i&u Studios vs ITV

RTL to End 'Stern TV am Sonntag'

RTL will discontinue the magazine show "Stern TV am Sonntag" after the current season, with the final episode scheduled for 2026-09-06. Launched in 2022, the Sunday edition consistently delivered low ratings—single-digit market shares in the 14–49 target group and reach below one million viewers—prompting RTL to focus on the Wednesday edition and new formats. Recent changes to the programme included a presenter change (Steffen Hallaschka stepped down earlier this year and editorial director Stefan Uhl took over), a shift in recording days, and a production-site move from EMG-Studios in Hürth to the Bavaria-Studios in Cologne. Since last year the Sunday edition has been produced by i&u Studios; RTL told turi2 it has already agreed several other formats with the production company.

• RTL will end the show "Stern TV am Sonntag" after the current season.
• The last episode of "Stern TV am Sonntag" is scheduled for 2026-09-06.
• "Stern TV am Sonntag" launched in 2022 and consistently recorded single-digit market shares in the 14–49 demographic and reach under one million viewers.

Sarah Tacke launches new ZDF summer talk

Journalist Sarah Tacke will present a five-episode summer talk on ZDF under her name. The format combines street-recorded vox pops with a live studio discussion that begins with three guests (a decision-maker, an affected person, and an expert) and later introduces a surprise fourth guest. The show is produced with i&u Studios, deliberately omits a studio audience, and uses QR-code polling to capture viewers' opinions at the start and end of each episode. Tacke, who leads ZDF's legal and justice editorial team and presents the reportage series “Am Puls” as well as programs such as WISO and ZDF spezial, says the program aims to bring more reality-based depth to societal debates. After five episodes, Maybrit Illner will return to the time slot. The first episode addresses consequences after the attack on the Berlin CSD.

• Sarah Tacke will host a five-episode summer talk series titled "Sarah Tacke" on ZDF.
• The program combines pre-recorded street interviews with a live studio format starting with three guests (a decision-maker, an affected person, and an expert) and later adding a surprise fourth guest.
• The show is produced with i&u Studios, has no studio audience, and uses QR-code polling to measure viewer opinion at the start and end of each episode.

Leonine launches Leonine C_ label

Leonine Studios has created a new label, Leonine C_, to centralize its branded- and creator-entertainment efforts. Built from the former digital unit of Cologne-based i&u Studios, the label — led by Jochen Köstler and located in Cologne — will develop platform-native formats with creators to help brands reach communities. Leonine positions Leonine C_ as a label (not a separate company) and cites prior projects such as "Love Hunter," "Splash House" and the YouTube channel "Breaking Lab." CEO Fred Kogel framed the move as a logical next step following Leonine's work on branded formats and the creator-marketing platform HOT (Home Of Talents). The launch follows an industry trend of production companies creating dedicated creator-focused units.

• Leonine Studios launched a new label called Leonine C_ to focus on branded and creator entertainment.
• Leonine C_ is formed out of the former digital unit of Cologne-based i&u Studios and will be based in Cologne.
• Jochen Köstler will lead Leonine C_ and holds overall responsibility for all non-fiction productions at the Leonine Group.

GVTLabs launches AskGVT to make video content searchable

GVTLabs, founded by InfoSum's Nick Halstead, has emerged from stealth with AskGVT, an AI product that makes video content searchable. The tool allows users to query a creator's video feed and receive text-based answers along with relevant video clips. It differentiates itself by sourcing answers solely from the creator's own videos, preserving their voice and expertise. Creators can offer access to their AskPage via day, week, or monthly passes, control which videos are searchable, and use a Studio for content planning. Enterprise products include GVTLabs Studio, Roster, and Channels for media companies and rights holders to mine their archives for insights or campaign planning. The company has appointed Rhys McLachlan, formerly ITV's Director of Addressable Advertising, as Head of Media Partnerships.

• GVTLabs launched AskGVT, an AI product for searching video content.
• AskGVT allows users to query a creator's video feed and receive text answers with video clips.
• Creators can monetize access to their AskPage via day, week, or monthly passes.

RTL Ad Alliance Expands to Spain

RTL AdAlliance, the international sales house owned by RTL Group, has formally launched in Spain by opening its first office in the country. The expansion is part of its 'Total Video' strategy, offering advertisers a single access point to premium European video inventory from broadcasters such as RTL, ITV, M6, Rai, and France Télévisions. The new office, led by VP of International Sales Artur Kobryn and a dedicated team, will sell TV and online video inventory. To support its growth, RTL AdAlliance has formed a strategic alliance with local broadcaster Atresmedia Publicidad. This move aims to compete for international advertising budgets that might otherwise go to US tech giants, capitalizing on Spain's fast-growing digital video advertising market. The initiative is part of a broader European expansion strategy led by CEO Stéphane Coruble.

• RTL AdAlliance has opened its first Spanish office and formally launched in Spain.
• The company formed a strategic alliance with Atresmedia Publicidad to support its growth.
• The office will sell TV/video inventory for European broadcasters including RTL, ITV, M6, Rai, and France Télévisions.

Transaction in Own Shares

ITV announces a transaction in own shares dated 17/08/2026.