As of today, January 2, 2026, Mediahuis Aachen has changed the print edition of the Aachener Zeitung to a new, more convenient format, while also strengthening the Aachener Zeitung brand throughout its entire distribution area. With the “new AZ,” Mediahuis is sending a clear signal about the future of the printed daily newspaper in the region.
Format change: More convenient, modern, and reader-friendly
From the beginning of 2026, the Aachener Zeitung will appear in a new half-format layout. The previous 24 portrait-format pages will become 48 half-format pages. Readers will thus receive a “new AZ” that is:
more handy and suitable for everyday use, even clearer and more reader-friendly in design, and sets new trends in the print sector with its modern appearance.
The move to the new format is based, among other things, on extensive market research. Reader surveys and trial runs have clearly shown that a more compact format is very popular with readers. Despite the new look, the core content remains unchanged: the Aachener Zeitung will continue to report on local and regional events with high journalistic quality.
- Three local editions for the entire region
- The “new AZ” is designed for the entire distribution area and will be published in three local editions in the future:
- Aachen city region, Düren district, and Heinsberg district
All editions offer the usual local content. In addition, each edition will now contain a few more pages with selected articles from across the region. This combines the strengths of local reporting with a broader regional overview.
Bundling production enables Mediahuis Aachen to reduce costs in the printing process, for example for printing plates and machine start-up. At the same time, readers benefit from a new, handy newspaper with more content.
Unlike other media companies, which are increasingly focusing on purely digital offerings in the face of declining print runs, Mediahuis Aachen is thus expressly committed to continuing to publish a printed daily newspaper. Strong unified brand: Aachener Zeitung
Parallel to the format change, Mediahuis Aachen is standardizing its brand management. In future, the printed newspaper will appear uniformly under the title Aachener Zeitung throughout its entire distribution area – as has long been the case in the digital sector.
In the Aachen city region, the district of Düren and the district of Heinsberg, the print edition will in future bear the same main title: Aachener Zeitung. The previous names of the local editions will continue to appear as subtitles on the front page. Inside the newspaper, local reporting from the immediate vicinity will remain at the usual level and with the familiar depth.
Mediahuis Aachen is also focusing on continuity in terms of personnel: the previous reporters and editors will continue to provide readers with reliable, well-founded, and independent reporting.
Continuity at its core – further development in its appearance
With the “new AZ,” Mediahuis Aachen is continuing the proven work of the Aachener Zeitung while further developing the product and brand. Quality content, regional proximity, and high journalistic standards remain the foundation – complemented by a format and design that better suits today's reading habits.
“The Aachener Zeitung sees itself as a strong local voice and a reliable companion through the everyday lives of people in our region. With the new, handy edition, we are consciously investing in the future of print journalism – and combining tradition with modern design,” says Managing Director Andreas Müller. “Our goal is clear: we want to ensure quality, facilitate access, and reach our readers even better.”
Mediahuis Aachen is pleased to continue accompanying readers with a daily newspaper that is up-to-date and locally and regionally anchored – in both print and digital formats – and is happy to answer any questions about the changeover.
Press contact:
Mediahuis Aachen
Julia Tran (Chief Operations Officer)
+49 241 5101118
