# List of media companies and publishers in North Rhine-Westphalia

Tamtam tracks 33 media companies and publishers headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia. This list ranks all of them by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, WDR and Ströer SE & Co. KGaA. Their median headcount is 380. Half of them were founded in 1990 or later. The most common headquarters are Cologne (14), Düsseldorf (6) and Bonn (4).

This list features a selection of significant media companies and publishers in North Rhine-Westphalia. These organizations primarily operate in media production, broadcasting, publishing, and advertising. Most are large established groups, including global players and major national broadcasters.

Key players include Bertelsmann, a global media and services company; WDR, a leading German media company offering diverse programs; Ströer, a major media house in outdoor advertising and digital media; and FUNKE, a large media group focused on journalism across print and digital platforms. A notable pattern is the concentration of broadcast media production and distribution companies, with several headquartered in Cologne.

🇩🇪 North Rhine-Westphalia · 33 companies · Updated Nov 14, 2026

| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bertelsmann-se-and-co-kgaa) (wonderl.ink)<br>A global media, services, and education company with diverse subsidiaries, generating billions in revenue and striving for climate neutrality by 2030 | Media Production | 🇩🇪 Gütersloh | 20,799 |  |
| 2 | [WDR](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/wdr) (www1.wdr.de)<br>A leading media company in Germany, the Westdeutsche Rundfunk (WDR) offers diverse, high-quality programs to contribute to media diversity and employs a diverse workforce | Broadcast Media Production and Distribution | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 4,466 | 1956 |
| 3 | [Ströer SE & Co. KGaA](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/stroer-se-and-co-kgaa) (stroeer.de)<br>Leading German media house, offering outdoor advertising, digital media, dialog marketing, e-commerce, and Data as a Service solutions, reaching millions of users. | Advertising Services | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 3,924 | 1990 |
| 4 | [Deutsche Welle](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/deutsche-welle) (dw.com)<br>Provides unbiased news and information in 32 languages worldwide, focusing on human rights, democracy, health, and technology. | Broadcast Media Production and Distribution | 🇩🇪 Bonn | 3,244 |  |
| 5 | [FUNKE](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/funke) (funkemedien.de)<br>A major media group in Germany with diverse product offerings and a focus on delivering top-notch journalism through print, digital, and online platforms | Book and Periodical Publishing | 🇩🇪 Essen | 2,300 |  |
| 6 | [Civil Engineers World](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/civil-engineers-world) (vincivilworld.com)<br>Vincivilworld provides updated and appealing information on civil engineering, construction, architecture, and related topics, led by experienced civil engineer Vinod Gopinath | Civil Engineering | 🇩🇪 New Delhi | 1,849 | 2019 |
| 7 | [Handelsblatt](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/handelsblatt) (handelsblatt.com)<br>Leading German financial and economic newspaper with a team of 200 journalists offering exclusive and up-to-date coverage on national and global issues | Newspaper Publishing | 🇩🇪 Düsseldorf | 659 | 1946 |
| 8 | [Jugendhilfe -](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/jugendhilfe) (jugendhilfeportal.de)<br>A civic & social organization in Bonn, Germany, offering youth welfare services and support within the community | Civic and Social Organizations | 🇩🇪 Bonn | 632 |  |
| 9 | [tonies®](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/tonies) (tonies.com)<br>world's largest interactive audio platform for children, offering wireless, screen-free Tonieboxes and diverse multilingual Tonies figurines | Technology, Information and Media | 🇩🇪 Düsseldorf | 611 | 2014 |
| 10 | [Deutschlandradio](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/deutschlandradio) (deutschlandradio.de)<br>The company produces three nationwide radio programs in Germany, contributing to diversity in opinions and media as part of public broadcasting | Broadcast Media Production and Distribution | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 526 | 1994 |
| 11 | [ESL](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/esl) (eslfaceitgroup.com)<br>The company creates a world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and be recognized as somebody important | Computer Games | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 494 | 2000 |
| 12 | [Ad Alliance](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ad-alliance) (ad-alliance.de)<br>Ad Alliance is the marketing unit of RTL Germany, offering cross-media brand communication and innovative advertising solutions across various media platforms | Broadcast Media Production and Distribution | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 462 |  |
| 13 | [journalist](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/journalist) (journalist.de)<br>A leading magazine in Germany for journalists across all media fields, focusing on improving journalism through print, online, and social media | Newspaper Publishing | 🇩🇪 Bonn | 461 | 1951 |
| 14 | [FC Schalke 04](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/fc-schalke-04) (schalke04.de)<br>A successful and well-known football club in Germany focused on football, youth player training, stadium marketing, and strategic expansion in various fields | Spectator Sports | 🇩🇪 Gelsenkirchen | 401 |  |
| 15 | [Wolters Kluwer Deutschland](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/wolters-kluwer-deutschland) (wolterskluwer.com)<br>A leading provider of specialized information, software, and services in law, business, and taxes in Germany, helping customers achieve better results and increased productivity | Information Services | 🇩🇪 Hürth | 401 |  |
