die medienanstalten vs DWDL.de

Digital Radio Listening Rises: 66% Use DAB+ or Webradio

According to the 'Audio Trends 2026' study by the German media authorities (die Medienanstalten), 66% of radio listeners in Germany used digital reception paths (DAB+ or webradio) in the past four weeks, reaching a far listener circle of about 42 million people. This marks an increase from 64% in the previous year. Daily digital radio usage also grew to 42% of listeners. DAB+ remains the leading digital path, with 25 million users in four weeks, up by three percentage points. Webradio reached over 17 million users in four weeks. Household equipment is also expanding: 41% of households now own at least one DAB+ device, and over a quarter of the population has a DAB+ car radio. The study is based on a special evaluation of the ma Audio data by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Media-Analyse (agma).

• 66% of German radio listeners used DAB+ or webradio in the past four weeks (up from 64%).
• Reach: approximately 42 million people (far listener circle).
• Daily digital radio usage: 42% of listeners, accounting for nearly a quarter of total radio usage.

Gesetzesentwurf der europäischen Kommission EU KIDS Act: Kinder schützen statt Regeln stapeln

Die Medienanstalten 17.09.2026 09/2026 Für einen wirksamen Kinder- und Jugendschutz braucht es die konsequente Anwendung bestehender europäischer Vorgaben Aufsicht Jugendmedienschutz Regulierung

EU KIDS Act: Kinder schützen statt Regeln stapeln

Die Medienanstalten positionieren sich zum EU KIDS Act: Für einen wirksamen Kinder- und Jugendschutz braucht es die konsequente Anwendung bestehender europäischer Vorgaben.

Real Innovation in TV Entertainment Has Become Rare

In an interview, German Television Award jury member and DWDL.de editor Alexander Krei discusses trends in non-fictional television entertainment. He notes that rising budget pressures across broadcasting houses have made genuine innovation rare, particularly on major show stages. However, exceptions exist, such as Sat.1's reality format 'Villa der Versuchung' and public broadcasting's 'Die Werwölfe'. Krei also observes a shift in comedy, where establishing new TV formats has become increasingly difficult due to competition from niche platforms like TikTok, prompting a strategic focus on evolving existing established brands like 'TV total' and 'Die Anstalt'.

• Alexander Krei, a jury member for the German Television Award, notes that budget pressures are stifling television show innovation.
• Sat.1 introduced 'Villa der Versuchung,' a German-developed reality format focusing on financial elements.
• Public broadcasters in Germany successfully experimented with reality TV through the format 'Die Werwölfe'.

Giovanni Zarrella Achieves Highest Market Share Since Early 2024

ZDF's first open-air edition of The Giovanni Zarrella Show, recorded at the ZDF-Fernsehgarten, attracted about 2.9 million viewers on Saturday evening and achieved a 16.8% overall market share — the highest for the program in roughly two and a half years. The show logged 9.1% among 14–49 year‑olds and 10.5% among 14–59 year‑olds. The late news program heute-journal that followed reached 2.14 million viewers and a 17.1% market share, while Aktuelle Sportstudio drew 1.35 million viewers (16.2% overall, 8.4% in 14–49). Daily market shares for Das Erste and ZDF were each 13.1%. AGF Videoforschung / AGF SCOPE 1.15 is cited as the data source for the ratings.

• ZDF broadcast the first open-air edition of The Giovanni Zarrella Show, recorded at the ZDF-Fernsehgarten.
• The Giovanni Zarrella Show drew approximately 2.9 million viewers and a 16.8% overall market share.
• Demographic ratings: 9.1% market share (age 14–49) and 10.5% (age 14–59) for the show.

ProSieben Reshuffles Monday Sitcom Lineup

ProSieben will change its Monday evening sitcom schedule effective 14 September after three weeks of weak ratings. The broadcaster will air four consecutive Germany-premiere episodes of Georgie & Mandy, pushing Ted roughly 55 minutes later to about 22:05 (with a new-season episode followed by a season-1 repeat). St. Denis Medical will move to a later 23:15 slot with back-to-back episodes airing as Free-TV premieres. The changes follow disappointing audience figures since the August 10 schedule rollout: Georgie & Mandy averaged 6.6% in the key 14–49 demo (with wide fluctuation), Ted’s new episodes peaked at 4.3%, and St. Denis Medical averaged just above 2%, hitting a low of 0.5% (approx. 60,000 total viewers) in the demo.

• ProSieben will restructure its Monday evening schedule effective 2026-09-14.
• Four episodes of the sitcom 'Georgie & Mandy' will air back-to-back as Germany premieres.
• The show 'Ted' will be delayed by about 55 minutes to a ~22:05 start and will present a new second-season episode followed by a season-1 repeat.