Observed Signal · Aug 5, 2026 · Cancellation · Source: DWDL · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
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.
Affects linear-TV programming, late-night Sunday inventory and a production partner; relevant to broadcasters and media buyers but not industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- 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.
- On 2026-07-19 the show had 230,000 viewers and a 1.1% market share among 14–49; a recent Sunday recorded 880,000 viewers and 8.8% market share.
- Since last year the Sunday edition has been produced by i&u Studios; production moved from EMG-Studios in Hürth to the Bavaria-Studios in Cologne-Bocklemünd.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“Ein Schlag ist das Aus des Formats natürlich für die zuständige Produktionsfirma, seit dem vergangenen Jahr wird "Stern TV am Sonntag", wie ...”
“Gegenüber DWDL.de teilt eine Sendersprecherin mit: "Der Zuspruch der Zuschauer für die Sonntagsausgabe ist leider nicht so groß wie für ster...”
“"Stern TV am Sonntag" ist schon bald Geschichte, RTL wird die Sendung nach der aktuellen Staffel einstellen....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
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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.
RTL Morning Magazines End as 'Punkt 8' Hits Low
RTL aired its final edition of the 'Punkt' morning magazine programmes on Thursday ahead of a new joint morning block with ntv. The farewell broadcast showed weak overall reach: 'Punkt 6' attracted about 190,000 viewers (14.3% market share in the advertising target group), 'Punkt 7' about 170,000 viewers (8.4% share) and 'Punkt 8' closed the run with just 2.4% market share — the lowest value for the programme this year. ntv’s 8:00 bulletin reached roughly 50,000 viewers and 2.3% in the 14–49 demographic, while Welt and Sat.1 posted stronger morning numbers (Welt: 150k at 8:00 with 4.7% share, Sat.1 Frühstücksfernsehen: avg. 390,000 viewers and 19.5% in the target group). Data cited come from AGF Videoforschung (AGF SCOPE, preliminary weighted data).
SWR Cancels 'Immer wieder sonntags'; Format Poaching Looms
SWR has decided to end its long-running morning entertainment show "Immer wieder sonntags" as part of a broader set of program cuts driven by cost pressures and a strategic push to reallocate resources toward younger, digital audiences. SWR programming director Clemens Bratzler had signalled earlier that budget savings would require cuts across administration, infrastructure and programming aimed at older linear viewers. Private broadcasters face the opposite challenge — shifting youth-focused content to streaming while needing stronger linear offerings for remaining viewers — raising talk of private channels potentially picking up formats or talent (host Stefan Mross said he is in talks with private broadcasters). Creators worry budget cuts could threaten program quality, and the industry may see more format transfers where one broadcaster drops a show and another picks it up.
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