Tina Nijkamp has discovered something very strange: RTL 4 has broadcast a brand new episode of the Chantal Janzen show Beat the Champions in the afternoon. What exactly is going on here?
In the television world, large, expensive productions are only broadcast during prime time, when most people are watching television. Yet something strange happened last Friday: RTL 4 broadcast a brand new episode of the precious Chantal Janzen show Beat the Champions at half past four in the afternoon. Silently, without announcement.
Chantal demoted
It was discovered by the famous ratings authority Tina Nijkamp. “Hey!!! What strange thing do I see now? Chantal Janzen has been relegated to the afternoon on RTL 4 with Beat the Champions????”, she wrote on her website this weekend analysis channel. “Oh no? This seems more like a huge programming blunder to me.”
Maybe RTL 4 accidentally broadcast a new episode instead of a repeat, Tina speculated. “A broadcast of Beat the Champions probably costs around 90,000 to 125,000 euros. A bit of a shame to spend an afternoon?”
Updated version
Tina soon provides clarity on this matter. “RTL will start with a new version of the format next year. A few ‘new old’ episodes were still ‘on the shelf’.”
Tina would not have done this herself if she had been television boss of RTL. “That’s a lot of wasted money. Couldn’t a primetime or late night slot be found for these episodes instead of Friday 3:30 PM? Strange.”
Totally new team
For now, Tina wonders what will change in the format. “Airing new episodes of Beat the Champions on Friday afternoons, random at 3:30 p.m., because there will be a completely new version next year, it probably also means that there will be a few new members in the Champions team.”
She concludes: “Perhaps something for former Smartest participants Rob Kemps or Francis van Broekhuizen? One thing seems certain to me: Chantal Janzen will continue to present.”