Bertelsmann German company Also known as: Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA Written by Christian Herzog Contributor to SAGE Publications's The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Mass Media and Society (2020) whose work appears in Britannica as part of a joint publishing agreement with SAGE. Christian HerzogAll Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 24, 2026 •History The Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, headquartered in Gütersloh, Germany, is a major European media, services, and education company operating in 50 countries. According to the Institute of Media and Communications Policy’s 2017 ranking, it is the 16th largest media company worldwide. It was family-led until 1981 and is still controlled by the Mohn family. As a conglomerate, it comprises about 1,200 individual companies or equity interests. This entry further describes the company and discusses...

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