Winter Olympics Break Viewership Records in Germany, but 'Tatort' Still Reigns Supreme

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina are breaking popularity records on German television. According to data published by Bayerischer Rundfunk, the public broadcaster ARD has already recorded over 105 million live broadcast viewers, which constitutes a historic result for this type of event. 2026-02-20: 75, 2026-02-21: 88, 2026-02-22: 97, 2026-02-23: 105 As reported by DIE WELT, never before have so many Germans watched broadcasts of the Winter Games. This success is even more significant as it was achieved despite the increasing fragmentation of the media market and competition from streaming platforms. The first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France. Germany first participated in the Winter Olympics in 1928 in St. Moritz, achieving its greatest successes in sports such as bobsleigh, luge, and figure skating. Despite impressive numbers, the sports spectacle's dominance is not absolute. As industry media reports, the finale of the popular reality show 'Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!' (Dschungelcamp) dominated Sunday evening, attracting over 5 million viewers and outperforming both Olympic broadcasts and other program offerings. This "crime thriller about ratings," as Focus's headline calls it, demonstrates the enduring strength of a traditional, narrative format in direct competition with major sports and entertainment shows. „Die Live-Übertragungen aus Cortina schlagen alle Rekorde. Deutschland erlebt eine richtige Olympia-Fernseh-Erfahrung.” (The live broadcasts from Cortina are breaking all records. Germany is experiencing a real Olympic TV experience.) — Bayerischer Rundfunk The results of German athletes at the Games have met with mixed reactions, prompting the head of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) to publicly defend the team. Amid discussions about sports results, representatives of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) are calling for calm and support for the athletes, emphasizing that the assessment of performances should consider strong international competition. His statement comes amid discussions about expectations for the German team, which in previous editions of the Winter Games regularly placed among the top medal winners. Vesper called for patience and support for the athletes, reminding everyone of the unique nature and pressure associated with competing at the world's most important sporting event. TV Program Viewership in Germany (estimates): : → ; : → ; : → The competition for viewers' attention among the three main formats – live sports, a scripted crime series, and an entertainment reality show – provides an interesting case study of contemporary media preferences. While the Games offer unpredictability and the excitement of real-time competition, 'Tatort' provides a proven crime formula with beloved detectives, and 'Dschungelcamp' relies on celebrity controversies. 'Tatort's' success in this triangle demonstrates viewers' enduring loyalty to this decades-old brand. Focus's analysis describes this Sunday competition as a "crime thriller about ratings," emphasizing that even a mass event like the Olympics must reckon with the power of local cultural phenomena.