Broadcasting company, SWR, discontinues the show "Railway Love Story" and addresses staffing decisions in comments made public.
In a move aimed at adapting to changing viewing habits and media usage, Germany's public broadcaster SWR has announced the discontinuation of its popular television show "Eisenbahn-Romantik". The decision, part of the austerity measures announced in June 2024, comes as the broadcaster seeks to free up resources for digital media.
For over three decades, "Eisenbahn-Romantik" has captivated audiences with its exploration of Germany's railway history and heritage. Hosted by Hagen von Ortloff from 1991 to 2015, the show has consistently attracted between 60,000 and 270,000 viewers nationwide. Over the past decade, it has achieved a market share of 3.2 to 4.2 percent in the SWR broadcast area.
The discontinuation of "Eisenbahn-Romantik" is not a sudden decision. In June 2024, SWR announced necessary austerity measures affecting its programming, including the dissolution of the "Eisenbahn-Romantik" editorial team by the end of the year. The show will no longer produce new episodes after 2026, but viewers can still access a repertoire of over 1000 films under the "Eisenbahn-Romantik" brand.
Hagen von Ortloff, who hosted the show until episode 861 and continued to appear in special episodes, expressed regret at the show's discontinuation. The new person who will replace him as the host after the turn of the millennium is not mentioned in the provided search results.
Despite the end of "Eisenbahn-Romantik", SWR remains committed to covering current railway topics. The documentary series "Mit dem Zug durch..." (ARTE) will continue to be broadcast on SWR. SWR will also continue to produce longer format programs for Das Erste and the ARD Mediathek.
The decision to discontinue "Eisenbahn-Romantik" is part of SWR's larger strategy to free up resources for digital media. As viewers' preferences shift towards digital platforms, SWR is adapting to meet these needs, signalling a new era for the broadcaster.
