Bild

Bild, often called Bild-Zeitung, is Germany's most widely read newspaper, published by Axel Springer SE. It appears Monday through Saturday, while its Sunday counterpart, Bild am Sonntag, operates with a distinct editorial team and style. Despite being a tabloid in content, it is printed on broadsheet pages. With the largest circulation in Europe and the sixteenth-largest globally, Bild wields significant influence over German politics, often criticized for its blend of gossip, sensational headlines, and inflammatory language. Its journalistic approach is frequently compared to that of the British tabloid The Sun. Aligned with Axel Springer's editorial stance, Bild champions liberal democracy, supports Israel, advocates for NATO, and promotes capitalism.

Founded in 1952 by Axel Springer, the newspaper was modeled on the British tabloid The Daily Mirror. It launched as a daily newspaper appearing Monday through Saturday, with Bild am Sonntag following later under separate editorial leadership. The parent company, Axel Springer SE, was established in 1946 by Axel Springer and his father Hinrich, initially publishing a monthly magazine about books before expanding into other media. Today, the company is controlled by Springer's widow Friede, who holds a majority of shares.

Bild has undergone a significant digital transformation. Its freemium model, BILDplus, launched in 2013 and has grown steadily, reaching nearly 500,000 digital subscribers by 2020. The brand's website is Germany's biggest news site with 24 million monthly users. Across all platforms, Bild reaches more than 38 million people in Germany every month. In October 2023, the brand launched a new identity campaign called BILD remains BILD, spanning print, digital, social media, OOH, radio, TV, and cinema. The campaign featured an AI-generated speech by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and emphasized the brand's core promise: fighting for readers, taking a clear stance, and being diverse, entertaining, and fun. [edit]