RTL cancels German daily soap Unter uns after 32 years and nearly 8,000 episodes

End of a 32-year run in Cologne

German commercial broadcaster RTL announced on 31 August 2026 that it will conclude production of the daily soap opera Unter uns at the end of 2026. The series, which debuted on 28 November 1994, is set in the fictional Cologne residential district of Schillerallee and has filmed nearly 8,000 episodes in the city. The broadcaster confirmed that all completed episodes will air on linear television and the RTL+ streaming service through March 2027. The current season is set to conclude with a specially planned finale in March. Across its broadcast run, the soap reached over 6 million viewers during peak viewing periods, ranking as the second longest-running daily series on German television behind Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten, which has broadcast on RTL since 1992.

Strategic shifts in RTL daytime programming

Network executives cited shifting economic conditions for daily scripted programming, evolving audience viewing habits, and planned adjustments to the afternoon and pre-evening programme blocks as primary drivers for the decision. An RTL spokesperson stated that the cancellation represents a specific programming decision for the individual brand rather than a total retreat from serial drama, emphasizing that daily fiction remains a part of the channel's output. The broadcaster noted that priority is currently placed on acknowledging the three-decade run rather than detailing immediate schedule replacements.

A decision like this is anything but easy for us. But a strong programme also involves constantly developing it and reacting to changing framework conditions.

RTL confirmed that its other long-running daily serials, Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten and Alles was zählt, will continue production and remain in their established broadcast slots.

Production studio explores alternative platforms

Production company UFA Serial Drama announced that it does not consider the RTL cancellation as the definitive end of the series. The studio regards the narrative world of Schillerallee as an established brand with enduring storytelling potential and confirmed it is evaluating alternative distribution options to continue the show beyond 2027, including potential partnerships with other television networks or digital streaming platforms.

Unter uns is far more than a daily series. For over 30 years, Schillerallee has been a place for characters and stories that accompany millions of people.

Schwingel stated that UFA will carefully examine prospective avenues for new distribution channels while thanking RTL for more than three decades of collaborative broadcasting.

Fan reactions and subscription cancellations

The cancellation announcement triggered widespread frustration across social media platforms, where viewers expressed surprise at the decision. Commentators criticised the network for cutting established serials while funding newer entertainment projects, specifically citing investments in programming fronted by entertainer Stefan Raab. Other viewers questioned programming priorities that feature weekend marathons of scripted reality shows like Blaulichtreport and sports broadcasts. Multiple viewers announced plans to cancel their paid RTL+ streaming subscriptions, stating that access to daily episodes of Unter uns and early preview releases had served as their main motivation for subscribing. Some audience members also called for petitions to maintain the series on television.