On Thursday, May 1, 2025, viewers tuning into RTL for their favorite evening soap operas will be met with disappointment as both Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten (GZSZ) and Alles was zählt will not air due to the holiday. Instead, RTL has lined up a humorous alternative programming schedule to fill the gap. At 19:05, a new episode of Dumm gelaufen! – Die lustigsten Schlamassel der Welt! will take the stage, showcasing the funniest mishaps and fails from around the world. From comedic blunders that include Stefan Raab crashing a segment of Punkt 12 to culinary disasters on Das perfekte Promi Dinner, no comedic misstep goes unmissed in this entertaining showcase.
In light of the holiday, Alles was zählt will also be absent from the 19:05 time slot, making way for the laughter-filled program. Fans of RTL can expect a return to regular programming the following day, with GZSZ set to air at its usual time of 19:40 on Friday, May 2, 2025. For those who can’t wait, episodes of GZSZ are already available for streaming on RTL+, allowing eager fans to catch up on the latest developments a week in advance.
As the evening progresses, RTL continues its entertainment lineup with a focus on sports. At 20:15, viewers can tune in for the football report Unser Team – Die Heim-EM 2024, which will provide insights and highlights leading up to the UEFA European Championship. Following this, the channel will broadcast the Europa League semi-final match between Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United at 20:40, promising an exciting evening for football fans.
This shift in programming highlights a broader trend in television scheduling, particularly during holidays. Many networks often adjust their lineups to cater to special occasions, with a focus on lighter content that can appeal to a wider audience. The decision to air a comedic program in place of dramatic soaps reflects an understanding of audience preferences during festive times.
In Germany, the prime-time viewing period, especially around 20:15, is critical for television networks. This is traditionally when the highest viewer numbers are recorded, making it an essential time slot for advertisers and broadcasters alike. The Tagesschau, Germany's leading news broadcast, has set the standard for this time slot, airing daily from 20:00 to 20:15 and influencing viewer expectations for subsequent programming.
The concept of prime time extends beyond television; in radio, it is referred to as 'drivetime'. This period, occurring between 6:00 and 9:00 in the morning and 16:00 to 18:00 in the evening, targets commuters, making it a peak time for radio listenership. Understanding these patterns is crucial for networks as they curate content that resonates with their audiences at these key times.
As viewers navigate their evening plans on May 1, 2025, the absence of GZSZ and Alles was zählt serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of television programming. With options like Dumm gelaufen! and significant sporting events, RTL aims to keep its audience engaged and entertained, even in the absence of its popular soap operas.
As the holiday draws to a close, fans can look forward to the return of their beloved shows on RTL, ensuring that the drama and excitement of GZSZ and Alles was zählt will resume shortly. Until then, viewers can enjoy the alternative offerings and perhaps discover new favorites in the diverse landscape of television programming.
