GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1992
Ownership
n-tv, Germany's pioneer rolling-news channel, launched in 1992 and is part of RTL Deutschland (Cologne), which also operates RTL Television, VOX and the RTL+ streaming service. RTL Deutschland sits within the Luxembourg-listed RTL Group, the broadcasting division of the German family-controlled conglomerate Bertelsmann (Gütersloh), which holds roughly 75% of RTL Group. Ultimate control therefore runs to the Mohn family and the Bertelsmann Stiftung.
Funding
n-tv is financed commercially through advertising and carriage revenues within RTL Deutschland, with no state or licence-fee funding.
Affiliation & stance
As a commercial private broadcaster owned through RTL Group/Bertelsmann with no party or state control, n-tv is INDEPENDENT. Its newsroom maintains a mainstream, broadly centrist editorial line, matching the site's CENTER lean and INDEPENDENT type.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 820
66/100
Factual
61/100
Objective
1012
Articles
980
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Debate on the AfD in the CDU: The AfD is a Western party
Reiner Haseloff, former Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt and member of the CDU, warns against any cooperation with the AfD after the upcoming state election on September 6. He argues that parts of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt are unconstitutional and would lead to a fundamentally different system with a completely different value system if such collaboration were allowed. Haseloff emphasizes that the CDU cannot work with the AfD unless the party changes its current radical stance. While he remains firm against cooperation with the Left Party, he criticizes the media for their 'Western perspective' and claims they contribute to a negative portrayal of East Germany, which plays into the hands of the AfD. Haseloff acknowledges past contributions to East-West divisions within his own CDU but insists that the AfD is primarily a Western party.
Chronology of a trial: murder case Fabian - Accused Gina H. wants to testify for the first time - n-tv.de
The article outlines the timeline of a criminal trial involving the murder case of Fabian. It mentions that Gina H., who is accused in the case, will make her first court appearance to testify. The piece focuses on the procedural aspects of the trial and highlights Gina H.'s upcoming statement as a significant development in the case.
Effects of low water: Port of Duisburg under stress
The article discusses the ongoing low water levels in the Rhine River affecting the Duisburg port and related industries. The port operator Duisport reports that despite recent rainfall, the river level remains below normal, with the current level at 1.49 meters, lower than during the severe drought of 2018. Officials warn that this situation poses risks to shipping and industrial supply chains, particularly for inland waterway transport. Federal and state authorities, including NRW Minister Oliver Krischer, have met to discuss urgent measures, criticizing the slow progress of initiatives aimed at improving river navigability. The federal government has reduced funding for transforming inland shipping by half, leaving only 37 million euros available, which officials argue is insufficient. There is also pressure to implement planned improvements to the river channel. The Duisburg port, Europe’s largest inland port, handles over 20,000 ships and 25,000 trains annually, supporting around 52,000 jobs directly and indirectly, making it a critical economic pillar in the region.
Returning to England: What are Harry and Meghan up to?
The article discusses Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to return to the United Kingdom from California, focusing on their potential future roles and activities. It mentions Meghan's possible involvement in the third season of the Netflix series 'The Gentlemen' directed by Guy Ritchie, which involves a fictionalized account of a former UN soldier returning home to find a large cannabis plantation. The article notes that while they are moving to a private house in the Cotswolds, this is distinct from royal residences like Highgrove House. Additionally, it references Harry's ongoing efforts with the Invictus Games, a sports event for wounded veterans, and his hope to collaborate with his father, King Charles III, on future events. The article also touches on the gathering at Balmoral Castle where members of the royal family discussed the implications of Harry and Meghan's return.
"Trump is rushing from defeat to defeat in foreign policy" - n-tv.de
The article titled 'Trump eilt von Niederlage zu Niederlage in Außenpolitik' by n-tv.de discusses President Donald Trump's perceived pattern of setbacks in his foreign policy. The piece highlights various instances where Trump's international initiatives faced criticism or failed to achieve their intended outcomes. These include tensions with allies, disputes over trade agreements, and challenges in maintaining diplomatic relations. While the article does not provide specific examples or detailed analysis, it frames Trump's foreign policy efforts as consistently met with negative results. The tone suggests a critical view of Trump's handling of international affairs.
A driver with a medical problem: car races through pedestrian zone in Hesse - eight injured - n-tv.de
A driver with a medical issue caused a car to crash through a pedestrian zone in Hesse, resulting in eight injured individuals. The incident highlights concerns about road safety and the potential risks posed by drivers experiencing health problems behind the wheel. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, including whether the driver was aware of their condition at the time of the collision. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, providing medical assistance to those affected. The event has sparked discussions about the need for stricter regulations or monitoring of drivers who may have underlying health conditions.
