DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG is setting the course for its next phase of growth with the appointment of Markus Breitenecker as Chairman of the Executive Board. Breitenecker, a 57-year-old media executive, will join the board on 1 November 2026 and simultaneously acquire a shareholding in the company. He succeeds Detlef Kornett, who will leave at the end of 2026 upon expiry of his contract after thirteen years on the Executive Board.
Kornett's tenure was marked by significant international expansion and a strengthened market position. Under his leadership, the group generated revenue of approximately EUR 490 million in financial year 2025, the highest in its corporate history. Kornett served as Co-CEO since 2023 and as Chairman since 2024. "My time at DEAG has been characterised by an extraordinary period of development," Kornett said. "I am proud of what we have achieved together as a team."
Breitenecker brings extensive experience in building and developing new business areas, having served on the Executive Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE as Chief Operating Officer. His mandate focuses on driving continued international growth and expanding DEAG's market position across existing and new business areas. "Live entertainment has always been a personal passion of mine and, particularly in the digital age, remains one of the things that brings people together," Breitenecker said. "I look forward to bringing my experience from media, technology and platform businesses to DEAG."
Tobias Buck, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, thanked Kornett for his commitment and welcomed Breitenecker, noting his entrepreneurial and management experience will lead DEAG along its continued growth path. The transition underscores DEAG's ambition to build on its record revenue and further internationalise its operations.
Founded in Berlin in 1978, DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG is a leading provider of live entertainment, ticketing, and entertainment services in Europe. With group companies at 25 locations, it operates in Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. The company organises over 6,000 live events annually and sells more than 10 million tickets, a growing share of which are sold through its ticketing platforms: myticket.de, myticket.at, myticket.co.uk and gigantic.com.
The leadership change signals continuity in DEAG's strategy, with a focus on live entertainment for all generations, development of international markets, and strengthening of the ticketing area. Breitenecker's media and technology background is expected to accelerate digital transformation and platform growth, positioning DEAG to capitalise on evolving consumer trends in the European entertainment landscape. As the company integrates its ticketing platforms and expands its event portfolio, the appointment ensures DEAG remains competitive in a rapidly consolidating industry.
