Key Figures in € millions Business Development Group revenues Operating EBITDA adjusted EBITDA margin (in percent)¹ Group profit Investments² Consolidated Balance Sheet Equity Equity ratio (in percent) Total assets Economic debt³ At a Glance H1 2024 H1 2023 8,975 1,249 13.9 416 812 6/30/2024 15,063 47.4 31,810 6,072 9,705 1,275 13.1 260 771 12/31/2023 15,165 46.5 32,622 4,713 The figures shown in the table are, in some cases, so-called Alternative Performance Measures (APM), which are neither defined nor described in IFRS. Details are presented in the section “Alternative Performance Measures” in the Combined Management Report 2023. In individual cases, rounding may result in individual figures not adding up to the totals shown and percentages may not add up exactly to the figures shown. 1 Operating EBITDA adjusted as a percentage of revenues. 2 Taking into account the financial debt assumed and purchase price payments for share increases in subsidiaries that were already consolidated, investments amounted to €1,013 million (H1 2023: €842 million). 3 Net financial debt plus pension provisions, profit participation capital and lease liabilities.

Highlights of the First Six Months • Streaming services show continued strong growth: Together, RTL+ in Germany and Hungary and M6+ in France record 6.3 million paying subscribers, with streaming 42 percent revenues up is • RTL Deutschland the only commercial broadcaster in Germany to achieve growth in the first half of the year, expanding its lead over commercial competitors • Groupe M6 secures the broadcasting rights for the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups • Salman Rushdie’s memoir “Knife,” with its April publication globally coordinated by Penguin Random House, is an international bestseller • Numerous Penguin Random House authors are honored with prestigious awards, including 2024 Pulitzer Prizes, in the first half of this year • Publication of posthumous memoirs Alexei Navalny and Lisa Marie Presley expected for fall by is www.rtl.com www.penguinrandomhouse.com into • Arvato enters further partnerships with implements leading robotics companies and corresponding solutions at logistics centers in the United States, the Netherlands and Germany • Riverty deepens its existing partnership with transport company largest public Germany’s Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe • Arvato Systems extends its current IT service contract with Open Grid Europe – Germany’s largest gas transmission system operator – ahead of schedule by five and a half years, and expands its content • Investment program to boost productivity and automation at printing plants in the United States continues as planned • Territory launches Smart Agency, an AI-based marketing platform for the micro and small- business target group • DeutschlandCard introduces numerous new services and works on realigning its business model www.arvato-group.com www.bertelsmann-marketing-services.com Highlights of the First Six Months Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 4

Dear Readers, We have every reason to be happy with our performance in the first six months of 2024: Bertelsmann achieved much stronger organic growth again, at 3.7 percent. Our operating result from continuing operations grew at a double-digit rate. The Boost program continues at full speed: the first half of the year alone saw investments of around one billion euros; we have invested close to five billion euros since the program began. first time At €9.0 billion, Bertelsmann’s Group revenues were down 7.5 percent from the previous year’s record figure, due to portfolio developments, namely the sale of Majorel in November 2023. For the the US businesses contributed with 28.4 percent the total revenues. Meanwhile, highest share organic revenue growth was 3.7 percent, compared to 2.3 percent in the first half of the prior year. Almost all divisions contributed to this increase. in Bertelsmann’s history, to Thomas Rabe Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann Operating EBITDA adjusted was €1,249 million, putting it on par with the previous year’s €1,275 million, despite the sale of Majorel. Adjusted for the sale, it increased by 14 percent. Penguin Random House, BMG, Bertelsmann Marketing Services, Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments grew their earnings at double-digit rates, thanks in part to the Group-wide Boost investments. Group profit increased by 60 percent to €416 million, compared to €260 million in the first six months of 2023. On the strategy front, we made further progress on our five growth priorities: National Media Champions The streaming services RTL+ in Germany and Hungary and M6+ (previously 6play) in France continued their dynamic growth. The paying subscriber base increased by 25 percent to 6.3 million; streaming revenues rose by 42 percent to €185 million (H1 2023: €130 million). In the first half of the year, RTL Deutschland was the only commercial broadcaster in Germany to increase its share of the advertisers’ preferred target audience of 14- to 59-year-olds. In June and July, RTL Deutschland and Groupe M6 broadcast UEFA EURO 2024 matches, giving them high audience reach on linear television and streaming. In March, Groupe M6 announced its acquisition of the exclusive television rights for most of the matches of the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups. Shortly after the end of the first half of 2024, on July 29, the companies in the Bertelsmann Content Alliance in Germany launched a joint initiative with the tagline “Mein Grund für Zuversicht” (roughly: “Why I’m confident [about the future]”). The aim is to promote social cohesion. Global Content In the first half of the year, Fremantle expanded its business with the full acquisition of Asacha Media Group, and an 80-percent stake in Beach House Pictures, one of Asia’s largest independent TV and production companies. Fremantle won a total of 114 awards, including Academy Awards (Oscars), Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Golden Lions. In January, Penguin Random House completed its acquisition of Hay House, a leading US-based publisher of wellness and self-help titles, and further increased its stake in the fast- growing US publisher Sourcebooks. A number of Penguin Random House authors were honored in the first half of the year, including Jayne Anne Phillips and Cristina Rivera Garza with the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, and Dave Eggers with the 2024 Newbery Medal, the foremost annual award for children’s literature in the United States. Foreword Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 6

Group Interim Management Report In the first half of 2024, Bertelsmann recorded positive business performance with improved organic growth and a strong operating result. Organic revenue growth of 3.7 percent partially offset negative portfolio effects. Group revenues fell by 7.5 percent to €9.0 billion (H1 2023: €9.7 billion) as a result of the sale of shares in the customer experience company Majorel. Revenue growth was recorded by RTL Group, Penguin Random House, BMG, Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments. Operating EBITDA adjusted fell only slightly below the previous year’s high figure to €1,249 million (H1 2023: €1,275 million) despite negative portfolio effects. Penguin Random House, BMG, Bertelsmann Marketing Services, Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments achieved earnings growth with double-digit growth rates. The EBITDA margin increased to 13.9 percent (H1 2023: 13.1 percent). Group profit rose to €416 million (H1 2023: €260 million). Bertelsmann anticipates continued positive overall business performance for 2024 as a whole. Revenues in € billions Operating EBITDA Adjusted in € millions Group Profit in € millions 9.7 9.0 1,275 1,249 416 260 H1 2023 H1 2024 H1 2023 H1 2024 H1 2023 H1 2024 • Revenue decline of 7.5 percent due to portfolio effects after the sale of Majorel shares • Organic revenue growth of 3.7 percent • Operating EBITDA adjusted of €1,249 million • EBITDA margin increased to 13.9 percent (H1 2023: 13.1 percent) • Group profit rose to reorganization expenses €416 million • Lower impact from Group Interim Management Report Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 8

