Anne Will: ARD Talk will be discontinued at the end of 2023
ARD Sunday’s “Anne Will” talk will be discontinued at the end of the year
Presenter Ann Weill has been running her own political talk show since September 2007
Source: dpa / Wolfgang Borrs
At the end of 2023, after 16 years, the ARD political talk show “Anne Will” will end. The 56-year-old presenter would like to switch to new projects. NDR General Director Joachim Knuth hailed its show as “part of the history of German television and live pluralism”.
DrARD’s political talk show “Anne Will” will be discontinued on Sunday evenings at the end of this year. It was announced by NDR on Friday. Ann Will decided not to extend her expired contract. After that, she would host and produce the show for the next 16 years. The 56-year-old wants to turn to new projects in the future, “which she’s already in talks with NDR.” NDR and ARD are in talks about a successor to the Sunday format. No details are given.
“I have always really enjoyed doing the show and I am very grateful for the trust you have placed in my journalistic work and the great success our show has had. Last year we were once again the most watched political discussion show on German-language television.” This is the time to say: “With my great team, I would like to focus fully on the remaining programs, that is, to fulfill the contract with undiminished commitment and with great joy, but I do not want to extend it. 2024 is a new beginning! Then it is time for change, other projects, new perspectives.”
NDR director Joachim Knuth described Sunday’s debates in Part One as “a part of German television history and live pluralism. The different positions help the audience form an opinion.” Ann Weill has shaped the country’s political debate with great success for many years: “She teaches, surprises, sometimes provokes. Guests and the public appreciate her straightforwardness and professionalism. I am very grateful to Mrs. Weil for such a consistent and powerful performance.”
According to the NDR, “Anne Will” is the most watched political discussion show on German-language television. The past two years have been the most successful since “Anne Will” began in September 2007. Will, who previously worked as a moderator at Tagstemen, took over the Sunday evening position from Sabine Christiansen, who ran a political talk for ARD for years. In 2022, “Anne Will” will be watched on average on Sunday evening by more than 3.6 million viewers – this corresponds to a market share of 15.1%.
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