In a dramatic finale to its ninth season, the popular German quiz show "Wer stiehlt mir die Show?" aired on ProSieben, attracting 1.20 million viewers, including 740,000 aged between 14 and 49. This resulted in a respectable market share of 16.2 percent. The show, hosted by Heike Makatsch, marked a significant moment in the series, although it fell short of the 21.2 percent market share generated by Teddy Teclebrhan's episode in mid-March 2025.
On the evening of April 13, 2025, the ratings landscape was dominated by the long-standing crime series "Tatort," which aired an episode from Vienna, drawing in an impressive 8.44 million viewers and achieving a staggering 32.0 percent market share. Among younger viewers, the show also performed well, with 1.19 million tuning in, translating to a 21.3 percent share.
Following "Tatort," Friedrich Merz's appearance on "Caren Miosga" garnered 3.08 million viewers, resulting in a 15.2 percent market share. Meanwhile, ZDF's romantic drama "Verhängnisvolle Leidenschaft Sylt" entertained 3.38 million viewers at 20:15, achieving a market share of 12.8 percent, with only 5.0 percent in the target demographic.
Later that night, the first four episodes of the miniseries "Die Affäre Cum-Ex" aired after the "heute journal" at 22:15. However, viewership dwindled from an initial 1.44 million to 530,000 after midnight, with fluctuating market shares between 7.8 and 9.4 percent. In contrast, "Men in Black: International" on Sat.1 performed well with an 8.6 percent market share and 1.22 million viewers, while "James Bond 007: Keine Zeit zu sterben" on RTL attracted 1.82 million viewers, resulting in an 8.2 percent share.
In a notable turn, the finale of the fourth season of "Willkommen bei den Reimanns" on Kabel Eins achieved a record high with a 5.7 percent market share and 840,000 viewers. A rerun of "Mälzer und Mraz liefern ab!" on VOX managed a 5.4 percent share, while "Great White" on RTL Zwei struggled with just 2.9 percent.
Meanwhile, the ZDF series "Die Affäre Cum-Ex" has been making waves as it delves into one of the largest tax frauds in European history. The show, which aired its fifth episode on April 13, 2025, follows prosecutor Lena Birkwald and her team as they uncover the vast network of Cum-Ex deals that siphoned off a staggering 146 billion euros from European tax coffers.
As the plot unfolds, Birkwald devises an ambitious plan to conduct simultaneous searches across 16 countries to dismantle the Cum-Ex network. In Copenhagen, the pressure mounts on Niels Jensen, a key player in the scandal, as internal investigations reveal suspicious financial activity linked to his accounts.
The series captures the complexity of the Cum-Ex scandal, which has been described as a classic case of fraud rather than a mere exploitation of tax loopholes. It portrays how bankers and lawyers orchestrated a scheme to claim tax refunds on capital gains taxes that were never paid, effectively duping the system.
Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to a range of characters, including Inger Brøgger, a tax investigator who uncovers alarming discrepancies in Jensen's financial dealings. The show effectively highlights the challenges faced by investigators as they navigate a convoluted financial landscape to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"Die Affäre Cum-Ex" is not just a gripping drama; it also serves as a commentary on the greed and audacity that fueled one of the most significant financial scandals in recent history. The series aims to make complex financial concepts accessible to a wider audience, drawing parallels to real-life events and utilizing metaphors to clarify the intricacies of the fraud.
As the investigation unfolds, the series emphasizes the determination of Birkwald and her colleagues to seek justice against powerful adversaries. The narrative mirrors the real-world challenges faced by those who stand against corruption and highlights the ongoing legal battles stemming from the Cum-Ex scandal.
The show has received acclaim for its high-caliber cast, which includes actors from Germany, Denmark, and beyond, bringing depth to the characters embroiled in this high-stakes drama. The series not only captivates with its storytelling but also raises awareness about the impacts of financial crimes on society.
With the first four episodes airing on April 13 and the continuation on April 14, viewers have the opportunity to engage with this compelling narrative. Additionally, a documentary titled "Systemfehler: Der Cum-Ex Skandal" provides further insights into the true events behind the fictionalized series, available in the ZDF media library since March 22, 2025.
As audiences tune in to witness the unfolding drama, the series serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in the financial sector and the relentless pursuit of justice by those dedicated to uncovering the truth.