Global services were also further expanded. In February, Arvato’s logistics business started operations at a new distribution center in Louisville, United States, and began work on another in the Netherlands. The closure of the Prinovis site in Ahrensburg, Germany, at the end of January 2024 marked Bertelsmann Marketing Services’ full exit from the gravure segment. Bertelsmann further expanded its education business. The stake in Afya, a leading provider of medical training and education in Brazil, was increased again during the reporting period. Relias further expanded its digital platform for training healthcare personnel in the United States and in Germany. The Alliant International University welcomed its first students at its newly opened campus for nursing and health sciences in Phoenix, United States. In addition, the takeover of Udacity by Accenture involving the acquisition of Bertelsmann’s shares in Udacity was announced in March 2024. As of June 30, 2024, Bertelsmann Investments (BI) held 374 investments worldwide after 15 new and 15 follow-on investments in the reporting period. Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) started the funding round for the start-up Rozana, an e-commerce trade platform for rural areas in India. Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI) made a successful exit from smartphone provider Xiaomi. In addition, BI expanded the Bertelsmann Next growth area with a particular focus on the digital health, pharma-tech and HR-tech lines of business. In February, BI acquired the HR solutions provider Milch & Zucker and the pharma-tech company Extedo. BI also concluded the sale of the majority equity stake in DDV Mediengruppe during the reporting period. Value-Oriented Management System Bertelsmann’s primary objective is continuous growth of the company’s value through a sustained increase in profitability with efficient capital investment at the same time. Strictly defined operational performance indicators, including revenues and operating EBITDA adjusted, are used to directly assess current business performance and are correspondingly used in the outlook. These are distinguished from performance indicators used in the broader sense, which are partially derived from the above-mentioned indicators or are strongly influenced by them. These include the EBITDA margin (operating EBITDA adjusted as a percentage of revenues) and organic revenue growth. Some key performance indicators are determined on the basis of so-called Alternative Performance Measures, which are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). They should not be considered in isolation but as complementary information for evaluating Bertelsmann’s business situation. For detailed information on this, please refer to the section “Alternative Performance Measures” in the 2023 Combined Management Report. Revenues as a growth indicator of the businesses fell in the first half of 2024 by 7.5 percent to €8,975 million (H1 2023: €9,705 million) as a result of the sale of shares in the customer experience company Majorel in November 2023. Organic revenue growth was 3.7 percent. The organic growth is calculated by adjusting the reported revenue growth for the impact of exchange rate effects, corporate acquisitions and disposals, as well as other effects. When determining the exchange rate effects, the functional currency that is valid in the respective country is used. The other effects include changes in methods and presentation, for example. Exchange rate effects are calculated by comparing the revenues of the current year with the exchange rates of the previous year. Portfolio effects are calculated to the exact month: in the case of acquisitions, the relevant months in the current year and in the following year are adjusted; in the case of sales, the non- comparable months in the previous year of the current year and in the previous year of the following year are excluded. Operating EBITDA adjusted is determined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization, and impairment losses and reversals of impairment losses, and is adjusted for special items. The adjustments for special items serve to determine a sustainable operating result that could be repeated under normal economic circumstances and is not affected by special factors or structural distortions. These special items primarily include impairment losses and reversals of impairment losses, fair value measurements, reorganization expenses and results from disposals of investments. This means operating EBITDA adjusted is a meaningful performance indicator. Not included in the special items are disposal effects of real estate transactions. To preclude a double adjustment, amortization/depreciation, impairment and reversals already included in the special items are eliminated by means of a correction. Operating EBITDA adjusted fell only Group Interim Management Report Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 10

Developments in Relevant Markets European television advertising markets saw mixed development in the first half of 2024. While the TV advertising market declined significantly in the Netherlands, growth was strong in Hungary, significant in France and moderate in Germany. Streaming markets saw strong growth in Germany and Hungary and moderate growth in the Netherlands. The markets for printed books grew moderately in the United States, declined slightly in the United Kingdom, and grew moderately in Germany and strongly in the Spanish-speaking region. The market for e-books grew slightly in the United States and strongly in the United Kingdom. The digital audiobook market grew strongly in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The global music market recorded strong growth both in the publishing market segment and in the recordings market segment. The service markets relevant to Arvato Group showed moderate growth in the first half of 2024 despite the negative effects of countercyclical factors. The German offset market declined significantly, while the North American book printing market recorded a slight decline. The education markets in the United States where Bertelsmann is involved, training in healthcare and university education, as well as the Brazilian market for medical university courses exhibited moderate to strong growth in the reporting period. For the most part, the developments thus far in the relevant markets are within the current-year trend anticipated in the 2023 Combined Management Report. Significant Events in the Current Financial Year The agreement governing the sale of RTL Nederland to DPG Media concluded by RTL Group at the end of 2023 remains subject to regulatory approvals. During the reporting period, the Dutch Competition Authority (ACM) announced that further reviews of the planned takeover are required. The transaction is expected to close around the end of 2024. At the start of 2024, Penguin Random House acquired US book publisher Hay House, one of the country’s leading publishers of self-help, health and wellness. In February 2024, RTL Group subsidiary Fremantle acquired Asacha Media Group, a European production group headquartered in France. Asacha Media Group owns interests in eight production companies in France, Italy and the United Kingdom. The acquisition complements Fremantle’s footprint in Europe and strengthens the position of the RTL Group subsidiary as home to top and new talent. In March 2024, Penguin Random House raised its stake in Sourcebooks from 53 percent to 75 percent. In the first half of 2024, Bertelsmann increased its stake in Afya, a leading provider of medical training and education in Brazil. As of June 30, 2024, Bertelsmann held 75 percent of the voting rights (December 31, 2023: 61 percent) and – after adjustment of treasury shares held by Afya – 63 percent of the equity (December 31, 2023: 50 percent). Group Interim Management Report Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 12

