Seven.One Entertainment CEO Wolfgang Link exits as ProSiebenSat.1 woes deepen

Wolfgang Link

ProSiebenSat.1 woes have taken another turn with Wolfgang Link, CEO at its Seven.One Entertainment Group, set to leave the company.

Link has been with the company for almost 15 years but will depart amid a downsizing of the group’s executive board and ongoing financial struggles.

ProSiebenSat.1 Group CEO Bert Habets will take on the remit of Link, who was appointed in March 2020 and had been behind local versions of The Voice and Masked Singer.

He also oversaw the takeover of streamer Joyn, following the exit of joint venture partner Warner Bros. Discovery.

Link’s exit comes at a turbulent time for the German broadcaster, which has seen revenue and profits fall over the past six months. Its share price has halved over the past two years.

In March, it revealed plans to put entertainment “in focus” and turbocharge Joyn in a bid to reclaim viewers.

Andreas Wiele, chairman at ProSiebenSat.1, described the board’s “reorganisation” as the “logical consequence of the focus on the entertainment business” and was “in line with the group-wide transformation program to optimise structures and costs.”

Habets added: “I am certain that we will make the most of this company’s great potential if we act decisively and consistently, despite the difficult market environment. The transformation of the group is essential, and we will continue to invest heavily in local and international content in the future.”

Link said he “looked back on the past 14 years with great gratitude” and added he would remain attached with the company until later this year as an advisor.