On 2 January 1984, the television channel RTL – then known as RTL Plus – was broadcast for the first time. As Germany’s first private channel, the launch marked a milestone in the history of German television – and has provided a variety of programmes and unforgettable moments ever since. RTL Deutschland is celebrating the milestone with an anniversary quiz show and a large-scale marketing campaign.

The big anniversary show

Hosted by Sonja Zietlow, 40 Jahre RTL – Das große Jubiläumsquiz (40 years of RTL – The big anniversary quiz) will celebrate unforgettable highlights from the last four decades. The quiz participants – including well-known RTL stars such as Günther Jauch, Frauke Ludowig, Oliver Geissen, Ilka Bessin, Daniel Hartwich, Bruce Darnell, Wigald Boning and Olivia Jones – will compete in various rounds by answering questions on the history of RTL in Germany. During the quiz, participants and the audience will revisit unforgettable TV highlights from the last four decades, such as Ein Schloß am Wörthersee (A castle on Lake Wörthersee), extreme jungle trials, journalistic achievements and sports achievements from Formula 1 to NFL. Tune in on 6 January at 20:15!

German TV presenter Sonja Zietlow says: “RTL is of course my RTL! I'm very proud to be able to present this special programme. The guests are simply amazing – it’s great to be able to welcome such high-calibre RTL stars to the show. There's no better way to celebrate RTL's 40th birthday!”

Colourful, loud and unique

The large-scale marketing campaign, which will run until 4 February, features over 50 well-known faces from RTL. With the motto “Schon immer von allem etwas mehr” (Always a little more of everything), the campaign celebrates popular formats and innovative highlights. Each of the well-known faces – including Jan Köppen, Frauke Ludowig, Katja Burkard, Inka Bause, Daniel Hartwich and Sonja Zietlow – relate this claim to the format they are most well-known for. The cross-media campaign was designed in-house by RTL Deutschland’s Marketing department and will run on TV and social media, alongside a smaller internal campaign for all colleagues.

Inga Leschek, Programme Managing Director RTL and RTL+ at RTL Deutschland, says: “The launch of RTL marked the beginning of a new era for German television. Our recipe for success has always been a bit louder, a bit bolder - simply being a bit more of everything. We have always communicated in an approachable and clear way to reach a wide audience. With this way of creating programmes, we have been hitting the mark with our viewers for 40 years. Today, RTL stands for the most successful TV brands in Germany, strong information programmes and great live sport, and we will remain true to our RTL programme promise in the future.”