| 16 | [Bertelsmann Stiftung](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bertelsmann-stiftung) (bertelsmann-stiftung.de)<br>A forward-thinking operating foundation focusing on identifying social challenges, developing solutions, and offering policy consultancy on EU and neighboring regions | Think Tanks | 🇩🇪 Gütersloh | 398 | 1977 |
| 17 | [Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/stroer-media-deutschland-gmbh) (stroeer.de)<br>Operates thousands of websites and 300,000 outdoor advertising spaces, offering digital publishing, content, direct media, and dialog marketing solutions. | Advertising Services | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 380 |  |
| 18 | [filmpool entertainment GmbH](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/filmpool-entertainment-gmbh) (filmpool-entertainment.de)<br>A leading TV content producer in Germany and internationally, creating over 1500 hours of programming yearly, with 9 daily formats on air in 2017 | Media Production | 🇩🇪 Hürth | 379 | 1974 |
| 19 | [Handelsblatt Media Group](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/handelsblatt-media-group) (handelsblattgroup.com)<br>A publishing company focused on providing high-quality, up-to-date information through various media platforms, including newspapers, magazines, and internet portals | Book and Periodical Publishing | 🇩🇪 Düsseldorf | 372 | 1946 |
| 20 | [VNR Group](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/vnr-group) (vnrgroup.de)<br>A family-founded media company offering over 500 B2B and B2C products to help individuals and businesses succeed through various platforms and solutions | Book and Periodical Publishing | 🇩🇪 Bonn | 319 | 1975 |
| 21 | [Bundesanzeiger Verlag GmbH](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bundesanzeiger-verlag-gmbh) (bundesanzeiger-verlag.de)<br>The company provides products and services for public announcements, including managing the Transparency Register and publishing over 1 million annual financial statements | Financial Services | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 318 | 1949 |
| 22 | [DocCheck](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/doccheck) (doccheck.com)<br>A platform for healthcare professionals in Europe to connect, learn, access medical resources, find job opportunities, and purchase medical products and knowledge | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 302 | 1990 |
| 23 | [ESL FACEIT Group - EFG](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/esl-faceit-group-efg-cologne) (eslfaceitgroup.com)<br>The company helps brands engage global youth audiences through esports, creating communities beyond gameplay and uniting players, fans, and creators | Computer Games | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 300 |  |
| 24 | [Rheinische Post Mediengruppe](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/rheinische-post-mediengruppe) (rheinischepostmediengruppe.de)<br>Leading German regional media group with publications, online portals, and radio stations, reaching millions across Germany with news and content. | Broadcast Media Production and Distribution | 🇩🇪 Düsseldorf | 263 | 1946 |
| 25 | [NWB Verlag GmbH & Co. KG](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/nwb-verlag-gmbh-and-co-kg) (nwb.de)<br>This family-owned company provides practical and easy-to-understand information for professionals in tax, accounting, auditing, and other fields to achieve professional success | Book and Periodical Publishing | 🇩🇪 Herne | 245 | 1947 |
| 26 | [QVC Germany](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/qvc-germany) (qvc.de)<br>A leading German digital retailer offering a diverse range of products and engaging shopping experiences through TV channels, online platforms, and social media | Retail | 🇩🇪 Düsseldorf | 238 | 1996 |
| 27 | [Lensing Media](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/lensing-media) (lensingmedia.de)<br>A media company with strong partners, Lensing Media connects and informs the region through newspapers, online platforms, digital agencies, and broadcasting | Media Production | 🇩🇪 Dortmund | 229 |  |
| 28 | [ITV Studios Germany GmbH](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/itv-studios-germany-gmbh) (itvstudios.de)<br>A German TV production company, part of ITV plc, specializing in a range of formats including entertainment, reality, and fiction shows | Media Production | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 185 | 1999 |
| 29 | [WirtschaftsWoche](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/wirtschaftswoche) (wiwo.de)<br>Leading German business magazine providing analysis on politics, world economy, companies, technology, management, and investing for decision-makers with over a million readers | Newspaper Publishing | 🇩🇪 Düsseldorf | 183 | 1926 |
| 30 | [Greator GmbH](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/greator-gmbh) (greator.com)<br>The company helps individuals lead happy, successful, and fulfilled lives through personal development support, coaching services, personality tests, and special events | Higher Education | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 131 | 2012 |
| 31 | [Medienmagazin DWDL.de](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/medienmagazin-dwdl-de) (dwdl.de)<br>One of Europe's largest non-English TV trade publications, providing daily news, interviews, analysis, and background on television in Germany and globally | Entertainment Providers | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 23 | 2001 |
| 32 | [Healing Hotels of the World](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/healing-hotels-of-the-world) (healinghotelsoftheworld.com)<br>A global hospitality brand focusing on holistic healing excellence, offering consulting, curated hotel collections, holistic wellness audits, education, and events | Hospitality | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 7 | 2007 |
| 33 | [Finanzen100](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/finanzen100) (finanzen100.de)<br>A leading financial portal in Germany, offering relevant news, top services, and insightful analyses with a focus on developing mobile solutions for users | Financial Services | 🇩🇪 Cologne | 3 | 2009 |

