Anne Will's talk show on the first ARD program will be discontinued at the end of the year.

The program named after the moderator ends after 16 years, according to the Norddeutscher Rundfunk.

It is said that Anne Will has ruled out a contract extension for the previous show in favor of new projects, about which she is also in discussion with NDR.

According to the NDR, "Anne Will" is the most-watched political discussion program on German-speaking television.

The past two years have been the most successful since "Anne Will" started in 2007. In 2022, an average of more than 3.6 million viewers followed the talk show on Sunday evenings, which corresponds to a market share of 15.1 percent.

"Part of German TV history"

"The Sunday debates on the first are part of German TV history and lived plurality," said NDR Director General Joachim Knuth: "Different positions help the audience form an opinion.

Anne Will has shaped the political discussion in the country with great success for many years: she informs, surprises, and sometimes she provokes.

Guests and the public appreciate her straightforwardness and professionalism.

I am very grateful to Ms. Will for this constant and strong performance.

We are now looking ahead, looking forward to the next issues of 'Anne Will' and are already working on projects for the future.”

"As young as the year is, it's worth looking ahead," said Anne Will.

"My contract with NDR ends on December 31, 2023, after 16 years of political talk shows on the first, almost twelve of them on the legendary Sunday evening.

I have always really enjoyed doing the show and I am infinitely grateful for the trust placed in my journalistic work and the great success of our show.

In the past year, we were again by far the most-watched political discussion program on German-speaking television.

This is a good time to say: I want to concentrate fully on the remaining programs together with my great team, i.e. fulfill the contract with undiminished commitment and great joy, but I do not want to extend it.

2024 is a new start!

Then it's time for a change

Christine Strobl, ARD program director, said: "When Anne Will says goodbye at the end of the year, she has shaped the political talk in the first for over 16 years.

This was and is only possible because she continued to develop personally and with her mission.

The fact that she is now consistently pursuing this path and facing up to new challenges is admirable, but it is also what defines her as a political journalist.

It is not yet time to say goodbye, but I wish Anne Will the élan and enthusiasm for discussion for the next 30 issues of her talk format that have made her show a trademark and are so popular with her audience.”

NDR and ARD are in talks about a successor to the Sunday format, according to the NDR.