operational activities at Bertelsmann Investments grew as a result of the positive business development of AppLike in particular. Operating EBITDA Adjusted in € millions EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) Less special items attributable to: RTL Group attributable to: Penguin Random House attributable to: BMG attributable to: Arvato Group attributable to: Bertelsmann Marketing Services attributable to: Bertelsmann Education Group attributable to: Bertelsmann Investments attributable to: Corporate/Consolidation Less amortization/depreciation, impairment and reversals on intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets Less adjustments on amortization/depreciation, impairment and reversals on intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets included in special items Operating EBITDA adjusted Special Items H1 2024 680 (40) 7 (4) (5) (88) (11) 10 48 2 (536) 7 1,249 H1 2023 509 (203) (48) (10) 2 (6) (64) (42) (37) 2 (572) 9 1,275 Overall, special items amounted to €-40 million (H1 2023: €-203 million). They consisted of results from disposals of investments of €6 million (H1 2023: €15 million), fair value measurement of investments of €40 million (H1 2023: €2 million), and reorganization expenses and other special items totaling €-86 million (H1 2023: €-216 million). The high reorganization expenses and other special items of the previous year period were primarily attributable to the reorganization of RTL Group’s publishing business, the structural reorganization of Penguin Random House’s US business and the announced location closures in the gravure printing business of Bertelsmann Marketing Services. In the first half of 2024, there were no impairment losses on other financial assets at amortized cost following €-2 million in the same period last year and no adjustments to carrying amounts of assets held for sale following €-2 million in the same period last year. EBIT EBIT amounted to €680 million in the reporting period (H1 2023: €509 million) after adjusting operating EBITDA adjusted to include special items totaling €-40 million (H1 2023: €-203 million) as well as the amortization, depreciation, impairment losses and reversals of impairment losses on intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and right-of-use assets totaling €-529 million (H1 2023: €-563 million), which were not included in special items. Group Profit The financial result was €-120 million (H1 2023: €-158 million). The tax expense was €-144 million compared to €-91 million in the same period last year. Group profit therefore rose to €416 million (H1 2023: €260 million). The share of Group profit attributable to Bertelsmann shareholders was €318 million (H1 2023: €116 million). The non-controlling interests in Group profit came to €98 million (H1 2023: €144 million). Group Interim Management Report Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 14

Cash Flow Statement In the reporting period, Bertelsmann generated cash flow from operating activities of €364 million (H1 2023: €424 million). The cash flow from investing activities amounted to €-726 million compared to €-422 million in the same period last year. The deviation is, among other things, attributable to the proceeds from sales of financial assets received in the same period last year. The cash flow from financing activities was €-966 million (H1 2023: €-1,237 million). Cash and cash equivalents decreased to €1,635 million as of June 30, 2024 (December 31, 2023: €2,954 million). Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (Summary) in € millions Cash flow from operating activities Cash flow from investing activities Cash flow from financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents Exchange rate changes and other changes in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents as of 1/1 Cash and cash equivalents as of 6/30 Less cash and cash equivalents of disposal groups Cash and cash equivalents as of 6/30 (according to the consolidated balance sheet) Investments H1 2024 364 (726) (966) (1,328) (11) 2,974 1,635 – 1,635 H1 2023 424 (422) (1,237) (1,235) (4) 3,228 1,989 (300) 1,689 According to the cash flow statement, investments in the first half of 2024 amounted to €812 million (H1 2023: €771 million). Investments in intangible assets came to €236 million (H1 2023: €264 million) and were attributable primarily to BMG for the acquisition of music catalogs and to RTL Group for investments in the streaming and content businesses. As in the same period last year, the majority of investments in property, plant and equipment, totaling €210 million (H1 2023: €217 million), were attributable to Arvato Group. The sum of €73 million was invested in financial assets (H1 2023: €90 million). Purchase price payments for consolidated investments (less acquired cash and cash equivalents) totaled €293 million in the reporting period (H1 2023: €200 million) and were mainly attributable to the acquisition of Asacha Media Group and the acquisition of the US book publisher Hay House. Balance Sheet As of June 30, 2024, total assets amounted to €31.8 billion (December 31, 2023: €32.6 billion). Equity amounted to €15.1 billion after €15.2 billion as of December 31, 2023. The resulting equity ratio amounts to 47.4 percent (December 31, 2023: 46.5 percent). Cash and cash equivalents decreased to €1.6 billion as of June 30, 2024, from €3.0 billion as of December 31, 2023. The decline was due to increased investment activity as well as interest and dividend payments, among other things. Employees As of June 30, 2024, Bertelsmann had 78,271 employees worldwide. Compared with the previous year’s figure of 164,020 members of staff as of June 30, 2023, the decrease is in particular attributable to the sale of shares in and deconsolidation of Majorel. Given the headcount reduction, personnel expenses fell accordingly. Group Interim Management Report Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 16

In the United States, thanks to numerous new and previous #1 bestsellers, Penguin Random House achieved higher first-half revenues than in the previous year. Sourcebooks, which is majority-owned by Penguin Random House, made a significant contribution to the half-year results with numerous bestsellers. Positive contributions also came from audio publishing, and from its US third-party distribution business, Penguin Random House Publisher Services. Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial also recorded an increase in revenues in the first half of the year compared to the previous year. Penguin Random House UK, in a challenging marketplace, maintained its market share at the level of the first half of 2023. Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe and DK recorded slightly lower revenues. In January, Penguin Random House completed the acquisition of Hay House, a leading international publisher of wellness and self-help titles. In view of the increasing book bans in US schools and libraries, in the first half of the year, Penguin Random House significantly stepped up its ongoing industry-leading legal and communications initiatives to protect the right to read and ensure access to books for everyone. Many Penguin Random House authors received prestigious awards in the first six months of the year, including Jayne Anne Phillips and Cristina Rivera Garza with the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, and Dave Eggers with the 2024 Newbery Medal, the foremost annual award for children’s literature in the United States. Penguin Random House Australia was named Publisher of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards for the third time in four years. BMG Bertelsmann’s music subsidiary BMG reported double-digit revenue growth and EBITDA margin at an all- time high, driven by a strong performance across its recordings and music publishing businesses. Revenues increased by 11.1 percent to €459 million (H1 2023: €414 million). Organic revenue growth was 12.5 percent, caused by strong growth in its digital income streams. The share of digital business in total revenues increased to 69 percent (H1 2023: 63 percent). Operating EBITDA adjusted rose by 35.5 percent to €122 million (H1 2023: €90 million). The EBITDA margin increased significantly to 26.5 percent (H1 2023: 21.7 percent). As part of the Bertelsmann Boost strategy, BMG made 10 catalog purchases during the reporting period, bringing total investments since 2021 to around €900 million. The music division also signed well-known artists and songwriters in the first half of the year, including Mustard, YG, New Kids on the Block, and The Script in recordings and Cirque du Soleil, KT Tunstall, and Tyron Hapi in publishing. In its recordings business, BMG achieved success with new releases by Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Bruce Dickinson, Everything Everything, Sum 41, Crowded House, Pepe and Paco de Lucía, and Lenny Kravitz. BMG artists Lainey Wilson (Best Country Album) and Kylie Minogue (Best Pop Dance Recording) were each honored with a Grammy Award. In its publishing business, new releases by Pashanim (“2000” reached #1 on the German and Swiss albums charts and “Mittelmeer” #1 on the German singles chart), Bring Me the Horizon, and Frank Turner were among the most successful. On behalf of its clients Steve Miller, Trevor Horn and Anne Dudley, BMG has a major share of Eminem’s hit single “Houdini,” one of the year’s biggest streaming successes. BMG songwriters collaborated on 13 songs from Beyoncé’s globally chart-topping album “Cowboy Carter.” In addition, BMG scored a viral hit with a cover version of Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” featured in season three of the Netflix series “Bridgerton.” Group Interim Management Report Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 18

