HEUKING advises on the consolidation of WDR mediagroup and Bavaria Media’s distribution activities under the ARD Plus Umbrella
WDR mediagroup GmbH and Bavaria Media GmbH are consolidating their commercial exploitation activities for film and TV rights under the umbrella of ARD Plus GmbH. The agreement was signed on September 24, 2026, and the necessary antitrust approvals have already been obtained. The parties intend to complete the transaction by the end of 2026. A HEUKING team led by Dr. Marc Scheunemann acted as legal counsel for the transaction.
Bavaria Media GmbH is contributing its content distribution business and its own rights portfolio to ARD Plus GmbH via a purchase and contribution agreement. At the same time, Bavaria Media will become a shareholder in ARD Plus. WDR mediagroup remains the majority shareholder. Until now, ARD Plus GmbH has been a wholly owned subsidiary of WDR mediagroup GmbH, based in Cologne.
Going forward, ARD Plus GmbH will be represented in Cologne and Munich through its business divisions "ARD Plus Product & Channels" and "ARD Plus Distribution." Ingo Vandré will remain managing director.
By consolidating their distribution activities, the parties aim to strengthen ARD Plus's national and international competitiveness. Producers, rights holders, platforms, and licensing partners will gain a central distribution partner with a significantly larger content and rights portfolio. The streaming business, which includes OTT offerings, VoD, and FAST channels, will continue. In addition, national and international program distribution is to be expanded to become the company's second central pillar. ARD Plus also intends to increase its involvement in co-productions.
For Bavaria Film GmbH, the merger aligns with its strategy for the content sector. Bavaria Media will focus entirely on the film music publishing business going forward.
Legal Counsel:
HEUKING
Dr. Marc Scheunemann, LL.M. (University of London) (Lead, Corporate/M&A, Düsseldorf/Frankfurt)
Dominik Eickemeier (Media Law, Cologne)
Robert Clev, LL.M. (University of Glasgow) (Corporate/M&A, Düsseldorf)
Dr. Timo Piller (Corporate/M&A, Düsseldorf)
Counsel in antitrust law:
COMMEO Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB:
Dr. Johanna Kübler
Franziska Pricking
