Immediately after the announcement of the date of the new Bundestag election, the first television stations announced plans for election campaign reporting. RTL and ntv are planning three TV duels in a single evening. “In three consecutive rounds, two candidates for chancellor or top candidates from the SPD, CDU/CSU, Alliance 90/The Greens, FDP, AfD and the BSW should address the questions that concern the country. Initial discussions with the parties are now underway,” said the two broadcasters from the same TV family. There was no information about the date yet. The managing director of RTL News and ntv, Martin Gradl, said: “Early elections and unclear majorities require new approaches in TV election campaigns. Too many perspectives and possibilities for a classic TV duel, which is supposed to offer people real added value for their voting decision.”
The ZDF In response to a dpa request, the broadcaster announced that it was planning “a broad and content-rich information program” about the early federal election. “Several programs with the candidates for chancellor and the parties’ other top candidates will play a crucial role. Discussions on this are ongoing.” On the part of ARD When asked, it was said that an “overall program concept” for the election was currently being developed there. “Shared formats with ZDF also play a role. We are also examining the winter break for political talks with a view to the federal election date.”
