The current "Bergretter" season is coming to an end more dramatically than ever before.
The penultimate episode of the ZDF series could now be outwitted by a Sat.1 film from 2010.
Ramsau am Dachstein - The 14th season of "Die Bergretter" brought unexpected serial deaths and fateful twists and turns that gave hope for an exciting finale from episode one.
The fifth of a total of six new episodes of the ZDF series runs on Thursday evening (April 6) - and at prime time has to compete with a real heavyweight in German TV history: the "Wanderhure".
"Mountain rescuers" have well-known competition: "Wanderhure" could surprise everyone
One thing is already certain: The "Bergretter" season finale should be more dramatic than ever before.
A number of questions remain unanswered, above all the uncertainty as to whether mountain rescue service leader Markus Kofler (Sebastian Ströbel, 46) will turn his back on his Austrian homeland after the recent events.
Episode five (“Toxic Legacy”) should provide information about this, in which the signs of the protagonist’s farewell intensify.
Family drama, tears and farewells: The 16th "Bergdoktor" season in pictures
Family drama, tears and farewells: The 16th "Bergdoktor" season in pictures
Before the season finale ("Grüner Mond"; on April 13) runs in the following week, there is a lot of excitement waiting for ZDF viewers - at least if they choose "Die Bergretter" on Thursday evening.
Because the ratings hit has well-known competition on the private channels: Sat.1 is simultaneously showing the first part of the "The Wandering Whore" trilogy.
The historical drama from 2010, in which Alexandra Neldel (47) took on the leading role, enjoys cult status with many television fans.
A whopping 9.75 million viewers (31.2 percent market share) saw the premiere on TV more than a decade ago.
"The Mountain Rescuers": Season 14 at a Glance
"Die Bergretter" is currently running on Thursdays at 8:15 p.m. on ZDF.
Here is an overview of the previous and upcoming episodes of the current season:
Episode 1: "At any price": ran on March 2nd, 2023 (available in media library)
Episode 2: "Altes Eisen": ran on March 16th, 2023 (available in media library)
Episode 3: "On the hunt": ran on March 23rd. 2023 (available in the media library)
Episode 4: "Shameless": ran on 03/30/2023 (available in the media library)
Episode 5: "Toxic Heritage": ran on 04/06/2023 (available in the media library)
Episode 6: "Green Moon": running on April 13, 2023 (available in media library)
Sat.1 relies on “The Wanderhure” and Co. – sudden drop in ratings for “Die Bergretter”?
Sat.1 is currently bringing self-produced film hits such as "Barefoot to the Neck" (2009), "Die Hebamme" (2014) or the "Wanderhure" trilogy (2010-2012) back into the program - at the request of the viewers, how the broadcaster announced in March.
It remains to be seen whether the hoped-for success will actually bear fruit.
For “Die Bergretter”, which always gives ZDF good ratings like “Der Bergdoktor” or “Das Traumschiff”, this could mean a loss of viewers.
The series can also be accessed free of charge in the ZDF media library - at any time...
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“Die Bergretter” are heading unerringly for their season finale (April 13), but in episode five (running on April 6), the ZDF series gets in the way of well-known competition: On Thursday evening, Sat.1 is showing the literary adaptation “Die wandering whore"
© Sat.1/Jiri Hanzl/dpa & ZDF/Barbara Bauriedl
Otherwise, Thursday evening is all about an exciting ratings war: ProSieben shows the latest episode of its hit show "Germany's Next Topmodel", RTL relies on the supermarket documentary from stern TV and the first broadcasts the "Zurich thriller" in the race.
ARD and ZDF are certainly not lacking in promising supplies: the new "Bergdoktor" season is currently being worked on diligently - Ronja Forcher (26) even showed the script.
Sources used:
zdf.de, sat1.de, hoerzu.de
List of rubrics: © Sat.1/Jiri Hanzl/dpa & ZDF/Barbara Bauriedl