Observed Signal · Aug 18, 2026 · Measurement Report · Source: DWDL · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Die Verräter posts weakest launch ever
RTL's fourth season of Die Verräter has posted weak linear-TV ratings across its launch and first block of episodes, according to AGF SCOPE / AGF Videoforschung and DWDL.de (Uwe Mantel, 2026-08-18). The linear premiere averaged 1.25 million viewers with a 6.1% overall market share and a record-low 7.6% in the 14–49 demo; season 3 began roughly 0.5 million viewers higher and season 1 over 1.9 million. After four of eight episodes aired the series showed a small uptick to 1.20 million on Thursday, but remained low in 14–49 (≈200,000 viewers; 7.2% share; low of 5.6% on Tuesday) while 14–59 reached 8.4% on Thursday. On RTL+, the brand achieved a streaming net reach of 0.521 million the week the first two episodes were published. Later RTL programming (Stern TV, RTL aktuell) performed noticeably stronger.
Linear audience declines for a major broadcaster title affect TV inventory value and advertiser reach planning; combined linear+streaming reach figures (AGF SCOPE) are relevant for cross-platform campaign measurement and media planning.
Track AGF Videoforschung Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Linear premiere averaged 1.25 million viewers with a 6.1% overall market share; 14–49 share was a record-low 7.6% (14–59: 8.2%).
- After four of eight episodes, the show reached 1.20 million on Thursday; 14–49 ≈200,000 viewers (7.2% share), low of 5.6% on Tuesday; 14–59 was 8.4% on Thursday.
- Streaming: RTL+ program brand achieved a streaming net reach of 0.521 million in the week the first two episodes were published.
- Comparisons: Season 3's launch had about 0.5 million more linear viewers; season 1's launch had over 1.9 million linear viewers.
- Later RTL programming outperformed the series: Stern TV had 860,000 viewers (9.8% in 14–49); RTL aktuell drew 2.31 million (19.7% in 14–49).
Connected Companies & Entities
10 Entities mapped“Source of the data for this article: AGF Videoforschung (AGF SCOPE 1.15 is cited as the dataset)....”
“The piece is published on DWDL.de (© DWDL.de GmbH, 2001-2026)....”
“Top 5 market shares (all viewers) listed in the article include ZDF among the leaders for that day....”
“Top 5 market shares (all viewers) listed in the article include Das Erste (ARD) among the leaders for that day....”
“Top 5 market shares (all viewers) listed in the article include ZDFneo among the leaders for that day....”
“Top 5 market shares (all viewers) listed in the article include VOX among the leaders for that day....”
“The article notes hope that the launch might at least create a promotional effect for RTL+, where the broadcast began two weeks earlier....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
RTL's 'Die Verräter' Sees Viewership Increase
DWDL reports, citing AGF SCOPE / AGF Videoforschung (SCOPE 1.15), that RTL's Die Verräter reached a season high ahead of the finale on Tuesday (26 August 2026), drawing roughly 1.36–1.39 million viewers overall. The show posted a first‑time double‑digit 14–49 market share this year (10.0%, about 270,000 viewers) and reached 9.7% in the extended 14–59 demo (≈610,000). An earlier weekly comparison noted 250,000 viewers (8.2%) in 14–49 and a 7.2% share among all viewers. Sat.1's Das große Backen delivered a season‑high total reach of 1.10 million with 8.9% (14–49) and 8.5% (extended). ProSieben's Timon Krause closed its season with 410,000 viewers (5.0% in 14–49); the follow‑up documentary drew 340,000.
‘Verräter’ and ‘Villa’ Gain, ‘Beet-Brüdern’ Still Lead
German TV ratings for Monday, 24 August 2026 show RTL’s reality show "Die Verräter" gained slightly in week two (1.28 million average viewers) while Sat.1’s reality "Villa der Versuchung" improved to about 750,000 viewers. Both remained behind Vox’s "Die Beet-Brüder," which led private broadcasters with about 1.05 million viewers and a 9.1% market share in the core target. The article cites AGF Videoforschung (AGF SCOPE 1.15) as the data source and lists top channels and top programs (e.g., ZDF and ARD leading daily market shares and Tagesschau as top-rated program). Other channel performances (ProSieben, RTLzwei, Kabel Eins) and program-specific market shares are also reported.
"Die Verräter" Lose Ground to Strong "TV Total"
A DWDL.de report of TV audience figures for August 18, 2026 shows RTL's event-format "Die Verräter" declined further on day two, while ProSieben's "TV Total" gained viewers, winning the primetime slot among younger audiences. "Die Verräter" fell to 1.18 million viewers (down 70,000 from the prior day) and lost share in the 14–49 demographic. ProSieben's "TV Total" reached 910,000 total viewers and 400,000 in the 14–49 group (12.4% market share), with the "TV Total Stand-up Club" also performing well. AGF Videoforschung (AGF SCOPE 1.15) is cited as the data source.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.