Despite the reluctance of business customers to engage in advertising activities in the direct marketing and agency market, the Digital Marketing business was able to keep revenues stable overall. Campaign revenues fell slightly due to the discontinuation of activities by a major client in brochure distribution. The multi-partner bonus program DeutschlandCard was able to maintain revenues at the previous year’s high level and is preparing a relaunch of the program, scheduled for spring 2025. The offset printing businesses in Germany recorded declining revenues and reduced profitability in the reporting period as a result of lower capacity utilization. GGP Media’s book business declined significantly, in particular due to lower paper and energy prices. The exit from the gravure business was completed at the end of January with the scheduled shutdown of production at Prinovis in Ahrensburg. The book printing business in the United States recorded a year-on-year recovery as a result of significantly stronger demand, particularly in the core hardcover and softcover formats. Revenues and operating earnings increased significantly in the reporting period. This positive development is primarily due to stronger demand. The comprehensive investment program to boost productivity and digitalize production processes continued as planned over the course of the year. For example, a new digital printing press was put into operation at the Berryville site. At the same time, the consolidation of the US book printing business continued with the closure of Offset Paperback Manufacturers and the migration of mass market formats to the printing plant in Martinsburg. In addition, contracts with major clients were renewed long-term. At Sonopress, capacity utilization and revenues fell in the first half of 2024 due to market-related volume declines across all digital formats. In the growing LP business segment, Sonopress launched EcoRecord, a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional vinyl records. Topac further expanded its business with sustainable packaging solutions for the food industry. Bertelsmann Education Group In the first half of 2024, Bertelsmann’s education businesses generated revenues of €470 million, 9.3 percent more than in the prior-year period (H1 2023: €430 million), and operating EBITDA adjusted of €180 million (H1 2023: €141 million), an increase of 27.7 percent. The increase in revenues and operating EBITDA adjusted at Bertelsmann Education Group is primarily attributable to organic growth across all operating units. Bertelsmann Education Group increased its stake in listed education company Afya, a leading medical education group in Brazil with more than 35 locations across the country, through further share purchases. Its current focus is on the education and training of physicians, accompanied by an increasing emphasis on digital solutions for physicians, including tools to support clinical decision making, practice management, digital medical education, and digital prescriptions. Afya continued its dynamic growth in the first half of the year, driven by higher revenues from tuition fees and a further increase in student numbers. The acquisition of Unidom Participações S.A., which was successfully signed in May and closed in early July, further expanded Afya’s presence in north-eastern Brazil, where it increased the number of medical student places by 300 to 3,503 per year. Relias, the US leader in online education and training for healthcare professionals, continued to benefit from the shift to online learning and increasing demand for workforce management solutions to optimize clinical performance. In the first half of 2024, Relias won numerous national and international awards, including EdTech Breakthrough’s Online Learning Innovation Award, as well as placing high in prestigious rankings, including eighth place in the Top 25 Healthcare Software Companies compiled by US industry service The Healthcare Technology Report. Group Interim Management Report Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 20

Risks and Opportunities Risk Management System Please refer to the 2023 Combined Management Report for a description of Bertelsmann’s risk management system (RMS) and the accounting-related RMS and internal control system (ICS). Significant Changes in Risks Compared to the 2023 Combined Management Report Please refer to the respective disclosures in the 2023 Combined Management Report for a description of the key risks to the Bertelsmann Group. Overall, as of June 30, 2024, the same Group risks are considered material as those existing as of December 31, 2023. However, the significance of individual types of risk in terms of Bertelsmann’s future business performance has changed. In light of the macroeconomic conditions, customer risks and the risk of economic slowdown remain the most material risks to the Group. Strategic and Operational Risks The strategic and operational risk position for the Group remains essentially unchanged from that depicted in the 2023 Combined Management Report. Growing customer risks primarily arising from the expected decline in volumes due to macroeconomic conditions are partly offset by a decline in supplier risks due to the further normalization of factor costs and falling inflation. Forecasts concerning global economic development continue to be cautious because the global economic situation is still being impacted by the effects of geopolitical crises such as the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, as well as inflation trends. In addition, further geopolitical crises, national deficits, currency turbulences or the introduction of higher tariffs as a result of rising protectionist tendencies could interfere with economic performance and influence Bertelsmann’s risk situation. Legal and Regulatory Risks Please refer to the 2023 Combined Management Report for details of legal and regulatory risks. There have been no significant changes. Financial Market Risks Compared with the situation in the 2023 Combined Management Report, financial market risks remain largely unchanged. Overall Risk The overall risk position remains essentially unchanged. No risks were identified for Bertelsmann as a going concern as of June 30, 2024. Opportunities The assessment of opportunities has not changed substantially compared to the information presented in the 2023 Combined Management Report. Group Interim Management Report Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 22

Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Consolidated Income Statement in € millions Revenues Other operating income Cost of materials Royalty and license fees Personnel costs Amortization/depreciation, impairment and reversals on intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets Other operating expenses Results from investments accounted for using the equity method Impairment and reversals on investments accounted for using the equity method Results from disposals of investments EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) Interest income Interest expenses Other financial income Other financial expenses Financial result Earnings before taxes Income tax expense Group profit or loss attributable to: Bertelsmann shareholders Non-controlling interests H1 2024 8,975 183 (3,020) (786) (2,640) (536) (1,518) 16 – 6 680 32 (88) 41 (104) (120) 560 (144) 416 318 98 H1 2023 9,705 144 (3,020) (714) (3,497) (572) (1,566) 14 – 15 509 28 (92) 15 (109) (158) 351 (91) 260 116 144 Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 24

Consolidated Balance Sheet in € millions Assets Non-current assets Goodwill Other intangible assets Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets Investments accounted for using the equity method Minority stakes and other financial assets Trade and other receivables Other non-financial assets Deferred tax assets Current assets Inventories Trade and other receivables Other financial assets Other non-financial assets Current income tax receivables Cash and cash equivalents Assets held for sale Equity and liabilities Equity Subscribed capital Capital reserve Retained earnings Bertelsmann shareholders’ equity Non-controlling interests Non-current liabilities Provisions for pensions and similar obligations Other provisions Deferred tax liabilities Profit participation capital Financial debt Lease liabilities Trade and other payables Other non-financial liabilities Current liabilities Other provisions Financial debt Lease liabilities Trade and other payables Other non-financial liabilities Current income tax payables Liabilities related to assets held for sale 6/30/2024 12/31/2023 8,706 3,998 2,915 507 1,471 69 1,285 968 19,919 2,359 5,218 463 1,447 98 1,635 11,218 673 11,891 31,810 1,000 2,345 9,725 13,071 1,992 15,063 711 182 155 413 4,594 1,077 544 406 8,082 186 638 273 5,242 2,029 96 8,464 201 8,665 31,810 8,403 4,077 2,808 549 1,414 66 1,194 969 19,480 2,154 5,356 503 1,322 95 2,954 12,383 758 13,142 32,622 1,000 2,345 9,597 12,942 2,223 15,165 700 227 157 413 4,616 1,066 609 392 8,180 257 604 268 5,702 2,073 63 8,967 309 9,277 32,622 Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 26

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Sub- scribed capital Capital reserve¹ Other retained earnings Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income² Exchange differ- ences Fair value reserve Cash flow hedges Total Non- controlling interests Bertels- mann share- holders’ equity Share of other compre- hensive income of invest- ments account- ed for using the equity method 31 – in € millions Balance as of 1/1/2023 Group profit or loss Other comprehensive income Group total comprehensive income Dividend distributions Transactions with subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control³ Equity transactions with shareholders Other changes Balance as of 6/30/2023 Balance as of 1/1/2024 Group profit or loss Other comprehensive income Group total comprehensive income Dividend distributions Transactions with subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control³ Equity transactions with shareholders Other changes Balance as of 6/30/2024 1,000 – – – – – – – 1,000 1,000 – – – – – – – 1,000 2,345 – – – – – – – 2,345 2,345 – – – – – – – 2,345 9,043 116 15 131 (220) (90) (310) 6 8,870 9,574 318 41 359 (220) (58) (278) (3) 9,653 101 – (81) (81) – (3) (3) – 17 (16) – 53 53 – (12) (12) – 25 8 – – – – – – – 8 10 – – – – – – – 10 10 – (4) (4) – – – (1) 5 (1) – 10 10 – – – (1) 9 12,538 116 (71) 45 (220) (93) (313) 5 12,275 12,942 318 (1) (1) – – – – 30 30 – 1 1 – – – 105 423 (220) (70) (290) (1) 29 (5) 13,071 2,505 144 15,043 260 9 153 (267) (37) (304) (62) 198 (487) (130) (617) 37 2,391 42 14,666 2,223 98 15,165 416 (26) 72 (199) (123) (321) 80 495 (419) (193) (611) 18 1,992 14 15,063 1 The capital reserve mainly includes share premiums received from the issue of ordinary shares in excess of their par values. 2 As of June 30, 2024, no significant amounts relates to assets classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 (June 30, 2023: €-25 million). 3 Transactions with subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control mainly result from a further increase of the equity interest in the education company Afya and the share increase in Sourcebooks. In the previous year, transactions with subsidiaries that did not result in a loss of control mainly resulted from put options in connection with the share increase in Sourcebooks and from a further increase of the equity interest in the education company Afya. Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 28

Reconciliation to Operating EBITDA Adjusted in € millions EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) Less special items Adjustment to carrying amounts on assets held for sale Impairment (-)/reversals (+) on other financial assets at amortized cost Results from disposals of investments Fair value measurement of investments Reorganization expenses and other special items Less amortization/depreciation, impairment and reversals on intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets Less adjustments on amortization/depreciation, impairment and reversals on intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets included in special items Operating EBITDA adjusted H1 2024 680 – – 6 40 (86) (536) 7 1,249 H1 2023 509 (2) (2) 15 2 (216) (572) 9 1,275 Accounting Principles The Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA Interim Report has been prepared according to Section 115 of the German Securities Trading Act (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz – WpHG) and has been subject to a limited review by the Group’s auditor. It complies with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the related interpretations (IFRIC) of the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) applicable in the European Union (EU-IFRS), and contains Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, including selected explanatory notes. The Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all the information required for complete consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Bertelsmann Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2023. The Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared – with the exception of the financial reporting standards and interpretations applied for the first time in the current financial year – using fundamentally the same accounting and measurement policies as in the Consolidated Financial Statements of December 31, 2023. A detailed description of these policies is presented in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2023 Annual Report. The first-time application of new financial reporting standards had no material impact on the Bertelsmann Group. The Bertelsmann Group has not opted for early adoption of any standards, interpretations or amendments that have been issued but are not yet effective. A financial reporting standard that is not yet effective that will have a material impact on Bertelsmann is IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements. In April 2024, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) published the new accounting standard IFRS 18. IFRS 18 will replace the current IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and will amend IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows, IAS 33 Earnings Per Share and IAS 34 Interim Financial Statements. The new standard aims to improve how companies communicate information in their financial statements, with a focus on information about financial performance in the statement of profit or loss. The main changes from applying IFRS 18 means companies will: • in the statement of profit or loss: report two new defined subtotals including operating profit, based on a new set of requirements for classifying income and expenses in categories; in the notes: disclose information about some performance measures defined by management, which IFRS 18 identifies as management-defined performance measures (MPMs); and in both the primary financial statements and the notes: group items applying enhanced requirements for aggregation and disaggregation of information. • • Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 30

