Observed Signal · May 22, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: DWDL · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Sat.1 Leads; Relegation Less Watched Than Past Years
Sat.1's broadcast of the Bundesliga relegation first leg between VfL Wolfsburg and SC Paderborn made the channel market leader in key target groups on 21 May 2026, but overall viewer interest was lower than in recent high-profile relegation matches. "ran" achieved 18.1% (first half) and 22.9% (second half) in the classic target group and 15.8% / 19.6% in the 14–59 group. Average viewers were 2.68 million in the first half and 3.35 million in the second half, below peaks seen in 2022–2023 (around 5 million in H2) and lower than some prior years. Pre-match coverage and a post-match highlights show also posted solid market shares. Data source cited: AGF Videoforschung (AGF SCOPE, preliminary weighted data).
Provides up-to-date linear-TV audience and market-share metrics relevant to broadcasters, advertisers and media buyers for daypart and inventory valuation, but does not represent a major industry or platform change.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Sat.1's live broadcast of VfL Wolfsburg vs SC Paderborn (relegation first leg) aired on 21 May 2026.
- "ran" delivered 18.1% market share in the classic target group in the first half and 22.9% in the second half.
- In the 14–59 age group "ran" reached 15.8% (first half) and 19.6% (second half).
- Average viewership was 2.68 million (first half) and 3.35 million (second half), below 2022–2023 relegation peaks (~5 million in second half).
- Day market shares: Sat.1 11.2% (14–49), 9.0% (14–59); overall-day share for Sat.1 was 7.5%, ranking fourth in total audience. Source: AGF SCOPE (preliminary weighted data).
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Relegation Match Drives Very High Sat.1 TV Ratings
The Bundesliga relegation second leg between SC Paderborn and VfL Wolfsburg (2:1 after extra time) delivered unusually high linear-TV audiences for Sat.1 on May 25–26, 2026. The decisive goal came in the 100th minute. Sat.1 reached 2.99 million viewers in the first half and 4.61 million in the second half plus extra time, producing day-leading market shares (overall and key demos). Younger audiences saw particularly strong results (14–49 demo peaks of 24.7% and 35.7%). ProSieben underperformed against the football broadcast; its Eishockey-WM coverage peaked at around 650,000 viewers and single-digit demo shares. Audience and market-share figures are attributed to AGF Videoforschung (AGF SCOPE).
Sat.1 Relegation Match Tops 3.22 Million Viewers
Sat.1's live broadcast of the 2. Bundesliga relegation return leg between SpVgg Greuther Fürth and Rot‑Weiss Essen drew strong linear TV audiences on May 26, 2026. The match averaged 2.27 million viewers in the first half and 3.22 million in the second half, making it the most‑watched program across channels after 20:15. Sat.1 recorded double‑digit market shares for total and key younger demographics (notably 26.1% in 14–49 during the second half). Das Erste and ZDF posted lower reach that evening (Das Erste's In aller Freundschaft episodes had ~2.78m and ~2.97m; ZDF's documentary reached ~1.18m). Source for all audience data: AGF SCOPE / AGF Videoforschung (preliminary weighted data).
Sat.1 Scores Strong TV Ratings with Second-Division Relegation
DWDL reports that Sat.1 achieved strong audience figures for the second-division relegation match between Rot-Weiss Essen and Greuther Fürth, with average viewership of about 1.78 million in the first half and 2.37 million in the second. Among 14–49-year-olds the game delivered market shares of 15.5% (440,000 viewers) and 17.1% (570,000 viewers) in the two halves. Sat.1 posted a day market share of 8.9% in the 14–49 demo while RTL led with 12.8%. Sky also broadcast the match, adding roughly 220,000 viewers and 2.7% in the demo. ProSieben’s afternoon broadcast of the German ice-hockey national team vs Hungary drew 420k–450k viewers, with demo shares declining from 12.9% to 6.8% across game thirds. Source: AGF SCOPE / AGF Videoforschung. Publication date: 2026-05-23.
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