RTL CEO admits strategic errors in Stefan Raab comeback

RTL Deutschland CEO Stephan Schmitter has admitted to strategic errors following the high-profile television comeback of entertainer Stefan Raab in 2024. Despite an initial massive success with a boxing event, subsequent programming faced significant challenges.

Schmitter noted that the network attempted too many experimental formats too quickly, specifically citing the hybrid quiz/late-night show ‘Du gewinnst hier nicht die Million’ as a failure. He described the decision to launch 90-minute weekly live hybrid shows as an ‘old mistake in television’ that failed to resonate with audiences, leading to the show's cancellation after approximately 30 episodes.

In addition to the Raab programming issues, Martin Rütter’s puppy show, ‘Die Welpen kommen’, experienced record-low viewership during its recent move to primetime on VOX. The program drew only 830,000 viewers, a significant drop for the long-running format. RTL plans to pivot its strategy for Raab, focusing on the competitive and physical challenge formats that historically appealed to his core audience.