RTL Deutschland co-CEO Stephen Schäfer exits in management restructure

Stephen Schäfer

RTL Deutschland co-CEO Stephan Schäfer is exiting his role after less than a year amid a management restructure at the German media firm.

Schäfer took on the role in September 2021, alongside fellow co-CEO Matthias Dang, following the departure of former CEO Bernd Reichart. RTL Group said that Schäfer was departing on “on the best of terms” and will take on a consultant role at the firm.

Schäfer had been responsible for RTL Deutschland’s content and brands, including its journalistic offering. He was also CEO of publishing firm Gruner + Jahr (G+J), which was acquired by RTL Deutschland last year.

Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL Group and its parent company Bertelsmann, told local media that the new management structure was being organised to tackle “major challenges” faced by RTL. Rabe has taken on the role of RTL Deutschland CEO and chairman of its management board, but said that it is just “for the time being” and “certainly not for more than a year.”

The new-look leadership structure will see Dang will remain in his position and manage the company alongside CFO Alexander Glatz and Oliver Radtke, RTL Deutschland board member and G+J MD, who will be responsible for coordinating the RTL Deutschland and Gruner + Jahr merger.

RTL Group EVP of business development Andreas Fischer will meanwhile join the board as chief operating officer.

“I’m looking forward to working even more closely with my colleagues at RTL Germany in the future. There are exciting tasks and great challenges ahead of us, which we will tackle together,” said Rabe.

“I would like to thank Stephan Schäfer for his commitment to Gruner + Jahr and RTL Germany. He gave both companies numerous impetus. These include in particular the merger of RTL Germany and Gruner + Jahr, the repositioning of the RTL brand and the further development of the RTL program. I am pleased that he will continue to support us in an advisory capacity.”