Observed Signal · Jul 8, 2026 · Hiring · Source: DWDL · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Torsten Amarell Moves from RBB to SWR
Torsten Amarell is leaving Rundfunk Berlin‑Brandenburg (RBB) to join Südwestrundfunk (SWR) as head of the broadcaster’s “Show & Factual” department. He will take up the role on 1 August 2026 and will be responsible for expanding SWR’s non‑linear entertainment portfolio as well as ARD’s lead for the Eurovision Song Contest and several Saturday‑evening and entertainment formats. Amarell has worked across ARD broadcasters for years; at RBB he managed strategic program portfolios and served as head of the Society main department since 2020. His earlier roles include editorial leadership at MDR (Talk & Journalistic Entertainment) and as editorial director of NDR’s daily show DAS!. SWR Program Director Clemens Bratzler welcomed the appointment.
A senior programming hire at a public broadcaster affects content and scheduling but has limited direct impact on the wider AdTech/MarTech ecosystem; relevant mainly to broadcasters, content buyers and advertisers targeting those programs.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Torsten Amarell will leave RBB to join SWR and assume leadership of SWR’s "Show & Factual" department on 2026-08-01.
- At SWR he will be responsible for expanding the non-linear entertainment portfolio and hold ARD’s lead for the Eurovision Song Contest plus shows including "Verstehen Sie Spaß?", "Schlager-Spaß mit Andy Borg" and "Sag die Wahrheit".
- Amarell spent six years at RBB, where he was responsible for strategic program portfolios, innovations and program development and served as Hauptabteilungsleiter Gesellschaft since 2020.
- Before RBB, Amarell was Redaktionsleiter Talk & Journalistische Unterhaltung at MDR and earlier Redaktionsleiter of NDR’s daily show "DAS!".
- SWR Program Director Clemens Bratzler publicly commented on Amarell’s appointment, describing him as an experienced and well‑connected program maker familiar with the ARD network.
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mapped“Torsten Amarell verlässt den RBB und wechselt zum SWR, wo er zum 1. August im Unterhaltungsbereich die Leitung der Abteilung "Show & Factual...”
“Damit verantwortet er den weiteren Ausbau des nonlinearen Angebotsportfolios ebenso wie die ARD-Federführung für den Eurovision Song Contest...”
“Zuvor arbeitete Amarell als Redaktionsleiter Talk & Journalistische Unterhaltung beim MDR......”
“und davor als Redaktionsleiter der täglichen NDR-Sendung "DAS!"....”
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Torsten Amarell joins SWR as Head of Show & Factual
Torsten Amarell will join SWR as head of the new "Show & Factual" department effective August 1, 2026. He moves from rbb, where he served as head of the society division and was responsible for radio outlets and digital offerings for younger audiences. Amarell previously led Talk & Journalistic Entertainment at MDR and was editorial head of NDR's DAS!. At SWR he will be responsible for expanding non-linear entertainment and managing key TV brands, including ARD's lead on the Eurovision Song Contest, Verstehen Sie Spaß?, Schlager‑Spaß mit Andy Borg and Sag die Wahrheit. SWR Program Director Clemens Bratzler praised Amarell's experience and network. The article was published by MEEDIA on 2026-07-09.
Thorsten Schorn Joins RTL Radio with New Show
Thorsten Schorn, known for his 25-year tenure at WDR and as the voice of Vox's 'Shopping Queen', is moving to RTL Radio to co-host the 'Schorn-Show' with Andrea Ostermann, starting September 14. The daily show airs weekdays from 10 AM to 3 PM and features 'Feel Good Music.' Schorn emphasizes the importance of personality within strict radio formats and highlights radio's enduring strength in providing familiarity and emotional connection. He will continue his street interviews and remain involved with WDR for events like the Cologne Carnival and the Eurovision Song Contest. The move is part of RTL's strategy to integrate radio and TV, leveraging personalities like Schorn across platforms. RTL Radio, which relaunched in early August, is available nationwide via DAB+.
Alina Schröder Leads SWR Portfolio and Innovation Unit
SWR has created a new main department, "Portfolio and Innovation," to centralize efforts around program‑portfolio development and identifying innovation potential. The unit is effective immediately and will be led by Alina Schröder. The restructuring aims to better align SWR’s content, formats and their availability across relevant channels to meet the needs of a diverse audience. Schröder previously trained at SWR (2011–2012), served as editor and then program chief at the radio station DasDing (program chief 2017–2021), led the ARD coordination for young offerings (2022–2024), and has worked in SWR’s innovation management since 2025 on strategy and organizational development. SWR executives Anke Mai and Intendant Kai Gniffke are quoted praising Schröder’s experience, leadership style and combination of journalistic quality with digital competence. The article was published on DWDL.de on 2026-07-01.
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