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ZDF Plans Saturday 'heute-journal' at 21:45 Starting January 2026

The plan responds to successful late-October tests, pending internal committee approval.

Overview

  • ZDF targets January 10, 2026, to make the earlier Saturday slot the regular time for the program.
  • The shift aligns Saturday with the 21:45 schedule used Sunday through Thursday, with Friday remaining the exception.
  • The broadcaster cites a desire for more reliable scheduling for viewers, while retaining flexibility to move the slot for entertainment shows.
  • Test runs at 21:45 drew about four million viewers, and the subsequent crime repeats 15 minutes later topped three million.
  • ZDF had pushed the Saturday edition to 22:45 about 15 years ago to accommodate a crime repeat and give the Aktuelles Sportstudio a fixed start.