Soft ad market, economic challenges blamed for falling revenues at Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1

Revenues fell 11% year-on-year for the first nine months of 2026 at Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1, with the media group revising its forecast to predict a decline in group revenues for the full year.

Bob Rajan

The executive board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media published the key financial statistics in an evaluation of preliminary figures for the first three quarters of the year.

Group revenues stand at €2.24bn (US$2.51bn), down 11% from the previous year. On an organic basis, revenues declined by 3%. Bosses said the slump reflects “the continued challenging economic environment including, in particular, the persistently subdued demand in the TV advertising market.”

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) rose by €159m to €198m on the back of a sharp decline in costs.

The Munich-based company said the group has delivered a strong increase in profitability so far in 2026. Programming expenses decreased by €126m to €588m, “reflecting the consistent focus on efficiently using and monetising programming content across platforms.”

Despite those positive signs, ProSiebenSat.1 has revised its forecast for organic group revenues, now expecting a “slight decline” after previously anticipating slight growth.

The group will publish its full financial report for the third quarter and first nine months of 2026 on November 12.

ProSiebenSat.1 Media group chief financial officer Bob Rajan said: “We have significantly increased our profitability, kept our leverage ratio within the target range and are on track to achieve our EBITDA growth outlook for 2026.

“This proves our cost measures are working. At the same time, the market environment remains challenging and is weighing on our revenue development. We therefore consistently focus on the factors that are within our control.

“With a sustainably lean cost base and disciplined cash management, we are laying the groundwork for further profitable growth.”