"ARD-Durabrenner's "Storm of Love" has reached its 20th anniversary"
In the heart of German television, the long-running soap opera "Sturm der Liebe" (Storm of Love) has been captivating audiences since its debut on August 1, 2005, in the Bavaria Studios, Munich. Over the past two decades, this telenovela has become a staple of ARD's programming, offering an emotional, fictional alternative to the afternoon programming dominated by court shows and talk formats.
Produced by Bavaria Film, "Sturm der Liebe" follows the lives, romances, and intrigues revolving around the fictional hotel "Fürstenhof." The series maintains a traditional soap opera style with ongoing, intertwining storylines that refresh every few months while keeping familiar elements.
The series has been a consistent success, regularly attracting millions of viewers in Germany. In the first half of 2025, it averaged 878,000 viewers on ARD, holding a market share of 10.6%. Among viewers aged 14 to 49, it had a market share of 4.3%. These numbers reflect the show's broad appeal, reaching audiences of all ages[1][5].
Sepp Schauer, who plays Alfons Sonnbichler, has been with the series since its inception and continues to be a part of it. Antje Hagen, who plays Hildegard, the on-screen wife of Schauer's character, has also been with the series since its beginning. Their long-term commitment to the show adds a sense of continuity and familiarity for viewers[2][4].
The series has aired over 4,400 episodes and features over 347,000 script pages. Over the course of its run, "Sturm der Liebe" has seen around 12,200 kisses and 600 actors[3].
One unique feature of "Sturm der Liebe" is the presence of owl characters within the series. These owls are recurring symbolic or thematic elements tied to the show’s identity or specific story arcs, adding a distinctive charm and mystique that differentiates it from other soap operas. The owls have a notable presence both visually and narratively, making them a trademark motif that fans recognize[1][3].
In 2024, "Sturm der Liebe" was streamed 151 million times on the ARD Mediathek. ARD describes the series as a consistently successful series, with current streaming and linear ratings combined[6].
As the series enters its 22nd season, fans are eagerly anticipating the premiere in late October. The upcoming season features the characters Fanny Schätzl (Johanna Graen) and Kilian Rudloff (Anthony Paul)[7].
In 2025, "Sturm der Liebe" celebrated its 20th anniversary. The show has been sold to 51 countries and airs as "Tempesta d'Amore" in Italy and "Le Tourbillon de l'Amour" in Belgium[8]. Despite the series' core narrative structure involving a new dream couple each season, producer Proske-Clayton believes the series' core cannot be significantly altered[9].
In conclusion, the history and success of "Sturm der Liebe" stem from its consistent production quality, steady ratings success on ARD, some level of international reach, and unique storytelling elements such as the owl characters that contribute to its distinctive brand within the German soap opera landscape.
The German soap opera "Sturm der Liebe," airing on ARD, offers viewers a suspension of reality through captivating plots and romance within the entertainment genre, specifically the movies-and-tv realm. With its vast reach, the series has been aired in 51 countries, enhancing its status as a meaningful contribution to global entertainment.
