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 last year, I would like to take a stand now, dear viewers,” said the 49-year-old at the beginning of the new season. In addition, headlines from critical media reports were displayed.
The show has been criticized for years – for example because of the beauty ideals 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 – that’s what she often did herself. In addition, interview excerpts from her early days as a model were shown, in which she talks about being simply too curvy for many jobs.
Klum: “We show exactly what is happening”
Klum also denied allegations that the show was not real: “We are a reality show and show exactly what is happening.” Klum’s defense speech was only seen on the first TV broadcast at 8:15 p.m Repeat the show at 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.
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.
