SAT.1 vs waipu.tv

German TV Ratings: ProSieben Quiz Improves, NFL Strong on RTL

On Sunday evening, ProSieben's 'Ein sehr gutes Quiz (mit hoher Gewinnsumme)' improved slightly with a 9.2% market share among 14-49 year olds, up 0.3 points, but remained below earlier seasons. RTL's NFL coverage drew up to 630,000 viewers, with the early game achieving a 10.7% share among the younger demographic. Sat.1's 'Promi Big Brother' regained strength with 9.4% share and 1.15 million total viewers, its best since the entry show. Vox's repeat of a cooking pilot outperformed a new episode, while Kabel Eins's movie performed well. Overall, the article provides detailed ratings data from AGF Videoforschung for German private broadcasters.

• ProSieben's 'Ein sehr gutes Quiz' reached 9.2% market share among 14-49 year olds, up 0.3 percentage points.
• RTL's NFL evening game drew 520,000-630,000 viewers, with early quarter at 10.7% share among 14-49.
• Sat.1's 'Promi Big Brother' achieved 9.4% share and 1.15 million viewers, its best since the entry show.

ZDF dominates final weighted TV ratings gains

The ZDF public broadcaster dominated the ranking of TV programs that gained the most audience through final weighted data for the week of October 5-11, 2026. The 'heute-show' gained an additional 1.04 million viewers, reaching 4.42 million total, while the 'ZDF Magazin Royale' added 310,000 viewers. Among private broadcasters, Sat.1's 'Promi Big Brother' notably benefited from the revised figures, with each episode seeing increases between 140,000 and 230,000 viewers. RTL's early evening soaps also showed positive adjustments. The final weighted data, which incorporates time-shifted viewing and broader household samples, is considered the industry standard, though it receives less attention than preliminary figures. DWDL.de analyzed the differences between preliminary and final data.

• ZDF's 'heute-show' gained 1.04 million viewers in final weighted ratings, reaching 4.42 million total viewers.
• The 'ZDF Magazin Royale' added 310,000 viewers through final weighting, boosting its young adult market share by 6.2 percentage points to 24.6%.
• Sat.1's 'Promi Big Brother' episodes each gained between 140,000 and 230,000 viewers after final weighting.

ProSieben's 'Jenke. Report' Attracts Older Audience

ProSieben's 'Jenke. Report' scored strong ratings on Thursday evening, drawing 930,000 total viewers, including 420,000 in the 14-49 age group, achieving a 12.2% market share in that key demo. The show also attracted an older audience, with a 9.4% market share among 14-59 year-olds. Later episodes of 'Jenke. Crime' saw lower reach but still performed well in the key demo. Meanwhile, Sat.1's 'Promi Big Brother' stayed above one million viewers, while Kabel Eins' 'Rosins Restaurants' struggled with only 390,000 viewers and a 2.8% market share.

• 'Jenke. Report' achieved 930,000 total viewers and 420,000 in the 14-49 age group.
• The show reached a 12.2% market share in the 14-49 demographic.
• ProSieben attracted an older audience with a 9.4% market share among 14-59 year-olds.

Fernsehen 2030: Zuschauer wollen KI, aber die Kontrolle behalten

Aktuelle waipu.tv Umfrage zum Fernsehverhalten in 4 - 5 Jahren. Wie entwickeln sich die Einflüsse von KI auf das Entertainmentverhalten und was beschäftigt die Menschen in Deutschland schon heute.

44% of Germans Struggle to Find TV Content Despite Abundance

A representative survey commissioned by TV provider Waipu.TV, conducted in August 2026 among over a thousand Germans, reveals a widespread content discovery dilemma. 44% of respondents say they cannot always find suitable programming despite extensive offerings, and an equal share sometimes end up watching nothing after extended searching. Only 30% know immediately what to watch upon arriving home. The survey also highlights strong consumer demand for simpler content discovery: 45% want easier findability, and 35% desire all content on a single surface. A majority (59%) would welcome AI-powered content suggestions, yet only 4% would allow AI to autonomously select films or plan their TV evening. Markus Härtenstein, CEO of Exaring AG, Waipu.TV's operator, emphasizes the need for simple access to entertainment variety and for AI to aid discovery while keeping the final choice personal.

• 44% of German respondents find no suitable TV program despite large content choice.
• 44% of respondents sometimes stop watching altogether after a prolonged search.
• 45% of respondents desire easier content findability; 35% want all content on one interface.

Freenet acquires full control of waipu.tv

German mobile carrier Freenet AG is acquiring the remaining 25% stake in Exaring AG, operator of online TV platform waipu.tv, from minority shareholders for an initial €76 million, valuing the company at around €300 million. Additional performance-based earn-out payments of up to €50 million may follow based on future success. The acquisition, fully financed from liquid funds, abandons plans for a waipu.tv IPO. Freenet sees waipu.tv's IPTV offering as a strategic growth driver in the German market, including potential in programmatic advertising, and maintains its dividend outlook. Waipu.tv serves approximately two million customers and holds a 20-25% market share in German IPTV. CEO Robin Harries and CFO Ingo Arnold highlighted the strategic benefits.

• Freenet acquires remaining 25% of Exaring AG, owner of waipu.tv, for initial €76 million.
• Company valuation is about €300 million; earn-out payments up to €50 million are possible.
• Acquisition is fully financed from liquid funds.