Kirch Group

KirchGruppe (KirchGroup) was a German media group founded by Leo Kirch in the 1950s. It was the dominant buyer and seller of TV programming rights in Germany. By 2000, it controlled a 52.5 percent stake in what became the country's biggest broadcaster, ProSiebenSat.1 Media.

The group collapsed in 2002 largely due to the debts associated with the purchase of sports rights for its television channels and the launch of pay-TV services. It was Germany's biggest corporate collapse since World War II.

KirchMedia declared bankruptcy on 8 April 2002, followed by KirchPayTV on 8 May and finally KirchBeteiligung on 12 June of the same year, along with the holding company for the group, Taurus Holding.