"Red Roses" and "Storm of Love" - ARD telenovelas keep their usual broadcast length
Beginning of June, it was announced that the ARD will only broadcast "Sturm der Liebe" and "Rote Rosen" half-hourly from 2025 - a bitter pill for many fans of the two telenovelas. However, the broadcaster is now rowing back: The two popular series will retain their usual 50-minute length beyond 2025. This was announced by the ARD on Wednesday (10th July).
Sender responds to fan criticism
The ARD video programming conference made this decision in their meeting, which still requires the approval of the relevant ARD committees. "Through optimization of production workflows and budget shifts, we have now secured the continuation of both daily series in their regular length until 2027," Program Director Christine Strobl is quoted as saying in the statement.
The sender seems to be responding to the criticism of the significant fanbase of "Sturm der Liebe" and "Rote Rosen". They were initially pleased that both telenovelas would be extended with new seasons until at least 2027. However, the decision to shorten episodes from around 48 minutes to approximately 24 minutes met with strong opposition. Users in social media criticized the "massive editing" of the two afternoon series. A fan even feared the end was nigh and wrote: "25 min, 10 min, 0 min and sadly goodbye."
"Rote Rosen" and "Sturm der Liebe": When is the summer break over?
"Sturm der Liebe" has been aired on the First since 2005 (Monday to Friday at 3:10 pm) and has produced over 4,200 episodes in 20 seasons. The series is produced by Bavaria Fiction and is considered the most successful daily running TV series in Europe. The series "Rote Rosen", produced by Studio Hamburg Serienwerft Lüneburg, premiered in the First in November 2006 (Monday to Friday at 2:10 pm). In total, the telenovela has recorded over 4,000 episodes in 22 seasons.
Currently, both telenovelas are in their summer break (from 21st May to 16th August). From Monday, 19th August, fans can tune in to "Rote Rosen" and "Sturm der Liebe" as usual on the First.
- Despite earlier announcements of shortening episodes for both "Sturm der Liebe" and "Rote Rosen," the ARD has now assured fans that the series will maintain their original 50-minute length, thanks to optimization of production workflows and budget shifts, as stated by Program Director Christine Strobl.
- Following fan criticism, the ARD has decided to extend both "Sturm der Liebe" and "Rote Rosen" in their regular length, offering relief to the substantial fanbase of these popular telenovelas.
- The ARD's decision to reduce episode lengths from approximately 24 minutes to 48 minutes for both series, initially announced for 2025, sparked backlash among fans who feared significant reductions in the acclaimed "Sturm der Liebe" and "Rote Rosen."
- In line with the ARD's revised decision, "Sturm der Liebe" and "Rote Rosen" fans can anticipate watching these series in their full 50-minute format, with new seasons continuing until at least 2027, as confirmed in the "Red Roses" and "Storm of Love" series announcements.