Trump's customs dispute with Canada: Navidi: "This trade war is the one that makes the least sense" - n-tv.de
The article discusses the ongoing trade conflict between the United States and Canada under President Donald Trump. It quotes Navidi, who comments that this trade war makes the least sense. The focus is on the economic implications of the tariffs and the potential impact on both countries' economies.
Friedrich Merz: German Chancellor criticises 'climate change deniers' in Hürtgenwald, where he is a member of the German parliament
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the town of Hürtgenwald in North Rhine-Westphalia one week after a severe forest fire destroyed large areas of woodland. During his visit, Merz praised the efforts of firefighters, the military, and other emergency services, stating that their collaboration helped prevent more severe damage. He acknowledged the impact of climate change, calling it a 'sad fact,' and criticized those who deny climate change, urging them to look at the situation in Hürtgenwald. Merz announced that the federal cabinet would discuss improved measures to protect against climate-related disasters such as wildfires, including better communication infrastructure. The fire, which broke out on August 13, covered approximately 300 hectares and was possibly caused by human error. Residents of the village of Gey were evacuated due to safety concerns.
War in Ukraine: Lavrov wants to continue to destroy
The article discusses Russia's rejection of a ceasefire in the Black Sea and its intention to intensify attacks against targets supporting Ukraine's war efforts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow would 'clearly sharpen' its methods to destroy infrastructure aiding Ukraine's military supply lines from the West. Both Russia and Ukraine have increased attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, driving up global grain prices. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported attacks on a railway station in the port city of Izmail and two tugboats near Mykolaiv, which were allegedly involved in transporting military equipment and fuel. The article also mentions the potential success of the far-right AfD party in upcoming state elections, highlighting growing influence of right-wing forces, and promotes a campaign by the newspaper 'taz' supporting leftist community initiatives.
In the Ukrainian attack on Belgorod killed six people, among the wounded children
On August 17, 2026, an Ukrainian missile attack struck the Russian region of Belgorod, killing six people and injuring four, including a 14-year-old child. The attack reportedly hit the village of Koloskovo in the Valuysky district, damaging a building and a vehicle. In addition, a woman was killed in another Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Astrakhan region, which targeted industrial infrastructure. According to French news agency AFP, at least 19 people were killed in mutual attacks between Ukraine and Russia over the weekend. Russia’s defense ministry described the Ukrainian strikes, some involving hundreds of drones, as the largest since the start of the year. One of the targets was a warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries, which Kyiv claims supplies parts for drones to the Russian military. Meanwhile, in southern Odessa Oblast, a Russian night attack on Izmail caused fires that have been extinguished. A civilian ship flying the flag of Tuva was damaged during the attack, leaving four people injured. Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz reported that Russia conducted 13 attacks on its facilities across Ukraine in the past week, targeting production and能源
Against Borussia Dortmund: FC Bayern Munich wins the Supercup with a score of 2:1
On August 22, 2026, FC Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2:1 in the Bundesliga Supercup, marking their first title of the new season. The match took place at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund before a sold-out crowd of 81,365. New signing Nathaniel Brown opened the scoring in the 28th minute, playing in the position usually occupied by Jamal Musiala, who was not included in the starting XI due to recent form issues. Michael Olise extended Bayern's lead in the second half, while Fábio Silva reduced the deficit for Dortmund. Despite being down to ten men after Ramy Bensebaini received a red card in stoppage time, Dortmund failed to equalize as Maximilian Beier missed a crucial chance. The victory showcased Bayern's strong start under coach Vincent Kompany and highlighted the performance of several national team players, including Brown, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, and Aleksandar Pavlović, in front of new national team manager Jürgen Klopp.
North Macedonia reports five West Nile virus deaths - n-tv.de
The article reports that North Macedonia has reported five deaths caused by the West Nile virus, attributing the increased cases to the hot summer weather. The situation highlights concerns over the spread of the virus during periods of high temperatures, which are believed to contribute to mosquito population growth and increased transmission risk.
Handball: Magdeburg wins the Supercup against the Berlin Foxes
The handball team Magdeburg has won the Supercup against their rivals, the Füchse Berlin. The match took place in a competitive setting, highlighting the intensity of the competition between these two teams. This victory marks a significant achievement for Magdeburg, reinforcing their position as a strong contender in the sport. The game was closely followed by fans and analysts alike, who noted the strategic plays and performances throughout the match.