Der Spiegel

Der Spiegel (German for "The Mirror") is Germany's biggest and most influential weekly magazine, published in Hamburg, with a circulation of around one million per week.

Overview

The first edition of the Spiegel magazine was published in Hanover on 4 January 1947, a Saturday. Before that, there had been a short prelude under the name Diese Woche (This Week), which ran for a few issues starting in November 1946 and was initiated and sponsored by the British occupational administration. After clashes with the British, the magazine was handed over to the principal German editor, Rudolf Augstein, and was renamed to Der Spiegel. From the first edition in January 1947, Augstein held the position of an editor, which he retained right up until his death on 7 November 2002, and of the editor-in-chief.

Related Topics:
Hanover - 4 January - 1947 - November - 1946 - Rudolf Augstein - 7 November - 2002

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The magazine was owned by Augstein and John Jahr after 1950; Jahr's share was taken over by Richard Gruner in 1962. In 1969, Augstein bought out Gruner for DM 42 million and became the sole owner; in 1971, the Gruner + Jahr company bought back a 25% share. In 1974, Augstein restructured the company to make the employees shareholders. Every employee who works at the magazine for more than three years is offered the opportunity to become an associate and participate in the management of the company as well as in the profits.

Related Topics:
1950 - 1962 - 1969 - DM - 1971 - Gruner + Jahr - 1974

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Since 1952, Der Spiegel has been residing in Hamburg. It occupies its own building in the old town.

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Der Spiegel is similar in style and presentation to American newsmagazines such as Time or Newsweek, but its long, in-depth articles are more comparable to the Atlantic Monthly or the British Economist. It is known in Germany for its distinctive, academic writing style and its incredible heft. A typical issue is over 200 pages, despite being a weekly and even while retaining a content to advertising ratio of 2:1.

Related Topics:
Time - Newsweek - Atlantic Monthly - Economist

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