Daily reach: online + print
392,703
1 in 3 in the Aachen region
Germany
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The most significant news event of 2025 in Germany:
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A major political issue in Germany that weighs heavily on the country: the AfD’s rise as the largest opposition party in the Bundestag has reshaped Germany’s political landscape, forcing mainstream parties to rethink their strategies. With greater visibility and influence, the right-wing party is bringing issues such as migration, security and Europe to the centre of public debate. The shift has intensified polarisation and raised concerns about Germany’s reliability within the EU, NATO and climate policy.
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Image: © German Press Agency (dpa)
Subscribers
64,365
37% digital
63% print
Daily reach: online
116,703
News brand
The new AZ: modernising the printed newspaper
In the second half of 2025, Mediahuis Aachen took an important step in the future of print by introducing a new, more convenient format for the Aachener Zeitung. With the launch of the “new AZ”, we sent a clear signal: the printed daily newspaper continues to evolve, in line with the successful format changes seen across other Mediahuis titles.
The transformation was significant. The newspaper moved from 24 portrait-format pages to 48 half-format pages, making it easier to read and handle. This change was informed by extensive market research and supported by a wide-ranging communication and marketing campaign. Reader surveys showed strong enthusiasm for a more compact edition, while the journalistic core of the paper remains unchanged.
The new format now serves the entire distribution area through three local editions for the Aachen city region, the Düren district and the Heinsberg district. At the same time, bundling production has helped reduce printing costs, including efficiencies in plate production and machine start-up.
Alongside the format change, Mediahuis Aachen also strengthened its brand identity. The printed newspaper is now consistently titled Aachener Zeitung, matching the name used across digital platforms. Early reader feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, confirming the success of this modernisation.
© Aachener Zeitung/Andreas Steindl - The new AZ
Five years of Freundeskreis: journalism beyond the page
The Aachener Zeitung “Freundeskreis “ (Friends’ Circle) celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2025. At the time of that milestone, more than 16,600 readers were part of the steadily growing community, which facilitates proximity, exchange and special experiences related to journalism at the newspaper. By February 2026, membership had risen to around 18,000 members.
The Friends’ Circle fosters close connections between the editorial team and readers. At its heart are personal encounters – from events and editorial forums to concerts and exclusive guided tours. These gatherings create genuine dialogue and offer new ways to experience the stories and topics covered in the newspaper. Reflecting the diversity of the region, the programme invites members to discover new perspectives and share experiences.
A highlight of the initiative are the AZ forums, which explore current issues in a live setting. They offer space for exchange, background insights and open exchange, in the spirit of modern, accessible journalism.
Five years on, the Freundeskreis has become an integral part of the Aachener Zeitung. The dedicated team continues to develop the programme with new ideas and formats, ensuring the community remains vibrant and engaging. Membership is open to all subscribers free of charge, with a simple one-time registration.
20,000 subscribers: a digital milestone
For years, “digital first” has been more than a slogan at the Aachener Zeitung. The newsroom has consistently shaped its digital journalism around the needs of its users without compromising on editorial standards. “We do this in full awareness of our journalistic standards,” says editor-in-chief Thomas Thelen. “In 2025, we further aligned our work with the signature journalism framework introduced across Mediahuis.”
At the start of 2025, the Aachener Zeitung reached 20,000 purely digital subscribers (web and e-paper) – a milestone celebrated with the entire team. By the end of the year, this number had grown to more than 23,500 digital subscribers.
This achievement reflects a clear commitment to digital journalism and strong teamwork across the organisation. It demonstrates the relevance of the Aachener Zeitung in the region and confirms that its digital offering resonates with readers. Customer focus remains central: ongoing developments and innovations are guided by the needs and expectations of the readers.
Digital growth at Mediahuis Aachen continues, with the entire organisation working to refine its offerings and further expand its reach.
