"ARD-Durabrenner announces that the broadcast of 'Storm of love' is set at 20"
In Munich, the long-running German soap opera "Sturm der Liebe" celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades as a cultural phenomenon. The event included a special press day, featuring key cast and crew, underscoring its continued relevance and popularity.
Production Details
Produced by Bavaria Film and broadcast on ARD since its debut in 2005, "Sturm der Liebe" is primarily filmed on location at the Hotel Fürstenhof, a fictional luxury hotel setting central to the show's plotlines. Over the past 20 years, the series has produced over 3,000 episodes, maintaining a steady production schedule.
Streaming and Viewership
"Sturm der Liebe" has expanded its audience beyond traditional broadcast by being available on ARD’s streaming platform, enabling viewers to catch episodes online, including catch-up and binge viewing options. While exact streaming numbers are typically proprietary, the series is known to attract millions of viewers weekly on both television and digital platforms within Germany, sustaining strong ratings in its time slot.
International Distribution
The soap opera enjoys broad international appeal, having been distributed to several countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. It is dubbed or subtitled in many languages and aired on local networks, enhancing its global footprint. This international distribution has contributed significantly to its enduring popularity, introducing German TV culture and storytelling to a worldwide audience.
Enduring Popularity
"Sturm der Liebe" maintains a loyal and diverse fanbase due to its engaging romantic and dramatic story arcs centered on family, love, and betrayal. The series benefits from high production values, well-developed characters, and consistent quality storytelling. Its longevity is supported by regular updates to storylines that reflect contemporary themes and social issues, keeping it relevant over 20 years.
New Season
The 22nd season of "Sturm der Liebe" follows the same pattern, with the down-to-earth gardener Fanny Schätzl (Johanna Graen) and the charismatic chef Kilian Rudloff (Anthony Paul) as the new dream couple. The season is set to air from late October.
Continuity and Longevity
The series has had a constant cast member since its inception, with Sepp Schauer playing Alfons Sonnbichler and Antje Hagen playing his on-screen wife Hildegard. Sepp Schauer, playing Alfons Sonnbichler, has been with the series since its inception in 2005.
Over the years, "Sturm der Liebe" has written over 347,000 script pages, and approximately 600 actors have been involved in the series. A unique touch is the presence of two owls in the break room since the first season, which have proven popular with the audience and remain in the series 20 years later.
Despite the passage of time, "Sturm der Liebe" continues to appeal to a broad audience, according to Sepp Schauer. In the first half of 2025, "Sturm der Liebe" averaged 878,000 viewers on ARD with a market share of 10.6%. The series has been streamed 151 million times in the ARD Mediathek by 2024.
The original aim of the producer and creator of "Sturm der Liebe" was to provide an emotional, fictional alternative to the afternoon programming dominated by court shows and talk formats, with warmth and heart at the center. This mission has clearly been accomplished, as "Sturm der Liebe" continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
In the realm of online entertainment, "Sturm der Liebe" can be found on ARD's streaming platform, offering viewers the ability to watch episodes online and enjoy catch-up and binge viewing options.
The international success of "Sturm der Liebe" has expanded its footprint beyond Germany, with the soap opera being distributed to numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
