Prosiebensat.1 Faces Ad Revenue Decline Amid Tough Competition

WHO:

Deadline - ProSiebenSat.1, a German broadcaster controlled by the Berlusconi family’s MediaForEurope (MFE) group.

WHAT:

Deadline - ProSiebenSat.1 reported a 9% revenue decline in the first half of the year.

Hollywood Reporter - The company posted first-half revenue of €1.54 billion ($1.77 billion), down from the previous year.

Hollywood Reporter - Second-quarter revenue fell 8.5% to €768 million ($881 million).

Hollywood Reporter - Entertainment revenue decreased by 6% to €952 million ($1.09 billion).

Hollywood Reporter - Linear TV advertising revenue dropped by 9%.

Hollywood Reporter - Digital & Smart advertising revenue increased by 6%.

Hollywood Reporter - Advertising-supported streaming revenue at Joyn rose by 8%, while subscription revenue climbed by 20%.

Hollywood Reporter - First-half EBITDA rose by €152 million ($174 million) to €124 million ($142 million).

Hollywood Reporter - Programming expenses decreased to €404 million ($464 million) from €496 million ($570 million).

Hollywood Reporter - Personnel costs fell to €299 million ($343 million) from €416 million ($478 million).

Hollywood Reporter - ProSiebenSat.1 sold six non-core businesses since the start of the year.

WHERE:

Deadline - Germany, where ProSiebenSat.1 operates.

WHY:

Deadline - The revenue decline was attributed to disposals, a declining TV advertising market, and competition from rivals with World Cup broadcasting rights.

Hollywood Reporter - The advertising revenue was affected by a slowdown in the German TV market and a shift of ad spending to digital platforms.

HOW:

Hollywood Reporter - ProSiebenSat.1 implemented cost cuts and a broader restructuring to improve earnings.

Hollywood Reporter - The company is focusing on its German-speaking entertainment operations and developing a shared streaming technology platform with MediaForEurope.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 13:39 UTC)

ProSiebenSat.1, a German broadcaster controlled by the Berlusconi family’s MediaForEurope group, reported a 9% revenue decline in the first half of the year, with total revenue at €1.54 billion, down from the previous year. Despite the drop in linear TV advertising revenue, which fell by 9%, the company saw a rise in digital advertising revenue and subscription revenue from its streaming service Joyn. To address these challenges, ProSiebenSat.1 has implemented cost cuts and a restructuring plan, focusing on its German-speaking entertainment operations while developing a shared streaming technology platform with MediaForEurope.