What Lauscherlounge Gmbh does

Lauscherlounge GmbH is a Berlin-based audio entertainment company founded in 2003 by Oliver Rohrbeck and Kai Schenker. The company produces audio dramas (Hörspiele) and audiobooks (Hörbücher), and operates a touring live-theater business built around a proprietary "Live-Hörspiel" format in which professional voice actors perform audio dramas on stage in real time, with live foley sound effects and original musical scores generated in front of the audience. Its core products fall into three buckets: touring live performances across Germany and Austria (including participatory Mitmach-Hörspiele tied to the iconic Die drei ??? franchise and Sebastian Fitzek thriller adaptations), published audiobooks released under the LL Verlag imprint, and B2B event-production services for corporate clients and venue organizers.

The underlying production infrastructure combines a 20+ person core team (sound designers, foley artists, composers, directors, voice actors) with a freelance talent pool anchored by Germany's leading voice actors, including the founders themselves and the principal voices of Die drei ???. Recordings and post-production are handled in-house via the sister company Dashörspielstudio XBerg. Distribution flows through Reservix and Eventim for live-event ticketing, direct-to-consumer platforms (fabely.com, bwlnk.com) plus major German audiobook retailers for recorded content, and direct corporate sales for private bookings. The company's revenue model is a diversified mix of consumer ticketing, audiobook one-time licensing, B2B professional services fees, licensing royalties (including with Sony Music Entertainment Germany), and transaction fees from record-release events. The customer base is a long-tail consumer audience (thriller readers, Die drei ??? fan families, audiobook subscribers) with a smaller B2B tail of corporate event organizers and venue partners such as Berliner Philharmonie, Konzerthaus Karlsruhe, ufaFabrik Berlin, and various German cultural festivals.

Name

Lauscherlounge Gmbh

Legal name

Lauscherlounge GmbH

Website

https://lauscherlounge.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lauscherlounge GmbH is a Berlin-based audio entertainment company founded in 2003 that produces and publishes audio dramas and audiobooks, and tours live audio theater performances across Germany and Austria featuring Germany's leading voice actors, with anchor partnerships around Die drei ??? and Sebastian Fitzek.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Audio Theater and Audiobook Publishing

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Record Production and Distribution (512250), Sound Recording Studios (512240), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scheduled Live Audio Events & Ticketed Rooms (MPACAEAB), Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

Keywords

• Live audio theater
• Audio drama production
• Audiobook publishing
• Live event production
• Voice acting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kreuzberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Live Event Tickets: Revenue from touring live audio theater performances sold through third-party ticketing platforms. Events range from small venue readings to large concerts at Berliner Philharmonie (sold-out shows).
2. Audiobook & Radio Play Publishing: Publishing audiobooks and radio plays under the LL Verlag (Lauscherlounge Publishing) label. Products sold through major audiobook distributors and streaming platforms. Includes historical novels, crime/thrillers, children's content, and classics.
3. Corporate & Private Event Production: Exclusive live audio theater events for companies or special occasions, including concept development, script writing, sound/lighting design, artist booking, and event execution.
4. Record Release Parties: Events celebrating the release of new Die drei ??? (Three ???) radio play episodes, featuring the full cast including Oliver Rohrbeck.
5. Licensing Royalties: Revenue from licensing audio and video recordings of productions, including rights transfers to partners like Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lauscherlounge produces and performs live audio theater (Live-Hörspiele) events across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where professional voice actors, foley artists, and musicians create audio dramas on stage in real time. It also publishes audiobooks and audio dramas under its LL Verlag imprint, sells participatory Mitmach-Hörspiele (audience-on-stage shows) tied to franchises such as Die drei ???, and offers turnkey live event production services to corporate clients and venue organizers.