## How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 14, 2026.

## More company lists in North Rhine-Westphalia

- [The largest companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/largest-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (2,982)
- [Multinational companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/multinational-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (995)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (455)
- [Manufacturers in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/manufacturers-north-rhine-westphalia) (425)
- [Family-owned companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/family-owned-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (335)
- [Retail chains in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-chains-north-rhine-westphalia) (311)
- [Hardware manufacturers in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hardware-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (284)
- [Critical infrastructure operators in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/critical-infrastructure-operators-north-rhine-westphalia) (272)
- [Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/transportation-logistics-supply-chain-and-storage-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (267)
- [Financial services firms in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-firms-north-rhine-westphalia) (238)
- [Software Development companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/software-development-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (217)
- [SaaS companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/saas-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (201)
- [Corporate groups and holding companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/holding-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (189)
- [Companies with a mobile app in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/companies-with-mobile-app-north-rhine-westphalia) (175)
- [IT Services and IT Consulting companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-and-it-consulting-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (171)
- [Public sector organisations in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/public-sector-organisations-north-rhine-westphalia) (160)
- [Logistics companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/logistics-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (148)
- [Professional services firms in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/professional-services-firms-north-rhine-westphalia) (147)
- [IT services companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (146)
- [Financial Services companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (126)
- [Consulting firms in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/consulting-firms-north-rhine-westphalia) (112)
- [E-commerce companies in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/ecommerce-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (110)
- [Automotive manufacturers and suppliers in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/automotive-companies-north-rhine-westphalia) (103)
- [Distributors and wholesalers in North Rhine-Westphalia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/distributors-and-wholesalers-north-rhine-westphalia) (103)

## The same list elsewhere in Germany

- [Media companies and publishers in Germany](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/media-companies-germany) (151)
- [Media companies and publishers in Bavaria](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/media-companies-bavaria) (33)
- [Media companies and publishers in Berlin](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/media-companies-berlin) (36)

## The same list elsewhere

- [Media companies and publishers in the world](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/media-companies-in-the-world) (4,316)
- [Media companies and publishers in Europe](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/media-companies-in-europe) (1,932)

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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/media-companies-north-rhine-westphalia