Radio Broadcasting in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Frankfurt, Germany
Last Updated: February 2024
WZ J60.10DERevenue
€863.5m
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
€XX.Xm
Employees
10,052
Businesses
305
Wages
€XXX.Xm
Radio Broadcasting in Germany industry analysis
Radio broadcasters in Germany have had to contend with declining sales in recent years. External competition is causing the industry players to lose listeners. The decline in revenue has averaged 5.5% per year over the past five years. The economic environment has caused great uncertainty for many companies. As a result, they cut their advertising budgets, which is why private media advertising revenues have declined, although radio advertising revenues have continued to rise. The majority of advertising revenue is generated via FM; radio on band 2 of the ultra-short wave is the most frequently used transmission channel for radio. At the same time, the use of online audio offerings reached a new high last year. The greatest growth was recorded by internet radio, which is increasingly being listened to, particularly in the over-50 age group. However, music streaming remains the most widely used online audio format in the population as a whole.In the current year, industry sales are expected to fall by 4.8% compared to the previous year, totalling 863.5 million euros. The increasing use of the internet has a strong influence on the industry's sales development, which means that streaming services are increasingly being favoured over traditional radio. These offer the possibility of compiling audio programmes according to personal preferences, which makes them more attractive to many listeners. In addition, business success is threatened by numerous political activities, such as the Federal Ministry of Food's legislative initiative for a far-reaching ban on food advertising. On the other hand, the rising number of cars in use is having a positive effect on radio broadcasters, as this indicates an increase in the number of car radios.The expansion of the use of interactive online audio formats represents sales potential. TV sets are becoming radios and cars are becoming smart online devices, further increasing the relevance of internet radio and online audio formats. The increasing use of internet radio could compensate for part of the decline in sales. However, the audio market is also expected to be further opened up by the competing streaming services sector. As a result, it is to be expected that industry services will increasingly be replaced by online offerings from outside the industry, which is likely to have a dampening effect on the demand for radio advertising and the prices that can be achieved with it. For the period from 2024 to 2029, IBISWorld therefore anticipates an average annual decline in revenue of 1% to a total of EUR 822.1 million.
Trends and Insights
- Radio broadcasters are likely to further expand their internet offerings in future. This is intended to attract young listeners in particular, who do not yet have the financial means to pay for paid streaming services.
- Broadcasting rock and pop music generates high advertising revenues. However, due to the considerable licence fees for music, many industry players are increasingly placing word programmes from the information and service sector.
- The larger the area of a federal state, the more broadcasting locations are required to cover the entire audience due to the regionally limited activity of most radio broadcasters. Accordingly, Bavaria, as the largest federal state in terms of area, has the most industry locations.
- Non-linear music offerings such as streaming services are increasingly being favoured over traditional radio. Traffic radio is increasingly being replaced by navigation apps.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 5.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €863.5m in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Public broadcasters are largely financed by the licence fee paid by private households
- The dual broadcasting system describes a system of public and private broadcasters that share the broadcasting market. Public service broadcasting also includes radio.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Due to the increasing establishment of non-linear competition, radio is likely to continue to lose popularity
- Non-linear competitors such as Spotify and Amazon Music are likely to become increasingly established. They offer advantages such as the ability to access a variety of different musical and linguistic content and compile programmes in playlists. Less well-known artists are also covered, which appeals to the heterogeneous audience.
Biggest companies in the Radio Broadcasting in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
RTL Radio Deutschland GmbH | 19.0 | |
Radio Regenbogen Hörfunk in Baden GmbH & Co. KG | 16.4 | |
Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln | 6.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 7 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Rock and pop music, Word programmes Information and service and Classical music. Rock and pop music is the largest segment of the Radio Broadcasting in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Rock and pop music is particularly suitable for attracting as many listeners as possible
- The transmission of rock and pop music includes the broadcasting of music from these genres by radio stations and can be done either live or via audio recordings.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Telecommunications Equipment Retailers in Germany
- Streaming Services in Germany
Complementors
- Film & Television Programme Post-Production in Germany
- Television Programming & Broadcasting in Germany
- Search Engines in Germany
International industries
- Radio Broadcasting in the US
- Radio Broadcasting in Canada
- Radio Broadcasting in Australia
- Radio Broadcasting in New Zealand
- Radio Broadcasting in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Radio broadcasters deal with the compilation of audio contributions and their transmission via radio frequencies, cable, satellite and the internet. Data transmission is an integral part of radio broadcasting, while the recording of radio programmes is not part of the industry.
What's included in this industry?
Rock and pop musicWord programmes Information and serviceClassical musicWord programmes Culture and educationWord programmes EntertainmentCompanies
RTL Radio Deutschland GmbHRadio Regenbogen Hörfunk in Baden GmbH & Co. KGWestdeutscher Rundfunk KölnPurchase this report to view all 7 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ULTRASHORT WAVES (UKW)DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING (DAB+)5GIndustry Code
WZ 60.10 - Radio Broadcasting in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Radio broadcasters are likely to further expand their internet offerings in future. This is intended to attract young listeners in particular, who do not yet have the financi...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Broadcasting rock and pop music generates high advertising revenues. However, due to the considerable licence fees for music, many industry players are increasingly placing w...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The larger the area of a federal state, the more broadcasting locations are required to cover the entire audience due to the regionally limited activity of most radio broadcas...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Non-linear music offerings such as streaming services are increasingly being favoured over traditional radio. Traffic radio is increasingly being replaced by navigation apps.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
There are no major players in the industry. Although the state broadcasters are able to attract a large proportion of listeners, their income from the licence fee is regarded...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of RTL Radio Deutschland GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Radio Regenbogen Hörfunk in Baden GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 4 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for RTL Radio Deutschland GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Radio Regenbogen Hörfunk in Baden GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 4 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
An increasing number of registered cars favours the development of the industry. Radio is primarily consumed via the car radio. There is comparatively little competition from...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Increasing competition from streaming providers is putting pressure on the profitability of the industry. The shrinking audience is causing prices for advertising time to fal...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany in 2024?
The market size of the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany is €863.5m in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Radio Broadcasting in Germany industry in 2024?
There are 305 businesses in the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 5.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Radio Broadcasting market in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Radio Broadcasting market in Germany are RTL Radio Deutschland GmbH, Radio Regenbogen Hörfunk in Baden GmbH & Co. KG and Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln
What does the Radio Broadcasting in Germany include?
Rock and pop music and Word programmes Information and service are part of the Radio Broadcasting industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Radio Broadcasting in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in Germany is RTL Radio Deutschland GmbH.
How competitive is the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Radio Broadcasting industry in Germany.
