Markus Lanz gives courage, Fabian Köster becomes combative and Olivia Jones calls for more courage: The German Television Prize has been awarded. A few days after the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and in the midst of a variety of crises, the TV gala in Cologne was noticeably often about the political and social situation in the country - and also about a man who was once again able to win a television award: Stefan Raab.
The tone was set early in the evening by, of all people, a television award winner who is otherwise best known for his questions: Lanz. The 57-year-old was awarded in the “Best Information” category for his ZDF talk show, but quickly moved on to the basics – and obviously wanted to convey confidence.
“I’m currently experiencing so many people who are very insecure, some of whom are afraid,” explained Lanz. “Don’t be afraid!” he appealed. His promise: "We'll just rebuild what's broken at some point." It was Lanz's second television award.
“I hope that we will continue to live in a democracy in the future.”
Comedian Fabian Köster, who won the “Best Comedy/Late Night” category with his show “heute-show extra: Next Stop Köster” (ZDF), recalled the achievements of a free media landscape. A format like his - relatively confrontational interviews with politicians in a small elevator - is not possible in so many countries, he said.
“Especially in these days we must always remember this and must be loud against hatred, against incitement and against the enemies of democracy who want to abolish things like this.”
This continued through the evening. Political tones were mixed into the acceptance speeches - sometimes relatively dark, as was the case with Karin Hanczewski, who was named best actress for “Call My Agent Berlin” (Disney+). She concluded her speech with the words: “I hope that we will continue to live in a democracy in the future. Thanks."
The best “TV film/multi-part” was “Olivia” (ZDF) – a biopic that tells the life story of the well-known drag queen Olivia Jones. Those responsible dedicated the award to the LGBTQI+ community. The English abbreviation LGBTQI+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex people.
The film is important today because it's about democracy and freedom and being able to live the way you want, said Olivia Jones of the German Press Agency. It takes more courage instead of anger. “We don’t want to take anything away from anyone, but we are demonized,” she said. «We didn't choose this. If I had chosen, I would have been straight.”
As serious as the evening became, it was still a television awards gala. Tom Schilling, for example, who was awarded best actor for “Achtsam Morden” (Netflix), focused entirely on a private matter: his mother was turning 70. So he serenaded her and persuaded the audience to do the same – despite strict time constraints. “There has to be that much time,” explained the actor when presenter Barbara Schöneberger tried to stop him.
Ozempic jokes
It was also Schöneberger who gave the show a certain humorous toxicity. Hardly anyone was safe from their jokes. “Since Ozempic came into existence, twice as many stars can fit in this hall,” she joked. Ozempic as a diabetes medication is also used by adults as a weight reducer.
Schöneberger also mischievously announced that “world peace” was “within reach.” “Tonight Stefan Raab and Sebastian Pufpaff are in the same room!” she announced. What she was getting at was that Pufpaff and Raab once worked together, but then became adversaries. It was therefore open to speculation as to whether they would both actually come to the award ceremony. Pufpaff now moderates Raab's former show "TV total" on ProSieben, and Raab is known to have joined RTL.
Both came. But in the end, only Raab, who has had a mixed record since his TV comeback in 2024, was able to win a television award. His new development “Who knows how when what happened?” (RTL) was named the best entertainment show. “No matter what the others say: I like you!” explained his co-host Barbara Schöneberger almost tenderly.
“All the best, all the best” for Stefan Raab
Pufpaff, on the other hand, came away empty-handed in the “Best Comedy/Late Night” category with “TV total”. On the red carpet he was asked what he wished for Raab, who will soon be 60 years old. Pufpaff's short answer: "All the best, all the best and may he be able to do his job."
The makers of the series “Chabos” (ZDFneo) were among the big winners of the evening – the production was named best comedy series, and their young ensemble also won the sponsorship award.
The best drama series was “Hundredthirteen” (ARD), and the best documentary series was “Mesut Özil – Visiting Friends” (ZDF). The special “#dontlookaway” (ProSieben) by entertainers Joko Winterscheidt and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf also won a prize. The two presenters had included a more than three-hour, commercial-free documentary about the everyday lives of people in Ukraine in the program.
The long-time RTL news presenter Peter Kloeppel (67) brought the conciliatory conclusion. He was honored for his life's work and remembered Franz Beckenbauer. “Now let’s go out, boys, and play football,” he said. Kloeppel's advice: "I'm telling you: Now go out and make good television."
The German Television Prize has been awarded since 1999. It is carried by ARD, RTL, Sat.1, ZDF and Deutsche Telekom. The streaming providers Disney+, Netflix and Prime Video are partners. The leadership changes year after year. This year she took over RTL. The station also broadcast the show on TV.
