Heidi Klum used the TV start of the new season of “Germany’s Next Top Model” (GNTM) for a long speech in defense of her model casting show. “After I had to listen to so many things, especially in the last year, I would now like to take a stand, dear viewers,” said the 49-year-old at the beginning of the new season on Thursday evening. Headlines from critical media reports were also displayed .
The show has been criticized for years – for example because of the ideals of beauty that were represented there. For several years, the show, which is now in its 18th season, has been committed to “diversity” – diversity.
“I come from a time when the industry worked very differently,” said Klum. Anyone who didn’t fit in a size 34 could go home – she often did that too. Interview excerpts were from that in her early days as a model, in which she talks about being just too curvy for many jobs.
Klum also denied allegations that the show was fake: “We’re a reality show and we show exactly what’s happening.”
Klum’s defense speech could only be seen on the first TV broadcast at 8:15 p.m. – not in the stream and not in the repeat of the show that night. “Some things don’t repeat themselves in life. And for others, 8:15 p.m. on ProSieben is the best time,” said broadcaster spokesman Christoph Körfer.
ProSieben satisfied despite falling ratings
An average of 1.73 million viewers watched the start of the 18th season on Thursday evening. In the total audience, this corresponded to a market share of 7.3 percent from 8:15 p.m. A year ago, around 300,000 more watched the start, two years ago even around 600,000.
ProSieben was nevertheless satisfied, since the market share in the target group of young viewers – 14 to 49 years old – which is considered important – was “a wonderful 19.9 percent”, said the private broadcaster in Unterföhring near Munich.
The so-called net reach from three years was 4.94 million viewers. This means the number of people who tuned in briefly at least once. (dpa)