- For two and a half decades, ZDF's "empty can" has been a staple.
A notable figure gracing the breakfast table conversations, along with cooking advice, gardening tips, health updates, and news from politics, economy, and society: this mix has been the key to ZDF's morning magazine "Volle Kanne"'s success for 25 years. Countless individuals tune in.
On August 30, 1999, the initial broadcast broadcasted on the screens, initially named "Volle Kanne, Susanne" and led by Susanne Stichler. In the coming week (starting August 26), the "Volle Kanne" team commemorates its anniversary and revisits notable moments from the show's history. Anticipated guests during the anniversary week include extreme athlete Joey Kelly with his son Luke, musician Thomas Anders, and Revolverheld frontman Johannes Strate, accompanied by pianist Sebastian Knauer.
"The blend of topics has enthralled audiences for a quarter of a century," says ZDF editor-in-chief Bettina Schausten. "At Germany's most renowned breakfast table, we discuss what truly stirs people within their daily lives."
Ranging from Monkeypox to Wine Yoga
To illustrate, this can take the form of discussions on the emerging Monkeypox variant, a preview of the recently initiated Ruhrtriennale cultural festival, and a piece on wine yoga - all covered within an 85-minute span. During the anniversary week, these topics will include upcoming state elections in Thuringia and Saxony.
"The past years have been trying for many. Shows like 'Volle Kanne' bring a sense of comfort and equilibrium to people's daily lives while helping to contextualize news," admits Nadine Krüger, who has been hosting the show (with a brief hiatus) since 2009.
The "Volle Kanne" team also engages with its spectators: viewer inquiries, for instance from Facebook, are often forwarded to the breakfast guests during the live broadcast. This year, between January 2 and August 21, an average of 0.637 million individuals have been tuned in, matching a market share of 15.1 percent - marginally surpassing the overall 2023 figure of 14.2 percent.
ARD has ceased its competing program
Approximately 250 broadcasts occur annually. "Volle Kanne" broadcasts every Monday through Friday from 9:05 to 10:30 AM - alternating between ARD and ZDF-produced "Morgenmagazin" as a morning magazine. As a morning magazine, "Volle Kanne" is now generally devoid of competitors - with the exception of "Sat.1-Frühstücksfernsehen," which continues until 10:00 AM.
ARD's "Live nach Neun" mimicked "Volle Kanne"'s structure until 2023, but it was discontinued after approximately five and a half years. At that time, ARD cited "savings in the linear program budget" to direct more focus towards the media library.
"To connect with people each day in their lives" - this is how "Volle Kanne" moderator Florian Weiss describes "perhaps the greatest challenge" of "Volle Kanne": "With all the things that consume them - from the present news situation to health matters, consumer protection, and legal issues, to cooking, gardening, and DIY furniture. Add a prominent guest, and for me, that's the epitome of excellence."
Regular experts also form a part of the cast - for example, Armin Roßmeier and Mario Kotaska as chefs, Cynthia Barcomi as Berlin's "Baking Queen," Ann-Kathrin Otto as an interior designer, Mick Wewers as a handyman, or Christoph Specht as a medical journalist.
Premiere in the anniversary edition
Weiss, similar to Krüger at 47 years old, has been the main host since 2021. He assumed the role from Ingo Nommsen, who was the face of the live show broadcast from Düsseldorf for 20 years. For the anniversary edition next Friday (30th August), ZDF promises a first: Krüger and Weiss will extend a warm welcome to viewers together from the "Volle Kanne" studio located at the Düsseldorf Media Harbour.
The blend of topics on "Volle Kanne" has captivated viewers for decades, including discussions about television events and trends. During the anniversary week, viewers can anticipate a segment discussing the upcoming state elections in Thuringia and Saxony.
Cooking inquiries from viewers are a common feature on the live broadcast, often discussed with the morning guests, providing an opportunity for viewers to engage with the program.
