Böhmermann out? ZDF launches 'Journal Deluxe' with Florian Schroeder

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Böhmermann out? ZDF launches 'Journal Deluxe' with Florian Schroeder.

That was quick: Just one week after the announced departure of Jan Böhmermann's 'ZDF Magazin Royale', the broadcaster is setting a new course. As Focus and Spiegel report in agreement, a new satire format called 'Journal Deluxe' will launch in November – with Florian Schroeder at the helm.

Anyone who has been tuning into Böhmermann on Saturdays will soon have to get used to new faces. The change comes surprisingly fast and raises the question of how the Mainz-based broadcaster intends to fill the obvious gap in its late-evening programming.

What's clear so far: ZDF is responding directly to Böhmermann's departure, presenting Schroeder – a well-known name in political cabaret – and programmatically promising viewers a new tone.

What's known so far about 'Journal Deluxe'

According to both sources, 'Journal Deluxe' is a ZDF satire format set to launch in November. The show will be hosted by Florian Schroeder, who is known, among other things, for his ARD show 'Deutschland, wie ich es will' (Germany, As I Want It) and his touring solo programs.

The name deliberately sounds like adult entertainment in TV format – a play on the word 'Journal' and a certain 'Deluxe' standard. What exactly this will mean in terms of content, ZDF is deliberately leaving open according to Focus, and according to Spiegel only vaguely speaks of 'a new satire shade'. Literally from Spiegel:

According to ZDF, viewers can expect »a new satire shade.«

The timing: ZDF responds directly to Böhmermann

Focus puts it this way: "One week after the announced end of Jan Böhmermann's show, ZDF is presenting a new satire format." The timeline is noticeably short: While such programming changes usually take months between announcement and relaunch, ZDF is visibly jumping ahead here.

That's understandable – after all, 'ZDF Magazin Royale' leaves behind a well-established late Saturday night time slot with a loyal viewership. With Florian Schroeder, the broadcaster is bringing on board someone who understands the craft of political cabaret and has regularly performed before larger audiences.

Open questions that should soon be answered

What the sources don't yet provide are details on the exact time slot, broadcast frequency, and concept. It also remains to be seen how 'Journal Deluxe' intends to differentiate itself content-wise from classic late-night formats or traditional cabaret on Das Erste.

Only one thing is certain: ZDF is deliberately positioning itself with this pace as a broadcaster that doesn't want to give up political satire on Saturdays. You can be curious to see what Schroeder makes of the 'Deluxe' promise.

Sources: Focus, Spiegel