Observed Signal · Aug 23, 2026 · Programming Change · Source: DWDL · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
RTL halts 'Top Dog Germany' after five seasons
RTL has confirmed it will not commission further episodes of the dog competition show 'Top Dog Germany' after five seasons. A network spokesperson told DWDL.de that no new episodes are currently planned, though a future return is not ruled out. The programme was produced by RTL Studios and delivered reliable ratings—averaging over 11% market share in the 14–49 demo and roughly 1.3 million viewers overall—yet RTL is prioritising the German adaptation of 'Gladiators', presented by Laura Wontorra, Frank Buschmann and Jan Köppen. The news was published by DWDL.de on 2026-08-23.
A broadcaster scheduling decision with modest impact on TV programming and advertiser inventory; notable for RTL's lineup but not industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- RTL confirmed that no new episodes of 'Top Dog Germany' are currently planned.
- 'Top Dog Germany' has run for five seasons and was produced by RTL Studios.
- The show averaged more than 11% market share in the 14–49 age group and about 1.3 million viewers overall.
- Presenters Laura Wontorra, Frank Buschmann and Jan Köppen will present the German adaptation of 'Gladiators', which RTL is prioritising.
- Article published on DWDL.de on 2026-08-23 by Alexander Krei.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“The report was published by DWDL.de (© DWDL.de GmbH, 2001-2026).”
“The German adaptation of 'Gladiators' is already available to stream on Prime Video.”
“RTL confirmed the show is temporarily discontinued and that there is currently no space in this year's schedule for 'Top Dog Germany'.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
RTL pulls 'Diese Ochsenknechts' from schedule
RTL has removed repeats of the fifth season of the Sky series 'Diese Ochsenknechts' from its Sunday evening free-TV schedule with immediate effect after low audience figures. The show, which has run for five seasons on Sky, aired on RTL in early July at 19:10 but saw viewership fall from 570,000 for the first episode to 410,000 for the most recent broadcast; the 14–49 market share dropped from 5.2% to 3.0%. RTL will instead run repeats of 'Versicherungsdetektive' (2020) in the coming weeks. All five episodes of 'Diese Ochsenknechts' remain available on Sky, Wow and RTL+ for on-demand viewing.
RTL+ won't continue 'Princess Charming' for now
RTL+ has no current plans to continue the lesbian dating show 'Princess Charming' after five seasons, the streaming service confirmed to DWDL.de. Producer Yvonne Plume announced the decision in a LinkedIn post and said the show's new nomination for the German Television Award felt like a meaningful recognition but also a source of sadness. RTL's spokesperson told DWDL.de that no new season is planned at present, though a future comeback is not ruled out. 'Princess Charming' premiered in 2021, ran five seasons, and its most recent season (summer 2025) ended amid headlines after a relationship developed and an early termination occurred. The production company Seapoint also faces another setback: it will lose the production mandate for 'Let's Dance' from 2028 when BBC Studios takes over.
RTL to Stop Producing Daily Soap 'Unter uns'
RTL has announced the cancellation of its long-running daily soap opera 'Unter uns' after 32 years, with production ceasing at the end of 2026 and final episodes airing on RTL and RTL+ until March 2027. The decision follows shifting economic conditions and declining linear TV ratings, with average viewership dropping from nearly 1 million in 2022 to just over 600,000 recently, and reach in the 14-49 demographic often falling below 100,000. Performance on RTL+ was also insufficient. Producer UFA Serial Drama will explore alternative distribution options and new partnerships to continue the brand. Meanwhile, RTL's collaboration with UFA on other soaps like 'Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten' remains unaffected, and 'Alles was zählt' celebrated its 20th anniversary with stable ratings.
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