Konstanze Beyer From RTLZWEI: How Real Is Reality TV?

How has reality TV changed from your perspective?

Konstanze Beyer: In principle, it all started with the talk shows of the 90s, in which the lives of normal people suddenly became a topic. But the starting signal for what we understand as reality TV today came from RTLZWEI with “Big Brother”. Suddenly it was possible to follow people's real experiences live – beyond news, shows or sport. Over the years, the genre has differentiated into a huge variety of styles. At the same time, the long-defining basic tone of crossing boundaries and breaking taboos has become less important. Today, reality is also mindful without being boring.  

How do you define reality TV at RTLZWEI?

Beyer: We see reality TV as a mirror of society. It can be escapism, entertainment or information. We want to depict life in all its facets.

You also do this in your social documentaries such as “Hartz und herzlich”. How important is transparency in this genre?

Beyer: Transparency is fundamental for social documentaries. The audience must be able to rely on seeing real stories and not staged reality. As we accompany the protagonists over many years, we experience all the highs and lows of life. Viewers feel this, especially if they have experienced similar situations and can relate to the emotions. That's what makes these programs so powerful.

How credible do your viewers find social documentaries?

Beyer: Audiences have become more critical and question what they see more, and rightly so. At the same time, there is a great desire for authenticity – all the more so in view of the possibility of AI-generated content. The challenge lies in mastering this balancing act: telling genuine, unadulterated stories and making it clear where to simply document and where to dramaturgically condense.