Industry

Following approval from the European Commission for RTL Deutschland GmbH’s acquisition of Sky German Holdings GmbH (Sky DACH), the company has also announced significant changes to its Management Board, signalling the beginning of a new phase in the integration process. The reshaped leadership team brings together executives from both RTL and Sky, underlining the group’s intention to combine the two businesses quickly and efficiently.

As previously announced, Stephan Schmitter will lead the combined company as Chief Executive Officer. Upon completion of the transaction, expected on 1 June 2026, two senior executives from Sky Deutschland will join the board. Elke Walthelm, currently Chief Operating Officer of Sky Deutschland, will become Chief Human Resources Officer, taking responsibility for People & Culture and playing a central role in the merger integration. Michael Radelsberger, currently Managing Director of Sky Austria and Sky Media, will assume the position of Chief Consumer Officer, overseeing the pay business with around 12.3 million subscribers across RTL+, Sky and WOW.

In addition, Julia Kloke, currently CFO of Bertelsmann subsidiary Riverty, will join RTL Deutschland as Chief Financial Officer from 1 May 2026.
Current RTL Deutschland executives Ingrid Heisserer and Carsten Schwecke will leave the company on amicable terms. Meanwhile, Frank Vogel, Managing Director of Ad Alliance, will report directly to CEO Stephan Schmitter.
The new Management Board of RTL Deutschland will consist of Stephan Schmitter (CEO), Andreas Fischer (COO), Julia Kloke (CFO), Inga Leschek (Chief Content Officer), Max Orgonyi (Chief Transformation & AI Officer), Michael Radelsberger (Chief Consumer Officer), and Elke Walthelm (Chief Human Resources Officer).