RTL to end production of long-running soap ‘Unter uns’

RTL has announced it will cease production of the long-running daily soap ‘Unter uns’ after more than three decades. The decision is part of a strategic realignment of the network’s afternoon and early evening programming, driven by changing economic conditions for daily fiction and evolving viewer usage patterns.

The series, which has aired since November 1994 and features nearly 8,000 episodes, will continue to produce new content through the end of 2026. The current season is scheduled to run until March 2027, with all remaining produced episodes to be broadcast on RTL and RTL+.

The news has sparked significant backlash from the cast and fanbase. Actors have launched social media campaigns using the hashtag #NichtOhneUnterUns to protest the cancellation, while fans have initiated petitions to find the series a new home on other platforms or streaming services.

Despite the cancellation at RTL, the production company UFA Serial Drama is exploring future possibilities for the brand. UFA CEO Sascha Schwingel stated that the company is carefully examining new perspectives for the series, noting that ‘Unter uns’ remains a strong fictional brand with high recognition and storytelling potential.