcove), Bibel TV Impuls (devotional/impulse channel), MeinGottesdienst (aggregated live church services), EchtJetzt (real-life faith stories), and a Bibel TV Kids App with JusProg youth protection. A core differentiator is the Bibel TV App / Bibelthek, which combines the linear feed, six German Bible translations (Luther 2017, Einheitsübersetzung 2016, Gute Nachricht Bibel, Elberfelder 2006, Neue Genfer Übersetzung 2012, Schlachter 2000), over 8,000 linked sermon/devotional videos, and personal study tools (color-coded highlighting, notes, photos, voice memos, reading plans) — making Bibel TV as much a Bible-study platform as a broadcaster.

The business model is donation-driven: at least 80% of funding comes from viewer contributions (thousands of smaller donors plus major donors), supplemented by TV advertising/program sponsorship, program guide advertising (220,000+ monthly circulation), and minor infrastructure/redistribution services provided to other Christian broadcasters (Hope TV, K-TV, EWTN). There is no paywall; all services are free to end users, and Bibel TV is explicitly independent of church tax and GEZ (public broadcasting fee) funding. The company is for-profit in legal registration but operates as a registered gemeinnützige (charitable) GmbH exempt from corporate and trade tax, and is a verified member of the Deutscher Spendenrat. Ownership is concentrated: the Norman Rentrop Stiftung holds ~50% of shares as the initiating force, the Catholic and Evangelical churches collectively hold 25.5%, with the remainder distributed among Christian publishers, mission organizations, and media companies. Distribution is DACH-led (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) with broader Central European satellite reach.

Name

Bibel TV

Legal name

Bibel TV Stiftung gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://bibeltv.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bibel TV is a Hamburg-based non-profit German Christian broadcaster operating a 24/7 ecumenical television channel and multi-platform digital ecosystem (satellite, cable, IPTV, HbbTV, Smart TV, mobile, web), serving German-speaking viewers across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, funded primarily by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Broadcasting (TV & Radio) (MPABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Education, Kids & Family Faith Programming (MPABALAM), Religious/Faith-Based Cable Networks (MPABAFAK)

Keywords

• Christian television broadcasting
• Religious media streaming
• Online Bible platform
• Faith-based video content
• Ecumenical broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Viewer Donations: Primary revenue source. Bibel TV is funded at least 80% through donations from viewers and fans, including both major donors and thousands of smaller contributors.
2. Advertising Revenue: Television advertising and program sponsorship generate partial revenue, though not sufficient to fully fund operations. TV spots and program sponsorship are offered as advertising options.
3. Broadcasting Infrastructure Services: Provides technical broadcasting infrastructure and distribution services to other Christian broadcasters (Hope TV, K-TV, EWTN) through its streaming platform.
4. Program Guide Distribution: Free monthly program guide distributed to over 250,000 recipients, with advertising and insert opportunities for partners.
5. Ambassador Program: Ambassador packages and promotional materials distributed to supporters to help spread awareness of Bibel TV.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bibel TV operates a free 24/7 German-language Christian television channel broadcasting inspirational films, series, documentaries, sermons, talk shows, and live worship services, distributed via satellite (ASTRA), cable, DVB-T2, IPTV, HbbTV, Smart TV apps, streaming boxes, and web streaming. Around this core channel, the organization runs a digital ecosystem including an on-demand mediathek, a multi-function mobile/Smart TV app with an integrated online Bible library featuring six German translations and 8,000+ linked sermon videos, a dedicated kids app, a worship service aggregator (MeinGottesdienst), and an authentic-story sub-channel (EchtJetzt). All services are provided free of charge to viewers and funded primarily by donations.

