Unveiling Thomas Gottschack's "Wetten, dass..." Earnings
Enjoy some casual chit-chat as we delve into the earning history of the legendary Thomas Gottschack, whose entertainment prowess has left an indelible mark on German TV.
Gottschack's Stellar Run on "Wetten, dass..."
Over the years, Gottschack claimed the throne of great TV hosts alongside the likes of Peter Frankenfeld, Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff, and Rudi Carrell. He graced "Wetten, dass..." more than 150 times, even with two temporary breaks, serving as the zampano so integral to the show's success.
It wasn't surprising that he enjoyed generous remuneration by ZDF, especially as his successors like Wolfgang Lippert and Markus Lanz tried their best to mimic his magic. But what exactly did Gottshack earn during his two-decade run on "Wetten, dass..."?
The "Bild" newspaper now brings us a look at a 1987 contract between Gottshack and ZDF, detailing his starting salary of 100,000 marks for a "Wetten, dass..." episode. With four shows a year, his income from the format alone amounted to 400,000 marks. There were extra commitments, including "Na, Sowas Extra" for 20,000 marks, showing at the IFA, and hosting "Na, Siehste" for 80,000 marks each, all as part of his freelance work.
Overtime, Unpaid but Still Fun
The contract also reveals the approximate broadcast lengths, which ranged between 105 and 180 minutes. It's evident that Gottshack was more than happy to surpass the 105-minute mark, presumably working for free beyond the call of duty.
While the "Bild" has the signature of the original contract, precise figures on Gottshack's earnings in the show's later years remain speculations. Some point to persisting rumors that Gottshack fetched 100,000 euros per episode, but these rumors have been sticking around for years. Other whispers suggested that his salary climbed up to 200,000 euros per episode.
Estimates of Gottshack's wealth hover around the 90 million euro mark, with advertising, notably Haribo, helping contribute to his wealth.
The Love of Entertainment
Outside of betting games and TV shows, Gottshack is a football enthusiast with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund as his favorite teams on the small screen, making his passion for entertainment extend to his favorite pastimes.
