History
Our tradition stretches back a long way. In the late 19th century, several influential newspapers emerged in Flanders. In 1879 Het Algemeen Belang der Provincie Limburg was founded, the predecessor of Het Belang van Limburg, and in 1891 Gazet van Antwerpen appeared as a fast‑growing Catholic daily. De Standaard followed in 1918, as a Flemish Catholic newspaper, and in 1927 Het Nieuwsblad was launched with a more popular profile. Following the economic crisis that led to the bankruptcy of the Standaard Group, André Leysen and a number of Flemish entrepreneurs founded the Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij (VUM) in 1976 and acquired De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad and De Gentenaar from the bankruptcy estate. In the decades that followed, the focus shifted towards regional strength and digital growth. This strategy was developed within the Regionale Uitgeversgroep, which was renamed Concentra Media in 2003. In 2006, VUM changed its name to Corelio, before Concentra Media and Corelio joined forces in 2014.
Mediahuis was founded in 2014 on these solid historical foundations.
That's the moment our story as an international media group began.
Launch of youth news platform SPILNEWS
Mediahuis launches SPILNEWS, a new journalistic platform that creates news for and by young people.
SPILNEWS aims to tackle news poverty among 15‑ to 25‑year‑olds through independent journalism on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts and its own news platform.
The initiative responds to research showing that many young people feel insufficiently informed and underrepresented by existing news media.
Acquisition of DGN Group
Mediahuis acquires DGN Group, a leading player in the Dutch online comparison market.
Through platforms such as ZorgKiezer, EnergieKiezer and DeGoedkoopsteNotaris, DGN helps millions of consumers make informed financial decisions each year.
The acquisition strengthens Mediahuis’s position in online comparison services and supports its strategy to guide consumers independently and reliably in important choices.
Climate targets validated by the SBTi
Mediahuis’s science‑based climate targets are officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The validation confirms our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
With approved short‑ and long‑term targets, Mediahuis underlines its ambition to achieve a sustainable, climate‑friendly future.
Mediahuis becomes sole owner of Medienhaus Aachen
In early 2022, Mediahuis acquired a 70% stake in Medienhaus Aachen GmbH from the founding families of the Aachener Zeitung.
After two years of close collaboration, Mediahuis acquired the remaining 30% from Rheinische Post Mediengruppe, becoming the sole owner.
The acquisition accelerates the publisher’s digital transformation and underscores Mediahuis’s growth strategy in the German market, as well as its confidence in a sustainable future for Medienhaus Aachen.
Acquisition of RouteYou
Mediahuis acquires the Belgian company RouteYou, a pioneer in recreational cycling and walking navigation.
Founded in 2005, the platform inspires millions of users to plan and share routes.
This acquisition sees Mediahuis strengthen its offering in outdoor experiences, content, and digital services.
Acquisition of Euractiv Media Network
Mediahuis acquires the pan-European Euractiv Media Network. Euractiv reports on European Union policy: agri-food, economy, energy and environment, global Europe, health, politics, technology and transport. Journalists in Brussels, Paris and Berlin, complemented by media network partners across Europe, provide Euractiv news content in 13 languages.
Acquisition of RadioCorp and Radio Veronica
Mediahuis acquires the 100% shareholding of RadioCorp, owner of radio stations 100% NL, SLAM! and SUNLITE. The group then further expands its radio portfolio in the Netherlands by acquiring Radio Veronica from Talpa Network.
Acquisition of Switcher
Mediahuis acquires the Irish platform Switcher.ie, a leading price comparison site for energy, telecoms, loans and mortgages.
Acquisition of Carzone.ie
Mediahuis acquires Ireland’s Carzone.ie, the leading platform for buying and selling new and used cars in Ireland.
Acquisition of Aachener Verlagsgesellschaft
Mediahuis acquires the German Aachener Verlagsgesellschaft (AVG) and becomes the main shareholder of its subsidiary Medienhaus Aachen, publisher of the Aachener Zeitung.
Acquisition of NDC mediagroep
Mediahuis acquires NDC mediagroep (later renamed Mediahuis Noord) in North Holland, publisher of Dagblad van het Noorden, Leeuwarder Courant, Friesch Dagblad and a dozen regional publications.
Acquisition of Cartell.ie
Via Independent News & Media, Mediahuis acquires Cartell.ie in Ireland. The company is the market leader in data for the automotive sector.
Acquisition of Saint-Paul Luxembourg
Mediahuis acquires Saint-Paul Luxembourg (later renamed Mediahuis Luxembourg), the largest media group in the country and the publisher of titles including the quality Luxemburger Wort.
Partnership with Mather Economics
Mediahuis declares its intention to expand its activities outside the world of publishing and enters a strategic partnership with the American consultancy bureau Mather Economics. This participation sees the group enter the media technology market.
Acquisition of Independent News & Media
Mediahuis acquires the Irish media group Independent News & Media (later renamed Mediahuis Ireland), expanding its geographic scope. INM is the publisher of a range of newspapers and magazines in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the Irish Independent, The Herald and the Belfast Telegraph.
Founding of NRJ
Mediahuis is one of the founders of NRJ, a new Flemish radio station for a young and urban audience. The move underlines the group's ambitions in the radio market.
Acquisition of Telegraaf Media Groep
Mediahuis acquires Telegraaf Media Groep (later renamed Mediahuis Nederland). With this acquisition and with the entry of VP Exploitatie as the third shareholder, Mediahuis confirms its position as a leading multimedia group in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Acquisition of Media Groep Limburg
Media Groep Limburg (later renamed Mediahuis Limburg), publisher of titles including De Limburger, becomes part of the Mediahuis group. The transaction further strengthens Mediahuis’s market position in the Netherlands.
Acquisition of NRC Media Holding
Mediahuis acquires NRC Media Holding (later renamed Mediahuis NRC) in the Netherlands, publisher of titles including NRC Handelsblad and nrc.next. This acquisition allows Mediahuis to establish a foothold in the Netherlands.
Mediahuis is founded
Mediahuis is founded as a joint venture by Corelio and Concentra, two businesses with a rich history in the Flemish and Belgian media. The group’s portfolio includes four leading daily newspapers, important digital marketplaces, printing presses, a radio station and regional TV channels.