Product overview

Bibel TV is a German-language, non-denominational Christian television foundation (Bibel TV Stiftung gemeinnützige GmbH) based in Hamburg, broadcasting a 24/7 TV channel and operating a digital multi-platform ecosystem. The core product is the Bibel TV Hauptprogramm — a free-to-air Christian TV channel distributed via satellite (ASTRA), cable, DVB-T2, IPTV, HbbTV, Smart TV apps, and web streaming. Around this core, Bibel TV operates the Bibel TV Mediathek (on-demand video library powered by Brightcove), the Bibel TV App (multi-function app for iOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV combining live TV, the Bibelthek online Bible with 6 German Bible translations, 8,000+ linked video sermons, personal notes, and Bible reading plans), Bibel TV Impuls (a devotional/impulse channel), MeinGottesdienst (live worship service aggregation), EchtJetzt (a separate authentic-story channel), the Bibel TV Kids App (child-safe version), and a monthly printed program guide. The ecosystem also includes partner channel re-distribution (EWTN, Hope TV, K-TV), a weekly newsletter (via Episerver), and a donation portal (via Twingle). Bibel TV is funded primarily by donations (approx. 80%) and is non-profit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bibel TV Hauptprogramm The primary 24/7 German-language Christian television channel broadcasting inspirational films, series, documentaries, sermons, talk shows, and live worship services. Distributed free-to-air via satellite (ASTRA, SD and HD), cable, DVB-T2, IPTV, HbbTV, Smart TV apps, streaming boxes, and web streaming.
• Bibel TV Mediathek An on-demand video library accessible via web, mobile app, and Smart TV, offering hundreds of programs including dramas, films, series, documentaries, and sermons, with content available for 7 days post-broadcast and some for longer periods. Integrated with the Brightcove video platform.
• Bibel TV App (Bibelthek) A multifunction mobile app for smartphones, tablets, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV offering live TV streaming, the Bibelthek online Bible with six German translations (Luther 2017, Einheitsübersetzung 2016, Gute Nachricht 2018, Elberfelder 2006, Neue Genfer 2012, Schlachter 2000), over 8,000 linked video sermons and devotions, personal notes, verse highlighting with multiple colors, photo attachments, voice recordings, unlimited cloud storage, and Bible reading plans (from 2025).
• Bibel TV Impuls A dedicated inspirational channel featuring short Christian impulses, devotions, and Bible readings available on-demand via the Bibel TV App and HbbTV.
• EchtJetzt A separate online channel featuring authentic real-life stories of people whose faith transformed their lives, available as a live stream with a published program schedule.
• MeinGottesdienst A service aggregating live worship services from various Christian churches (Catholic, Protestant) for viewing on demand, featuring churches such as Abtei Münsterschwarzach and Erzdiözese München-Freising.
• Bibel TV Kids App A dedicated child-safe app with content restricted to kid-appropriate programming, offered as a parental control alternative to the main app.
• Livestreams und Web-TV Free 24/7 live streaming of Bibel TV via web browsers (PC/laptop) using standard browsers, with no additional software required.
• Bibel TV Programmheft (Monthly Program Guide) A monthly printed program guide available free of charge (over 250,000 copies distributed monthly), providing a comprehensive overview of the channel's programming, also available digitally.
• Partner-Livestreams (EWTN, Hope TV, K-TV) Bibel TV distributes livestreams of partner Christian channels including EWTN (Catholic, founded by Mother Angelica in 1981), Hope TV, and K-TV (Catholic, German-language, founded 1999), accessible alongside Bibel TV's own programming.
• Bibel TV Spendenportal (Donation Portal) Online donation functionality enabling one-time and recurring (SEPA) donations to support Bibel TV's operations, powered by Twingle GmbH with bank accounts in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250,000 program guides distributed monthly to engaged viewers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BrightcovecoreTechnology or IntegrationBrightcove is the cloud-based video platform and streaming service provider for Bibel TV's mediathek, enabling on-demand video delivery to viewers across all digital channels.
• SCM Bundes-VerlagminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCM Bundes-Verlag handles advertising sales for Bibel TV including web banners, newsletter ads, and program guide advertisements. Emanuel Leinweber and André Buchholz serve as contacts.
• ZattoominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZattoo is an online television portal providing Bibel TV's full program streaming in Germany and Switzerland without interruption, expanding digital reach beyond traditional broadcast.
• Hope TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHope TV livestream is distributed through Bibel TV's streaming platform, expanding content offerings for viewers seeking biblical and faith-based programming.
• K-TV (Katholisches Fernsehen)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK-TV, Germany's first Catholic television channel (founded 1999), is distributed through Bibel TV's platform, serving Catholic viewers and complementing ecumenical offerings.
• EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEWTN, the global Catholic television network founded by Mother Angelica in 1981, has its livestream available through Bibel TV's digital platform.
• App Stores (Apple, Google, Amazon)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApple App Store, Google Play Store, and Amazon App Store distribute Bibel TV's mobile applications for iOS, Android, and Fire TV devices, enabling broad consumer access.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network): EWTN is the world's largest Catholic media network, distributing Catholic TV, radio, and digital content globally. Comparable as a faith-based TV broadcaster operating across satellite, cable, and digital platforms — and notably a current content partner distributed via Bibel TV's platform.
• Domradio: Domradio is a German Catholic radio and online media broadcaster based in Cologne, operated by the German Catholic Broadcasting Association. Comparable as a German religious broadcaster offering faith-based audio/video content across web and digital channels with institutional church backing.
• ERF Medien: ERF Medien is Germany's leading evangelical Christian media organization, operating ERF TV radio and online platforms with a similar cross-platform distribution model. Directly comparable as a German-language faith-based broadcaster serving the same ecumenical Protestant audience with overlapping content (sermons, devotionals, Bible teaching).
• K-TV (Katholisches Fernsehen): K-TV is Germany's first German-language Catholic TV channel, founded in 1999. Directly comparable as a German faith-based TV broadcaster with overlapping audience and content mix; also a current content distribution partner on Bibel TV's platform.
• Hope TV: Hope TV is a Christian broadcaster (Seventh-day Adventist-affiliated) distributing biblical and faith-based content across satellite and digital channels in Germany. Comparable as a DACH-region faith broadcaster with similar free-to-air distribution model; also a Bibel TV distribution partner.

Broad incumbents

• RTL Deutschland: RTL Deutschland is one of Germany's largest private TV broadcasters, operating multiple channels and a streaming platform (RTL+). Comparable as a German multi-platform broadcast operator sharing satellite/cable/streaming distribution infrastructure with Bibel TV.
• Daystar Television Network: Daystar is a major US-based Christian TV network with global satellite reach. Comparable as a multi-platform faith broadcaster with content licensing and original programming; larger and more international in scope.
• Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN): TBN is one of the world's largest Christian broadcasting networks, operating multiple global TV channels. Comparable as an established Christian TV incumbent with a broad content portfolio, though larger and more international than Bibel TV's DACH-focused scope.
• ProSiebenSat.1 Media: ProSiebenSat.1 operates major German free-TV channels (ProSieben, SAT.1, Kabel Eins) plus the Joyn streaming platform. Comparable as a German-language broadcaster with overlapping satellite, cable, and streaming distribution footprint.

Regional players

• SAT.1: SAT.1 is a major German free-TV channel operating across DACH and distributed via satellite, cable, IPTV, and streaming. Comparable as a broadcaster sharing Bibel TV's exact distribution channels (ASTRA satellite, cable, IPTV, Smart TV apps) though targeting a mass-market secular audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bibeltv
• Facebookfacebook.com/bibeltv
• Instagraminstagram.com/bibel.tv
• Xx.com/bibeltv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bibeltv

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Bibel TV