5:35 pm - March 2, 2026
- Mediahuis reports marginal revenue growth of 2% in 2025, with a strategic shift from print to digital
- The company’s radio and online marketplace divisions experience notable expansion
- Stronger cash position enables further digital investments and cross-border acquisitions across Europe
Mediahuis, the Belgium-based publisher which also has titles in the Netherland, Germany and Ireland, posted another year of limited underlying growth in 2025 as it continued shifting from print to digital and expanding into marketplaces and radio.
Consolidated revenue rose 2% to €1.26 billion, extending a pattern of subdued top-line growth after the surge during the pandemic. Operating profit reached €152 million while underlying EBITDA was broadly unchanged.
The group said flat headline figures masked countervailing pressures. Advertising weakened and newspaper distribution costs rose sharply. These were offset by subscription price increases and cost controls, including the closure of its Amsterdam printing plant and consolidation of presses in Leeuwarden and Paal-Beringen.
Growth came largely from outside core news operations. Marketplaces and radio both expanded. Mediahuis said its Dutch radio arm was the fastest-growing national player, with market share among 20–59 year-olds rising to 11.9%.
The company has assembled a portfolio of classified and comparison services. Automotive brands such as Autotrack and Gaspedaal sit within joint ventures, while Carzone and Switcher operate in Ireland and Zimmo in Belgium. Last year Mediahuis acquired DGN Group, owner of comparison sites including ZorgKiezer and EnergieKiezer. The deal, which the company said is subject to regulatory approval in the Netherlands, strengthens its position in online comparison markets.
Net profit rose to €157 million from €66 million in 2024, largely due to disposals. Mediahuis sold a 49% stake in AutomotiveMediaVentions, its vehicle marketplace joint venture. It also made selective acquisitions and minority investments in technology platforms, including German HR tech company WorkerHero and Sweden’s career platform Impactpool, signalling an effort to broaden digital revenue beyond journalism.
Digital subscriptions increased 8% in 2025. Around 60% of subscribers now access news through digital products. Total subscribers, print and digital combined, remained stable at about 1.8 million. Digital growth has continued to offset declines in print circulation and advertising since the pandemic peak.
The balance sheet strengthened. Mediahuis ended the year with net cash of €84 million, compared with net debt of €72 million a year earlier. The company attributed the improvement to disposal proceeds, solid operating cash flow and restrained capital spending, giving it room for further digital investment and cross-border acquisitions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1587556/mediahuis-heeft-weer-een-jaar-van-stilstand-achter-de-rug – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.mediahuis.com/en/mediahuis-stays-the-course-digital-transition-drives-stable-results-in-2024/ – In 2024, Mediahuis reported a consolidated revenue of €1.236 billion, matching the previous year, and an operating result of €151 million. The growth in digital subscriptions offset the decline in print, with over half of subscribers now reading digitally. The company also saw increased advertising revenue from its radio activities in the Netherlands and solid growth in its marketplaces segment, including platforms like Carzone and Switcher in Ireland, Gaspedaal in the Netherlands, and Zimmo in Belgium. Additionally, Mediahuis invested in the German HR tech platform WorkerHero and the Swedish career platform Impactpool. The planned acquisition of DGN Group, the parent company of comparison platforms like ZorgKiezer, is subject to approval by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
- https://www.mediahuis.com/en/mediahuis-shows-resilience-and-posts-strong-results-despite-difficult-economic-context/ – Despite economic uncertainties, Mediahuis demonstrated resilience in 2022, achieving a consolidated turnover of €1.2 billion, partly due to the acquisition of the German Aachener Verlagsgesellschaft. The company maintained a total of approximately 1.8 million subscribers, with digital subscriptions growing by 13% and print subscriptions declining by 11%. Advertising revenue saw a slight increase, indicating a recovery post-COVID. However, rising energy and paper costs, along with distribution challenges in the Dutch and German markets, negatively impacted the group’s final result. Nevertheless, Mediahuis managed to absorb these effects, achieving an operational result of €155.7 million and a net result of €65.3 million.
