RTL's Hammer-News: Report on Uncensored Developments
RTL has made a significant impact in the 2025 second division season, achieving record ratings for the league. The broadcaster saw up to 2.26 million viewers tuning in to watch the peak game, where 1. FC Kaiserslautern narrowly defeated FC Schalke 04 1-0 on 9th August [1].
On average, around 1.69 million viewers followed the top matches on RTL, marking an increase of about 250,000 viewers compared to the previous week. The overall market share reached a strong 9.9%, with very strong viewer shares in younger demographics, including 13.1% among 14-59 year-olds and 15.6% among 14-49 year-olds[2]. This represents a significant boost compared to previous broadcasters like Sport1 that rarely exceeded one million viewers [1].
The success of RTL can be attributed to the addition of well-known sports personalities such as former Bundesliga professional Max Kruse as a TV pundit for their live 2nd Bundesliga broadcasts [4].
Looking ahead, further top games to expect on RTL include key matchups involving promoted clubs and traditional teams with strong fan bases like 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Schalke 04, which have already demonstrated high viewership. Additionally, RTL plans a "XXL-Sporttag" on September 7 featuring live sports broadcasts, including NFL and a DFB international game, which may complement their 2nd Bundesliga offerings and attract more viewers [2].
Both 1. FC Kaiserslautern and FC Schalke 04 have a large fan base throughout Germany. Apart from these clubs, other traditional clubs in the 2nd Bundesliga also boast a significant following across the country. The upcoming neighborhood duel between FC Schalke 04 and VfL Bochum is expected to attract many viewers on RTL [3].
For a broader view of the 2nd Bundesliga schedule, matches are broadcast on various platforms including RTL. However, RTL stands out for its strong German market ratings and audience engagement this season [3]. With selected top games featuring these big clubs, further top ratings are expected on RTL.
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- The upcoming European football leagues, airing on RTL, are anticipated to attract large viewer numbers, given the success of the 2025 second division season, with record ratings and over 1.69 million average viewers.
- Beyond the football scene, RTL's diverse sports programming, including upcoming NFL and DFB international games, is expected to expand their audience, especially on the "XXL-Sporttag" on September 7.
