Ad-hoc-release

Ad-hoc-release | Gütersloh, 02/02/2010

Cash offer for profit participation Certificates issued 2001

Ad hoc Release according to § 15 WpHG

Bertelsmann AG solicits holders of the Profit Participation Certificates issued 2001 to submit offers to sell

Bertelsmann AG solicits the holders of the profit participation certificates issued 2001 (ISIN DE0005229942, WKN 522994) which are admitted to trading on the regulated market of Frankfurt Stock Exchange and Düsseldorf Stock Exchange to submit offers to sell these profit participation certificates at a price of 180 percent. The offer period starts on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 and is expected to end on February 22, 2010, 5:00 pm (Frankfurt am Main local time).

The volume of the acceptance of offers to sell will be limited, subject to a subsequent increase, to an aggregate par value of the profit participation certificates of EUR 150,000,000. The solicitation of offers to sell by Bertelsmann AG is aimed at optimizing the capital structure.

The solicitation will not be made to any U.S. Person or citizen of the Republic of Italy or person in the U.S.A. or Italy and will be subject to further restrictions.

For press enquiries:
Bertelsmann AG
Andreas Grafemeyer
Corporate Communications
Tel. +49 (0) 52 41 – 80 24 66
andreas.grafemeyer@bertelsmann.de

For enquiries of investors:
Bertelsmann AG
Henrik Pahls
Corporate Finance
Tel. +49 (0) 52 41 – 80 23 42
henrik.pahls@bertelsmann.de

Bertelsmann AG, Carl-Bertelsmann-Str. 270, 33311 Gütersloh