- https://www.mediahuis.com/en/mediahuis-stays-the-course-digital-transition-drives-stable-results-in-2024/ – In 2024, Mediahuis reported a consolidated revenue of €1.236 billion, matching the previous year, and an operating result of €151 million. The growth in digital subscriptions offset the decline in print, with over half of subscribers now reading digitally. The company also saw increased advertising revenue from its radio activities in the Netherlands and solid growth in its marketplaces segment, including platforms like Carzone and Switcher in Ireland, Gaspedaal in the Netherlands, and Zimmo in Belgium. Additionally, Mediahuis invested in the German HR tech platform WorkerHero and the Swedish career platform Impactpool. The planned acquisition of DGN Group, the parent company of comparison platforms like ZorgKiezer, is subject to approval by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
- https://www.mediahuis.com/en/mediahuis-shows-resilience-and-posts-strong-results-despite-difficult-economic-context/ – Despite economic uncertainties, Mediahuis demonstrated resilience in 2022, achieving a consolidated turnover of €1.2 billion, partly due to the acquisition of the German Aachener Verlagsgesellschaft. The company maintained a total of approximately 1.8 million subscribers, with digital subscriptions growing by 13% and print subscriptions declining by 11%. Advertising revenue saw a slight increase, indicating a recovery post-COVID. However, rising energy and paper costs, along with distribution challenges in the Dutch and German markets, negatively impacted the group’s final result. Nevertheless, Mediahuis managed to absorb these effects, achieving an operational result of €155.7 million and a net result of €65.3 million.
- https://www.mediahuis.com/en/mediahuis-stays-the-course-digital-transition-drives-stable-results-in-2024/ – In 2024, Mediahuis reported a consolidated revenue of €1.236 billion, matching the previous year, and an operating result of €151 million. The growth in digital subscriptions offset the decline in print, with over half of subscribers now reading digitally. The company also saw increased advertising revenue from its radio activities in the Netherlands and solid growth in its marketplaces segment, including platforms like Carzone and Switcher in Ireland, Gaspedaal in the Netherlands, and Zimmo in Belgium. Additionally, Mediahuis invested in the German HR tech platform WorkerHero and the Swedish career platform Impactpool. The planned acquisition of DGN Group, the parent company of comparison platforms like ZorgKiezer, is subject to approval by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
- https://www.mediahuis.com/en/mediahuis-shows-resilience-and-posts-strong-results-despite-difficult-economic-context/ – Despite economic uncertainties, Mediahuis demonstrated resilience in 2022, achieving a consolidated turnover of €1.2 billion, partly due to the acquisition of the German Aachener Verlagsgesellschaft. The company maintained a total of approximately 1.8 million subscribers, with digital subscriptions growing by 13% and print subscriptions declining by 11%. Advertising revenue saw a slight increase, indicating a recovery post-COVID. However, rising energy and paper costs, along with distribution challenges in the Dutch and German markets, negatively impacted the group’s final result. Nevertheless, Mediahuis managed to absorb these effects, achieving an operational result of €155.7 million and a net result of €65.3 million.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article presents recent financial data for Mediahuis, including consolidated revenue of €1.236 billion and operating profit of €151 million for 2024. ([mediahuis.com](https://www.mediahuis.com/en/mediahuis-stays-the-course-digital-transition-drives-stable-results-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) This information aligns with Mediahuis’ official 2024 financial report, indicating freshness. However, the article’s publication date is not specified, so the exact timing of the report cannot be confirmed.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from CEO Gert Ysebaert and CFO Kristiaan De Beukelaer. ([mediahuis.com](https://www.mediahuis.com/en/mediahuis-stays-the-course-digital-transition-drives-stable-results-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) A search for these quotes reveals no exact matches in other sources, suggesting originality. However, without independent verification, the authenticity of these quotes cannot be fully confirmed.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The article originates from Mediahuis’ official website, which is a reputable source for company information. However, as the content is self-reported, it may lack independent verification, potentially introducing bias.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The reported financial figures are consistent with Mediahuis’ previous performance and industry trends. The company’s strategic focus on digital transition and expansion into marketplaces and radio aligns with its stated objectives. However, the absence of external verification raises some concerns about the accuracy of the reported figures.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents Mediahuis’ financial performance and strategic initiatives, with figures consistent with previous reports. However, the reliance on self-reported data without independent verification introduces potential biases and accuracy concerns. The absence of external sources and the lack of specific publication dates further diminish the credibility of the content. Therefore, the overall assessment is a FAIL with MEDIUM confidence.
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