Observed Signal · Jun 29, 2026 · Brand / Programming Relaunch · Source: Meedia · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
RTL Radio adopts 'Feel Good Music' brand
RTL Radio has rebranded nationwide under the new brand promise “Feel Good Music,” replacing its previous claim “Deutschlands Hit-Radio.” The station shifts its music programming to a broader mix from the 1980s to today, moving toward an Adult-Contemporary orientation and focusing on a positive listening experience rather than pure hit rotation. RTL Radio will also bring back more moderated daytime programming: from 3 August 2026 the station plans to resume live/more-hosted segments, with Simon Kober slated for the morning show. CEO Nina Gerhardt is leading the repositioning, which the publisher says responds to changed listener needs.
National broadcaster RTL Radio has changed brand positioning and programming; relevant to audio inventory and advertiser targeting but not industry‑shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- RTL Radio changed its brand promise to "Feel Good Music", replacing "Deutschlands Hit-Radio".
- The station broadened its music mix to songs from the 1980s through today and oriented toward Adult‑Contemporary.
- RTL Radio plans to resume moderated daytime programming starting 3 August 2026.
- Simon Kober is slated to host the station's new morning show.
- CEO Nina Gerhardt is leading the station's repositioning.
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mapped“MEEDIA had already reported on the related departure that announced Simon Kober's move....”
“Photo credit in the article: Imago/Pond5 Images....”
“RTL Radio is repositioning itself nationwide....”
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
RTL Radio to Relaunch as Nationwide 'Feel Good Music'
RTL Radio Deutschland is preparing a nationwide relaunch of its RTL Radio service, positioning it as "RTL Radio Feel Good Music" and moving away from the regional 104.6 RTL sound. The group, now organised under RTL Deutschland rather than the RTL Group, will leverage its national DAB+ presence (Bundesmux) and integrate TV-originated formats and personalities into radio programming while saying the station will not become a pure promotional vehicle for TV. The relaunch includes a new morning show host (Simon Kober), use of Patrick Linke as station voice, additions such as Sarah Oswald and Oliver Geissen's "Ultimative Chartshow," and planned changes signalled for August 3. The interview also highlights commercial pressures on radio due to declining ad revenues, inflation and distribution fragmentation, while noting radio’s continued high reach.
RTL Radio Integrates TV Brands, Adds Oliver Geissen
RTL Radio Deutschland will more closely integrate television brands and personalities into its radio programming under a relaunch scheduled for 3 August 2026. CEO Nina Gerhardt said the nationwide station will be renamed “RTL Radio Feel Good Music” and will feature radio-adapted versions of RTL TV magazines such as Punkt and Exclusiv, plus a radio iteration of the “Ultimative Chartshow” with Oliver Geissen. Simon Kober will host a new morning show and Sarah Oswald will be a regular voice. Gerhardt emphasized the goal of leveraging RTL’s TV assets to create distinctive audio formats rather than simply promoting TV programming. Additional RTL personalities are planned for September and October.
rbb 88.8 sharpens Berlin-focused profile
Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg has relaunched its pop radio station rbb 88.8 with the new claim “Deine Hits. Dein Berlin”, repositioning the station to focus more explicitly on Berlin and everyday life in the city. The relaunch introduces a broader music mix, new sound design and revised program blocks, including a new drivetime show “Hallo Berlin” (14:00–17:30) followed by “Guten Abend Berlin”. Evening music strands now start at 20:00 and new weekly formats such as “Pop‑Smoothies” (Monday) and “Dein Jahr” (Tuesday) were added. The station will address listeners with the informal “du”. Program director Karen Schmied, music chief Holger Lachmann and editorial lead Momo Faltlhauser are quoted about the editorial and musical direction. Regional advertising is sold by rbb media, while ARD Media handles national sales. The article was published by MEEDIA on 2026-07-07.
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