"Köln 50667" Sees Its End
Since its debut as a spin-off of "Berlin - Tag & Nacht," the daily soap "Köln 50667" on RTLZwei earned a devoted fanbase. However, the series has veered off the path of success – despite a major overhaul at the start of the year. Now, the folks in charge are pulling the plug.
The broadcaster RTLZwei announced the end of the "Köln 50667" series, which has graced our screens for eleven years. "After many unforgettable moments, we're officially saying goodbye to our daily soap," reads the statement on Instagram. The series will continue filming new episodes, so the farewell isn't imminent yet – expect the final curtain call as early as 2024's summer season.
Malte Kruber, Program Director Entertainment at RTLZwei, shared their perspective in an interview with Bild: "Producing a daily soap is a costly venture. When measured against that, the performance doesn't hold up."
To build on past successes, RTLZwei attempted a revitalization of the series. The format was reimagined with a new cast, settings, and stories, yet it struggled to win back its audience, particularly young viewers who now prefer non-linear viewing options. In the early years, "Köln 50667" enjoyed market shares of up to 17%, but recent figures show less than 3% of the 14 to 49-year-old demographic tuning in.
After the relaunch, the series failed to recapture its audience. Despite the attempt to adapt to changing viewing habits, the show's popularity remained low. This, coupled with the high production costs, led to the decision to discontinue "Köln 50667."
While the news came as a shock to the actors and staff, the experience of eleven years in the limelight on both RTL and RTLZwei serves as a heartfelt send-off. Program Director, Kruber, hinted at a promising future: "‘Köln 50667' will be replaced by an equally entertaining series."
Though the exact reasons for the show's decline and discontinuation remain unclear, factors like declining ratings, high production costs, creative fatigue, cultural shifts, and competition from digital platforms could have contributed to its downfall.
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