Allgäu TV, officially branded as allgäu.tv, is a regional television broadcaster that serves the Allgäu, one of Bavaria’s most distinctive cultural and geographical regions. Headquartered in Kempten (Allgäu), the channel has been on air since May 15, 2000, and has grown to become the leading audiovisual voice of this Alpine and foothill area of southern Germany. Its motto, “Fernsehen fürs Allgäu” (“Television for the Allgäu”), reflects the mission it has pursued since its foundation: to provide programming that directly relates to the daily lives, traditions, politics, and cultural identity of the region.
Origins and Development
The channel was initially launched under the name TV Allgäu Nachrichten, with a strong emphasis on local news. In its earliest days, it focused primarily on short newscasts, reports, and magazine-style shows that gave viewers access to what was happening in their communities. Over time, the channel expanded its scope, increasing both the variety and production quality of its content.
A significant moment came in 2014, when the station underwent a rebranding and became a.tv – Fernsehen fürs Allgäu. This was designed to modernize its image and establish a clearer profile as a professional regional broadcaster. Later, the stylized name allgäu.tv was adopted and remains in use today. With this name, the channel has further embraced the digital era, building a strong online presence alongside its traditional television operations.
Ownership and Organization
Allgäu TV is operated by Allgäu-TV GmbH & Co. KG, a media company with several stakeholders. Its main shareholder is rta media GmbH, part of the Mediengruppe Allgäuer Zeitung, which owns 56 percent of the broadcaster. Another 30 percent is held by the Mediengruppe Sankt Ulrich Verlag, a publishing house associated with the Catholic Diocese of Augsburg. The remaining 14 percent is owned by RT 15 GmbH.
This ownership structure places Allgäu TV firmly within the fabric of regional media organizations, combining the reach of a traditional newspaper group with the added resources of church-based media and smaller investors. The station is licensed and regulated by the Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM), Bavaria’s state authority for private broadcasting, which has granted Allgäu TV broadcasting rights until at least 2029.
Broadcast and Distribution
Allgäu TV is available across multiple platforms, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers both in the region and beyond. The channel broadcasts via:
- Cable networks in Bavaria
- Satellite distribution, covering southern Germany and neighboring areas
- MagentaTV, Deutsche Telekom’s IPTV service
- HbbTV, interactive hybrid television
- Streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
In addition, the channel maintains an active online livestream and video-on-demand service on its official website. Many of its programs are also made available via YouTube, where its channel has attracted a steadily growing audience of over 13,000 subscribers. This multi-platform approach enables allgäu.tv to reach both traditional television viewers and younger audiences who prefer digital media.
Programming and Content
The heart of Allgäu TV’s identity lies in its programming, which emphasizes local news, cultural life, sports, and community events. Among its most popular shows are:
- allgäu.tv Nachrichten – The daily news program, reporting on politics, economics, society, and culture within the region. Broadcast at 18:00 every day, it is considered the flagship show.
- Landkreismagazine – District-focused magazine programs, each dedicated to a specific part of the Allgäu such as Oberallgäu, Unterallgäu, Ostallgäu, Kaufbeuren, and the Westallgäu.
- allgäu.tv Spezial – Special reports on major events, local traditions, and seasonal features.
- Land und Leute – A program exploring rural life, traditions, and stories of local people.
- Allgäuer Sporttalk – A forum for discussing regional sports, featuring athletes, coaches, and local clubs.
- Wochenrückblick – The weekly review, summarizing the main news stories and cultural highlights of the week.
- Tipps und Trends – A lifestyle magazine with advice on consumer issues, health, leisure, and trends.
- katholisch1.tv – Religious programming produced in cooperation with church media partners.
This mix ensures a comprehensive representation of life in the Allgäu, from everyday municipal decisions to cultural festivals and grassroots sports.
Regional Identity and Role
Allgäu TV is more than just a broadcaster; it is an important cultural institution that reflects and strengthens the regional identity of the Allgäu. The region, which stretches across southern Bavaria into parts of Baden-Württemberg and Austria, is known for its Alpine landscapes, dairy farming, tourism, and rich traditions. The channel emphasizes these elements, highlighting local festivals, folk music, crafts, and stories of community life.
By doing so, Allgäu TV serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it provides viewers with useful information about their own towns and districts, covering everything from local politics to road construction projects. On the other hand, it preserves and promotes the cultural distinctiveness of the Allgäu, giving residents a sense of pride and belonging.
Its slogan “Fernsehen fürs Allgäu” encapsulates this mission perfectly: television produced by and for the people of the region.
Digital Strategy and Innovation
In recent years, Allgäu TV has placed a strong emphasis on digitalization. The channel has recognized the changing habits of viewers, many of whom increasingly prefer mobile or on-demand access over traditional linear TV. To meet this demand, Allgäu TV has invested in:
- A dedicated mobile app, available for both iOS and Android, offering live streams and archived programs.
- Smart TV integration, making content accessible on devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV.
- YouTube expansion, where both full programs and shorter clips are uploaded daily.
- Social media activity, including Facebook and Instagram, to share news highlights and interact with the audience.
This digital presence has broadened the channel’s reach, making it possible for Allgäu natives living outside the region to stay connected to their home.
Audience and Impact
The viewership of Allgäu TV consists primarily of residents of the Allgäu region, but thanks to its online distribution, the channel also reaches expatriates, tourists, and neighboring regions. Local businesses benefit from advertising opportunities on the channel, as it offers targeted access to a defined and loyal audience.
Its coverage of local elections, sports events, cultural festivals, and economic developments makes it a key reference point for anyone wanting to stay informed about the Allgäu. Moreover, its programming supports civic engagement by giving airtime to municipalities, institutions, and civic groups that might otherwise be overlooked by national broadcasters.
Place in the German Media Landscape
Allgäu TV is part of a wider network of regional private broadcasters across Bavaria and Germany. Similar stations include augsburg.tv (its sister channel in Augsburg), münchen.tv in Munich, and Regio TV Schwaben. Together, they create a mosaic of regional television stations that complement the nationwide offerings of public broadcasters like ARD and ZDF or private giants like RTL and ProSiebenSat.1.
This structure underlines one of the strengths of the German media system: the presence of local and regional stations that ensure citizens can access information relevant to their immediate environment, not just national or global news.
Conclusion
Over more than two decades, allgäu.tv has grown into an indispensable part of life in the Bavarian Allgäu. It combines serious journalism with entertainment, local politics with cultural celebration, and regional sports with community storytelling. Its adaptability in the digital era, through apps, streaming services, and social media, ensures that it continues to thrive in an age of rapid technological change.
Most importantly, Allgäu TV fulfills a role that national broadcasters cannot: it reflects the identity, traditions, and daily concerns of the Allgäu people. In doing so, it secures its place as the true “Television for the Allgäu.”