Acquisitions and Disposals In the first half of 2024, the cash flow from acquisition activities totaled €-293 million, of which €-238 million related to new acquisitions during the first half of the year less cash and cash equivalents acquired, and €-55 million related to payments in connection with acquisitions made in previous years. The consideration transferred in accordance with IFRS 3 totaled €282 million, taking into account contingent consideration of €4 million. Furthermore, at the time of initial consolidation, put options in the amount of €71 million were accounted for in relation to the acquisitions made by the RTL Group division. In January 2024, Penguin Random House acquired 100 percent of the shares in book publisher Hay House with operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and India. Hay House is one of the leading publishers of self-help, health and wellness in the United States. The consideration transferred amounted to €85 million, of which €50 million was paid in cash. The remaining consideration will be paid in four equal annual installments. The preliminary purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill of €36 million, which is attributable to the usage of the Hay House marketing channels for the expansion of the ecosystems around Penguin Random House authors and to cost synergies. Goodwill is tax-deductible and was allocated to the cash-generating unit Penguin Random House. In the first half of 2024, transaction-related costs were immaterial and were recognized in profit or loss as other operating expenses. Since initial consolidation, Hay House has contributed €35 million to revenue and €-2 million to Group profit or loss. In March 2024, Fremantle fully acquired the parent company of Asacha Media Group, a European production group based in France that owns interests in eight production companies in France, Italy and the United Kingdom. The acquisition complements Fremantle’s footprint in Europe and strengthens Fremantle’s position as home to top and new talent. The consideration transferred amounted to €133 million and was fully paid in cash. Additionally, as part of the acquisition agreement, Fremantle repaid the acquiree’s debt in the amount of €56 million immediately. At the time the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared, the accounting for the acquisition of Asacha was not completed. In particular, the valuations had not yet been finalized. Therefore, the fair values of identifiable assets – especially intangible assets – and liabilities acquired have only been determined provisionally and have not been recognized accordingly. The accounting for the acquisition will be revised in the second half of 2024, within the 12-month measurement period in accordance with IFRS 3. The transaction resulted in the recognition of preliminary goodwill of €209 million reflecting the strengthening of Fremantle’s market position in the United Kingdom, Italy and France as well as revenue and cost synergies. Goodwill is not tax-deductible and was allocated to the Fremantle cash-generating unit. In the first half of 2024, transaction-related costs amounted to €3 million and have been recognized in profit or loss as other operating expenses. Since initial consolidation, Asacha has contributed €30 million to Group revenue and €-2 million to Group profit or loss. If consolidated as of January 1, 2024, Asacha would have contributed €47 million to revenue and €-5 million to Group profit or loss. In addition, the Bertelsmann Group made several acquisitions in the first half of 2024, none of which was material on a stand-alone basis. In total, the impact of these acquisitions on the Group’s financial position and financial performance was also minor. Payments for these acquisitions, net of acquired cash and cash equivalents, amounted to €-37 million. The consideration transferred in accordance with IFRS 3 for these acquisitions amounted to €65 million, taking into account contingent consideration of €4 million. The other acquisitions resulted in goodwill totaling €33 million, which reflects synergy and future growth potential and is not tax-deductible. Transaction-related costs amounted to €1 million in the first half of 2024 and were recognized in profit or loss as other operating expenses. Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 32

The Bertelsmann Group made several disposals in the first half of 2024, none of which was material on a stand-alone basis. In total, the impact of these disposals on the Group’s financial position and financial performance was also minor. After considering cash and cash equivalents disposed of, the Bertelsmann Group recorded cash flows in the amount of €13 million from all disposals in the first half of 2024. The disposals resulted in a gain from deconsolidation of €11 million, which is recognized in the item “Results from disposals of investments.” The following table shows their impact on the Bertelsmann Group’s assets and liabilities at the time of deconsolidation. A significant portion of the reported carrying amounts relates to DDV Mediengruppe, which was held by the Bertelsmann Investments division and recognized as an asset held for sale as of December 31, 2023. Effects of Disposals in € millions Non-current assets Goodwill Other intangible assets Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets Other non-current assets Current assets Inventories Other current assets Cash and cash equivalents Liabilities Provisions for pensions and similar obligations Financial debt Lease liabilities Other financial and non-financial liabilities Total 18 2 31 3 4 29 13 4 4 5 70 Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 34

As of June 30, 2024, further assets classified as held for sale and related liabilities are attributable to a disposal group within the BMG division. For disposal groups which were measured at fair value less costs to sell, no impairment losses were recognized for planned or completed disposals. The fair values are based on level 3 of the hierarchy of non- recurring fair values. Valuations for level 3 are based on information from contract negotiations. The impairment losses recognized in profit or loss are included in the item “Other operating expenses.” As of December 31, 2023, the carrying amounts of the assets classified as held for sale and related liabilities were mainly attributable to RTL Nederland. In addition, DDV Mediengruppe was included as one of the assets held for sale in the item “Other.” For another disposal group classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2023, the necessary requirements were no longer met as of June 30, 2024, and a corresponding reclassification was made. Change in Bertelsmann Shareholders’ Equity In the first half of 2024, Bertelsmann Education Group further increased its interest in the Nasdaq-listed education company Afya and held as of June 30, 2024, 75 percent (December 31, 2023: 61 percent) of the voting rights and – after adjustment of treasury shares held by Afya – 63 percent (December 31, 2023: 50 percent) of the equity interest. The transaction was accounted for as an equity transaction in accordance with IFRS 10. The transaction resulted in a decrease of the equity attributable to the Bertelsmann shareholders in the amount of €107 million (thereof a decrease in the currency translation reserve in the amount of €11 million) and a decrease of the equity attributable to the non-controlling interests in the amount of €95 million. In the first half of 2024, Penguin Random House increased its investment in Sourcebooks LLC by 22 percent to 75 percent through the exercise of a put/call option (December 31, 2023: 53 percent). The transaction was accounted for as an equity transaction in accordance with IFRS 10. The transaction resulted in an increase of the equity attributable to the Bertelsmann shareholders in the amount of €22 million (thereof a decrease in the currency translation reserve in the amount of €1 million) and a decrease of the equity attributable to the non-controlling interests in the amount of €22 million. Foreign Currency Translation The following euro exchange rates were used for currency translation purposes for the most significant foreign currencies for the Bertelsmann Group: Foreign currency unit per €1 Australian dollar Brazilian real Canadian dollar Chinese renminbi British pound US dollar Average rates Closing rates H1 2024 1.6422 5.4922 1.4685 7.8011 0.8546 1.0813 H1 2023 1.5982 5.4840 1.4566 7.4893 0.8762 1.0807 6/30/2024 1.6079 5.8915 1.4670 7.7748 0.8464 1.0705 12/31/2023 1.6263 5.3618 1.4642 7.8509 0.8691 1.1050 6/30/2023 1.6398 5.2788 1.4415 7.8983 0.8583 1.0866 AUD BRL CAD CNY GBP USD Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 36

