Dicand family takes over the Kronen Zeitung-what now?

Dicand family takes over the Kronen Zeitung-what now?

The media scene in Austria has made a striking change. The Essen Funke Mediengruppe sold its 50 percent share at the "Kronen Zeitung", so that the Vienna publishing family of Dichand is now taking over the sole control of the country's largest daily newspaper. With more than two million readers a day, the “Kronen Zeitung” has an enormous impact on public opinion formation in Austria. After decades of legal disputes, the sale comes between the sub -ers, especially for profit guarantees, and is the result of a upheaval on the media market, which was triggered by the bankruptcy of the Signa Group by René Benko.

The return of the shares to the Dichand family was described as a friendly process. Julia Becker, the Funke Group's chairman of the supervisory board, was positive about the negotiation and the handover. Christoph Duand, the new publisher of the "Kronen Zeitung", is planning the further development of the newspaper, while Michael Tillian, as managing director and Gerhard Valeskini, remain in leadership roles. Nevertheless, the competitive authorities still have to agree to the fundamental agreement before the transfer is finally carried out, which could probably be the case until November 2023, as reports the press

important player in the media landscape

The "Kronen Zeitung" not only comes as the largest daily newspaper in Austria, but is also one of the most influential media worldwide. Your reporting has a special affinity on emotionalized topics and, among other things, indicates the Catholic Church and social affairs. The editors are known for its campaign journalism and is closely observed by political decision -makers. This media dominance has led to many politicians acting in Austria as if they themselves were editors of the "Kronen Zeitung", which are strongly based on the news values ​​of this publication. Deutschlandfunk emphasizes the unprecedented market power of the boulevard media in Austria and describes how the reporting there shapes the understanding of action by politicians.

Especially after the revelations around the Strache video, the "Kronen Zeitung" has tightened its reporting on the FPÖ. Political scientist Fritz Plasser notices a continuing critical tendency to report on the geopolitical role of this newspaper. Also compared to other large tabloids, such as the "Bild-Zeitung", the "Kronen Zeitung" offers a broader editorial concept and covers both national and international politics.

prospects for the future

By withdrawing the Funke Media Group from Austria, the landscape for the "Kronen Zeitung" will again become a very own playground for the Duand family. After almost 40 years in various possessions and constant internal conflicts, which were accompanied by a striving for profitability, the newspaper is now facing a realignment. The loss of the Funke Group as a co-partner could open up new opportunities to adapt the "Kronen Zeitung" to the current needs of the readers and perhaps pay more attention to content that are directly linked to Austrian society.

The "Kronen Zeitung", together with the "Kurier", which also operates under Mediaprint, will be observed closely in the near future. The biggest challenge for Christoph Duand will be to successfully position the newspaper in a rapidly changing media environment and to keep an eye on the well-known challenges of the boulevard press.