RTL Tonight Hits New Low in Viewership, Sparking Debate Over Show’s Future
Amsterdam, Netherlands – RTL Tonight, hosted by Beau van Erven Dorens, reached a new low in viewership on Wednesday, drawing just 239,000 viewers, according to TV authority Tina Nijkamp. The continued decline in ratings is fueling speculation about the future of the late-night talk show and the role of RTL 4 channel boss Peter van der Vorst, who has staunchly defended the program despite its ongoing struggles.
The show’s consistently poor performance represents a important challenge for RTL 4, particularly as it navigates the upcoming departure of Arjen Lubach’s popular late-night program. While Lubach’s exit could perhaps benefit RTL Tonight, analysts suggest the show’s current trajectory indicates a deeper issue than simply a lack of competition.The program’s struggles are prompting questions about its alignment with the broader RTL 4 audience and the impact of its editorial direction.
Nijkamp highlighted the dismal figures in her podcast, stating, “Really very little. Unbelievable. yes, that is of course not going so well.” She expressed hope for a slight enhancement following Lubach’s departure next week, but acknowledged the current situation is ”not going very well.”
TV critic Victor Vlam pinpointed guest Sander Schimmelpenninck as a potential factor in the show’s low ratings. He noted that RTL Tonight reached its lowest viewership point during schimmelpenninck’s appearance on Wednesday, and also experienced a low of 291,000 viewers during his previous appearance on September 9th.
Vlam further explained on X (formerly Twitter): “sander’s poor scores are no surprise. A large number of the people he calls stupid are RTL viewers. The real question is why Peter van der Vorst thought it was good to give RTL Tonight an elitist profile. That turned out to be a really big mistake.”
The criticism centers on a perceived disconnect between the show’s content and the preferences of the typical RTL 4 viewer, with Vlam suggesting the RTL management is “too much in their own Amsterdam bubble.”
Some industry observers believe a shift in strategy, potentially involving Renze Klamer as the program’s figurehead and a move away from the current desk format, could revitalize the show. However, Peter van der Vorst’s continued support for the existing format remains a significant obstacle to change.
