November 24, 2023, 12:23 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
The broadcaster ProSieben is currently tweaking its programming again. This mainly affects fans of American TV series.
The composition of a TV program depends on the target audience and many other parameters. A crucial aspect is the broadcast time. The 8:15 p.m. time slot is particularly coveted and is therefore known as primetime. It seems ProSieben is currently making some changes in this time frame. In Germany, the broadcaster is known for airing American series such as “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men.” One of the traditional slots for these shows is Monday evening during primetime. However, this is set to change at the end of November.
US Series on Monday Evenings at ProSieben
Currently, the popular series “The Simpsons” is airing in the coveted time slot, but only until November 13. Then, for a short time, the “The Big Bang Theory” spinoff “Young Sheldon” will take over Monday evening primetime. ProSieben will air four episodes of the series back-to-back, completing its sixth season. However, starting November 27, a significant programming change will usher in the pre-Christmas season.
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What Will the Broadcaster Show Instead?
As ProSieben announced, TV journalist Jenke von Wilmsdorff will take over. The reporter is no stranger to viewers, having already produced several investigative formats for the broadcaster.
On November 27, “Jenke. Das Zucker-Experiment” will air, in which von Wilmsdorff once again embarks on a drastic self-experiment, examining the short-term effects of sugar on the body. He consumes 1 kilogram of the sweetener daily–according to our colleagues at FITBOOKOOK, even significantly fewer grams per day are extremely harmful to the body.
On December 4, another Jenke format will follow, focusing on the influence of the Italian mafia in Germany. A program about artificial intelligence will continue on Monday, December 11, during primetime on ProSieben. But what does this mean for the popular comedies and sitcoms that usually air on Monday evenings?
American Series Remain on ProSieben
A look at the numbers paints a mixed picture for the broadcaster’s American series segment. For example, on Monday, November 6, ProSieben aired a mix of episodes from “Young Sheldon,” “The Simpsons,” and “The Big Bang Theory” starting at 8:15 p.m. Other major networks aired longer formats such as “Loriot 100” (Das Erste), “Solo für Weiss” (ZDF), “Wer wird Millionär?” (RTL), or “Goodbye Deutschland!” (Vox). While “Young Sheldon” initially achieved relatively good ratings (7.8 and 6.5 percent in the target group), “The Simpsons” disappointed from around 9 p.m. (5.2 and 4.6 percent).
Nevertheless, fans of American series likely don’t need to worry, contrary to other media reports. According to ProSieben spokesperson Christoph Körfer, the program change is a tried-and-true concept that viewers are already accustomed to. “Reports by Jenke von Wilmsdorff on Mondays are very familiar to ProSieben viewers. But we can reassure TECHBOOK readers. After the holidays, American series will return to their usual Monday slot.”
Those who don’t want to miss series like “Modern Family,” “Two and a Half Men,” or episodes of the cult sitcom “Friends” until then can either find them on various streaming services or rely on other time slots on ProSieben.