Product overview

Lauscherlounge GmbH is a Berlin-based audio entertainment company founded in 2003 that operates as a unified live and recorded audio entertainment platform. The core offering consists of Live-Hörspiele (live audio drama performances) where professional voice actors perform audio dramas on stage with live sound effects. The company produces Hörspiele (audio dramas) and Hörbücher (audiobooks) under its LL Verlag publishing imprint, featuring adaptations of literary classics, original works, and popular franchises like Sebastian Fitzek thrillers and Die drei ???. Live events include Mitmachhörspiele (audience participation shows), Record Release Parties for Die drei ??? releases, and dramatic readings. The company operates a dedicated event services division for venue organizers and maintains a pool of professional voice actors and artists for productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live-Hörspiele (Live Audio Theater) Live audio drama performances where actors, voice actors, and foley artists perform audio dramas on stage in real time, creating voices, sound effects, and music live for audiences. Touring productions include Sebastian Fitzek adaptations and original works.
• Hörspiele (Audio Dramas) Professionally produced audio drama productions, including adaptations of literary classics, original works, thrillers, and children's stories, available for streaming and download via fabely.com, bwlnk.com, and major audiobook retailers.
• Hörbücher (Audiobooks) under LL Verlag Audiobook publications under the LL Verlag imprint, featuring historical novels, crime fiction, literary adaptations, and contemporary fiction narrated by professional voice actors. Distributed via fabely.com, bwlnk.com, and major German audiobook platforms.
• Mitmachhörspiele (Audience-Participation Audio Dramas) Participatory live audio drama events where selected audience members perform on stage alongside professional voice actors. Anchored by Die drei ??? (Three ???) Mitmachtour casting events.
• Record Release Parties Live celebration events for new Die drei ??? (Three ???) audio drama episode releases, featuring the full voice cast including Oliver Rohrbeck, Andreas Fröhlich, and Jens Wawrczeck.
• Lesungen (Live Readings) Live dramatic readings and staged presentations of literary works, including adaptations of classics like Die Weihnachtsgeschichte (A Christmas Carol) and the Schöneberger Allerlei series.
• Corporate and Private Live-Hörspiel Event Services Turnkey live audio theater event production for companies, festivals, and venues, including concept development, script writing, sound and lighting design, artist booking, event execution, and settlement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully produced events for audiences of 1,400+ people at open-air venues
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sebastian FitzekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSebastian Fitzek, Germany's bestselling author of psychological thrillers (13M+ books sold), grants Lauscherlounge exclusive rights to adapt his novels as live audio theater productions. Multiple adaptations including Amokspiel, Das Paket, Der Heimweg, Der Nachtwandler, Der Insasse, and Die Therapie have been produced and toured across Germany. These adaptations are flagship events in Lauscherlounge's touring program.
• Armistead MaupincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLauscherlounge has produced audiobooks of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' series, including all 9 parts (Stadtgeschichten 1-9). These literary adaptations represent a significant part of their catalog and appeal to adult audiobook listeners.
• Bram Stoker EstateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed adaptation of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' as a radio play, featuring Oliver Rohrbeck and other prominent German voice actors with music by Dirk Wilhelm and foley by Jörg Klinkenberg.
• Edgar Allan Poe Estate / Literary Rights HoldersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLauscherlounge produced 'Drei Geschichten' - a trilogy featuring classic horror stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and Guy de Maupassant, narrated by the three main actors of Die drei ???.
• Dirk WilhelmcoreTechnology or IntegrationComposer who creates original music scores for Lauscherlounge productions. His compositions enhance audiobooks and radio plays including 'Dracula', 'übernacht' (with Olli Schulz), and the 'DREI' trilogy.
• Jörg KlinkenbergcoreTechnology or IntegrationMaster foley artist who creates live sound effects for Lauscherlounge performances and recordings. Regular collaborator since the company's founding in 2003. His live foley work is a signature element of Lauscherlounge's live shows.
• Farina EdenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman author whose historical novels including 'Die Seifenmanufaktur' trilogy (3 parts) and 'Das Findelkind' are published by Lauscherlounge's LL Verlag.
• Christian HardinghausminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman author and historian whose works including 'Mindfuck Stories' (15-part anthology), 'Die Spionin der Charité', 'Ferdinand Sauerbruch und die Charité', and 'Die Buchhändlerin von Königsberg' are produced as audiobooks by Lauscherlounge.
• Kai SchwindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthor and director of 'Das Lufer Haus', a groundbreaking horror radio play recorded in documentary style in an actual Swiss haunted house. The production received acclaim from SPIEGEL Kultur and Hoerspatz.de.
• Johanna SteinerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthor and director whose radio play 'übernacht' won the Ohrkanus award and was nominated for the German Audiobook Prize. Also authored 'Das tapfere Schneiderlein' live audio play adaptation.
• Josef UlbigcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRadio play director and author who has worked at Lauscherlounge since 2014, leading creative processes. Directed Sebastian Fitzek adaptations ('Der Nachtwandler', 'Der Insasse', 'Das Paket', 'Die Therapie') and created original productions like 'In extrem kurzer Zeit um die Welt'.
• Oliver RohrbeckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Lauscherlounge, voice actor (German voice of Ben Stiller), director, and artistic leader. Performs in Die drei ??? and other productions. His involvement as both talent and creative director is central to the company's identity.
• Kultursommer NordhessenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFestival organizer that serves as the promoter/host for Lauscherlounge's 'Amokspiel' live audio theater production in Kassel at the Kongress Palais.
• KulturImZeltminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFestival organizer that serves as the promoter/host for Lauscherlounge's 'Amokspiel' live audio theater production in Braunschweig.
• ReservixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary ticketing platform for Lauscherlounge live events across Germany. Handles ticket sales, distribution, and sometimes venue booking for touring productions.
• EventimminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecondary ticketing platform used for select Lauscherlounge events including Würzburg and Stuttgart shows.
• Berliner PhilharmoniecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium concert venue that hosts sold-out Lauscherlounge events including Die drei ??? Mitmach-Hörspiel performances. Represents high-end positioning for the brand.
• Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic and entertainment company involved in rights agreements for Lauscherlounge productions. Mentioned in casting terms as rights recipient for audio/video recordings of 'Die drei ???' Mitmach-Tour.
• Dashörspielstudio XBergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company (Schwesterunternehmen) of Lauscherlounge. Operates as a professional audio studio for recordings and provides live recording services for Lauscherlounge events. Located in Berlin. Authors submit concepts via dashoerspielstudio.de.
• xpub.euminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSub-publishing partner (Sub-Verlag) referenced on the productions page, distributing selected Lauscherlounge productions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Berliner Philharmoniker (Digital Concert Hall): Premium German classical music organization that hosts Lauscherlounge's sold-out events. Comparable as a venue partner sharing the same premium high-end German cultural audience.