RTL Group Penguin Random House H1 2023 BMG Arvato Group Bertelsmann Marketing Services Bertelsmann Education Group Bertelsmann Investments Total divisions¹ 96 174 1,535 1,297 3,102 1,055 628 129 690 512 88 3,102 1,075 2,027 3,102 1,981 79 – 38 2,098 137 3 209 168 1,233 348 2,098 2,019 79 2,098 44 4 – 364 412 49 29 42 42 217 33 412 102 310 412 30 2,603 – – 2,633 929 248 215 803 248 190 2,633 33 2,600 2,633 8 601 7 – 616 397 26 44 80 64 5 616 14 602 616 3 427 – – 430 2 – – – 165 263 430 5 425 430 38 145 20 1 204 122 2 1 11 10 58 204 42 162 204 2,200 4,033 1,562 1,700 9,495 2,691 936 640 1,794 2,449 985 9,495 3,290 6,205 9,495 in € millions Revenue Sources Own products and merchandise Services Advertising Rights and licenses Geographical Areas Germany France United Kingdom Other European countries United States Other countries Timing Point in time Over time 1 Excluding Corporate activities. Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 38

Carrying Amounts and Measurement Categories of Financial Liabilities in € millions Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost – profit participation capital – bonds and promissory notes – liabilities to banks – other financial debt – trade payables – liabilities to participations – payables relating to the receivables management service provided – payables relating to sold receivables – payables from transfer of cash and cash equivalents to financial intermediaries – other Primary financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss Derivative financial instruments Continuing involvement Balance sheet position Profit participation capital Financial debt Financial debt Financial debt Trade and other payables Trade and other payables Trade and other payables Trade and other payables Trade and other payables Trade and other payables Trade and other payables Trade and other payables Trade and other payables 6/30/2024 12/31/2023 413 4,864 171 198 3,946 14 81 77 – 1,217 140 57 254 11,431 413 4,862 152 207 4,367 19 71 45 41 1,150 271 128 220 11,944 The amounts recognized in the items “Payables relating to the receivables management service provided,” “Payables relating to sold receivables,” “Payables from transfer of cash and cash equivalents to financial intermediaries” and “Continuing involvement” relate to the Riverty business unit. The principles and methods used for fair value measurement remain unchanged compared to those used in the previous year. Only disclosures on financial instruments that are significant to an understanding of the changes in financial position and financial performance since the end of the last financial year are explained below. These explanations relate in particular to the disclosure of financial instruments measured at fair value depending on the different levels of the fair value hierarchy. No fair values are disclosed for financial instruments not measured at fair value whose carrying amount is a reasonable approximation. The following hierarchy is used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. Level 1: The fair value of the listed financial instruments is determined on the basis of stock exchange listings at the end of the reporting period, if there are no contractual lockups. Level 2: For measuring the fair value of unlisted derivatives, Bertelsmann uses various financial methods reflecting the prevailing market conditions and risks at the respective balance sheet dates. Irrespective of the type of financial instrument, future cash flows are discounted at the end of the reporting period based on the respective market interest rates and yield curves applicable at the end of the reporting period. The fair value of forward exchange transactions is calculated using the average spot prices applicable at the end of the reporting period and taking into account forward markdowns and markups for the remaining term of the transactions. The fair value of interest rate derivatives is calculated on the basis of the respective market rates and yield curves applicable at the end of the reporting period. The fair value of forward commodity transactions is derived from the stock exchange listings published at the end of the reporting period. Any mismatches to the standardized stock exchange contracts are reflected through interpolation or additions. The fair values of the money market funds correspond to the price quotations of the funds not directly listed on the stock exchange. Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 40

trading The market value of the 2001 profit participation certificates with a closing rate of 267.80 percent on the last day of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange was €761 million (December 31, 2023: €719 million with a rate of 253.00 percent) and, correspondingly, €22 million for the 1992 profit participation certificates with a rate of 130.00 percent (December 31, 2023: €22 million with a rate of 128.22 percent). The market values are based on level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. first half of 2024 on in the the listed bonds the cumulative market value of On June 30, 2024, totaled €4,153 million (December 31, 2023: €4,178 million) with a nominal volume of €4,322 million (December 31, 2023: €4,330 million) and a carrying amount of €4,290 million (December 31, 2023: €4,289 million). The stock market prices are based on level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. On June 30, 2024, the total carrying amount of the private placements and promissory notes totaled €574 million (December 31, 2023: €574 million), and the total market value amounted to €561 million (December 31, 2023: €563 million). The market values of private placements and promissory notes are determined using actuarial methods based on yield curves adjusted for the Group’s credit margin. This credit margin results from the market price for credit default swaps at the end of the respective reporting periods. Fair value is measured on the basis of discount rates ranging from 3.35 percent to 3.87 percent. The fair values of the private placements and promissory notes are based on level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value Categorized Using the Fair Value Measurement Hierarchy in € millions Loans Minority stakes held by venture capital organizations Fund-of-fund investments held by venture capital organizations Receivables relating to financial services for resale to financial intermediaries Sundry financial receivables Other financial assets Cash equivalents Primary and derivative financial assets held for trading Derivatives with hedge relation Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets – 90 – – – 431 – – – 521 Level 2: Observable market data – – – – – 6 628 22 13 668 Level 3: Unobservable market data 37 1,055 157 312 1 93 – – – 1,655 Balance as of 6/30/2024 37 1,145 157 312 1 530 628 22 13 2,844 Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 42

Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Based on Level 3 in € millions Balance as of 1/1/2024 Total gain (-) or loss (+) – in profit or loss – in other comprehensive income Purchases Settlements Reclassifications and other changes Balance as of 6/30/2024 Gain (-) or loss (+) from liabilities still held at the end of the reporting period Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss 271 11 6 5 12 (110) (44) 140 6 Total 271 11 6 5 12 (110) (44) 140 6 The settlements in the first half of 2024 mainly relate to liabilities from put options as part of the acquisition of further shares in Sourcebooks LLC and earn-out liabilities in connection with an acquisition by the Bertelsmann Investments division in the 2023 financial year. Reclassifications and other changes are mainly due to the non-exercise of put options. There were no transfers into or out of level 3 in the first half of 2024. income to the The effective portion of changes in the fair value of a cash flow hedge is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income until the effects of the hedged underlying transaction affect profit or loss, or until a basis adjustment occurs. In the first half of 2024, €-1 million (H1 2023: €-1 million) from the cash flow hedge reserve was recognized as a reduction of the initial costs of non-financial assets. Losses of €29 million relating to cash flow hedges (H1 2023: gain of €13 million) were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the reclassification amount is included in the item “Cash flow hedges – reclassification adjustments to profit or loss.” The reclassification to the income statement primarily affected the item “Other financial expenses” totaling €-30 million (H1 2023: “Other financial income” of €19 million and “Other financial expenses” of €-4 million). The portion remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income as of June 30, 2024, will mainly impact the income statement over the next years. Bertelsmann exercised the option not to designate the forward elements and foreign currency basis spreads as part of the hedging relationship, but to recognize them separately in equity as hedging costs for individual hedges. As of December 31, 2023, there was a minor ineffective portion of cash flow hedges as of June 30, 2024. income statement. These are amounts before tax. In In the first half of 2024, the effects from fair value hedges for hedging interest rate risks led to an increase of the carrying amount of the reported financial debt in the amount of €7 million (H1 2023: increase of €3 million). The carrying amount of the hedged item (including cumulative fair value adjustments) amounted to €928 million as of the end of the reporting period (December 31, 2023: €920 million). As of December 31, 2023, there was a minor ineffective portion of fair value hedges as of June 30, 2024. Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 44

Other Information The Bertelsmann Group’s core business is subject to significant seasonal fluctuations, and in the current financial year may also be impacted by additional economic challenges and related uncertainties as a result of external events, such as geopolitical tensions. The balance sheet effects are therefore being continuously analyzed for the particularly relevant issues, which are impairment of goodwill and individual assets, leasing, royalties, program rights, inventories, trade receivables, government grants, deferred tax assets, losses from onerous contracts as well as revenues. As a result of the current business development, it was not deemed necessary to recognize an impairment loss on goodwill, even in light of the geopolitical and economic uncertainty. This also refers to the accounting areas deemed vulnerable, for which no material negative effects on the financial position or financial performance of the Bertelsmann Group are currently anticipated. The assessment is based on discretionary judgments, estimates and assumptions that contain additional uncertainties in the current situation characterized by geopolitical and economic challenges. Management is of the opinion that these uncertainties have been taken into account to an adequate degree. In a financial year unaffected by additional events, revenues and operating result generally are expected to be higher in the second half of the year compared to the first. These higher revenues are due to increasing demand during the year-end holiday season, in particular in advertising-driven businesses and the publishing business, as well as to the customary seasonality in the music business. The seasonality of advertising- driven business may deviate in 2024 from historical comparisons considering the ongoing geopolitical tensions and general economic uncertainty. The decline in revenue is mainly due to the sale of shares in the customer experience company Majorel in the financial year 2023. In addition, the headcount reduction also associated with the sale led to a reduction in personnel costs in the first half of 2024. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life are tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 annually as of December 31 and if a triggering event occurs. The key assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for the different cash-generating units were disclosed in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023. Due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the economic uncertainty on the global markets, the assumptions for impairment testing overall continue to be subject to increased uncertainty and extended discretionary judgment in the context of cash flow forecasts. As of June 30, 2024, Bertelsmann reviewed parameters that may indicate a decrease in the recoverable amount of cash-generating units during the first half of 2024. In particular, the current performance of cash- generating units has been compared with forecasts and market data as well as with financial parameters (discount rate and long-term growth rate) used as of December 31, 2023. This includes analyzing adherence to budget on an individual cash-generating unit level, monitoring the development of individual discount rates (WACC) and considering headroom in the latest impairment test. During impairment testing and despite the ongoing economic uncertainties, the Bertelsmann Group did not identify any triggering events for its significant goodwill-bearing cash-generating units as of June 30, 2024, with the exception of the cash- generating unit Fremantle. For this cash-generating unit, the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model has been updated. The DCF model for Fremantle was based on a revised discount rate of 7.3 percent (December 31, 2023: 8.0 percent) and a long-term growth rate of 1.8 percent (December 31, 2023: 1.8 percent) resulting in a headroom of €490 million, which increased compared with December 31, 2023. Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 46

Responsibility Statement To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable reporting principles for interim financial reporting, the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group, and the Group Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the material opportunities and risks associated with the expected performance of the Group for the remaining months of the financial year. Gütersloh, August 26, 2024 Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, Represented by: Bertelsmann Management SE, the general partner Executive Board Thomas Rabe Carsten Coesfeld Thomas Coesfeld Rolf Hellermann Immanuel Hermreck Responsibility Statement Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 48

Production Credits Publisher Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA Carl-Bertelsmann-Strasse 270 33311 Gütersloh Germany Responsible Karin Schlautmann Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA Executive Vice President Corporate Communications Project Management Simone Fratczak Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA Corporate Communications Contact For Journalists Phone: +49 (0) 52 41-80-24 66 press@bertelsmann.com Investor Relations Phone: +49 (0) 52 41-80-23 42 investor.relations@bertelsmann.de Recruiting Services createyourowncareer@bertelsmann.com www.createyourowncareer.com Corporate Responsibility Phone: +49 (0) 52 41-80-750 21 responsibility@bertelsmann.com Translation and Proofreading Sprachenfabrik GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany Photo Credits Sebastian Pfütze, Berlin, Germany The Interim Report and current information about Bertelsmann are also posted on: www.bertelsmann.com The Interim Report is also available in German. Additional Information Bertelsmann Interim Report 2024 50