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The Heilbronn Voice: From the barn to the modern media hub!
Find out the history of the Heilbronn Voice and its changes in Heilbronn since 1946. Insight into the past and present.
The Heilbronn Voice: From the barn to the modern media hub!
In the heart of Heilbronn it takes place Heilbronn voice has played a central role in the media landscape since 1946. Founded by Paul H. Distelbarth and Hermann Schwerdtfeger, the newspaper saw the light of day on March 28th of that year. What began as a modest project in a barn in Großgartach quickly developed into an independent publishing house with its own publishing and printing building, which opened in 1950 at Allee 2 in Heilbronn.
Over time, the Heilbronner Stimme, now the only daily newspaper in the city, has experienced many ups and downs. The first circulation was 38,000 copies and increased to 63,000 by 1948. In 1995 it reached its peak circulation with 117,000 copies. Around 61,540 copies are currently sold daily, giving the daily newspaper a reach of around 239,000 readers. Wikipedia emphasizes that the newspaper is non-partisan and independent, and employs over 520 people who work under the direction of editor-in-chief Uwe Ralf Heer.
A building with history
The building at Allee 2 has undergone many changes over the years. After moving into the building in 1950, the Stimme high-rise with its nine floors and two underground floors was completed in 1957. This striking building is not only an architectural highlight of the city of Heilbronn, but also an important part of local history.
An exciting chapter began in 2020 when the Stimme high-rise was extensively renovated. The renovation aimed for a new, simple look, with the striking blue limited to the entrance area. The walls now shine in basalt gray and white, giving the building a modern touch. A particularly notable element of the renovation is the three-dimensional, silver cladding of the stairwell in Synagogengasse, which is considered a real architectural highlight.
The evolution of a regional medium
The Heilbronner Stimme is more than just a newspaper. It has constantly reinvented itself by opening new formats and expanding its digital presence. The website was launched in 1996 voice.de was launched, followed by the introduction of the advertising paper “echo am Wochenend” in 1998. Further innovations, such as the Kraichgau Stimme, have supplemented the offering since 2001. The umbrella brand Stimme Mediengruppe was launched in 2021 to bundle all of the group’s companies and shows that the Heilbronner Stimme is future-oriented.
The commitment and adaptability of the Heilbronn voice are not only important for the readers, but also for the regional identity of the city of Heilbronn. With major journalistic awards such as the Guardian Prize and the Theodor Wolff Prize, the newspaper has consolidated its place in the German newspaper landscape. The final work on the energy-efficient renovation of the external facades is currently underway, and it will be exciting to see what the future holds for this traditional medium.