Direct peers

• Hörspiel Hamburg: Independent German audio drama production house focused on Hörspiele and audiobooks. Comparable in scale and creative focus to Lauscherlounge's recorded and live audio drama production.
• Kiddinx Media: German children's audio drama producer and rights holder adjacent to Die drei ???. Directly comparable to Lauscherlounge in Hörspiel production for kids and family audiences, with similar voice actor networks.
• Der Audio Verlag (DAV): Berlin-based audiobook publisher producing literary and classic adaptations in German. Comparable as a specialized audiobook publisher with similar catalog curation and reliance on professional narrators.

Emerging players

• Ohrka.de: Free German audio drama platform offering children's Hörspiele online. Adjacent in the German audio drama ecosystem and competes for the same children's and family listening audience.
• Podimo: European podcast and audiobook subscription platform with notable German market presence. Comparable as a digital audio content platform where Lauscherlounge could either distribute or compete for listener time.

Broad incumbents

• Spotify: Global audio streaming platform with growing audiobook and podcast verticals. Represents both a distribution channel and a competitive threat for listener attention and audio content consumption.
• Audible (Amazon): Global audiobook leader with a strong German presence. Sets the competitive bar for distribution scale, marketing reach, and creator economics in the audiobook market Lauscherlounge's LL Verlag competes in.
• EUROPA (Sony Music Entertainment Germany): Long-established German audio drama label and the original producer of Die drei ???. Operates within the broader Sony Music catalog and competes with Lauscherlounge for both recorded audio drama production and access to German voice talent.

Regional players

• Dirk Kurbjuweit / Argon Verlag: German audiobook publisher with strong thriller and literary adaptations catalog, often using top voice actors. Comparable in production quality and audience overlap, particularly for the Sebastian Fitzek-type thriller category Lauscherlounge adapts live.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lauscherlounge/?locale=de_DE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lauscherlounge
• Instagraminstagram.com/lauscherlounge/?hl=de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Lauscherlounge Gmbh