After 48 years: ORF pulls the connector at 1, 2 or 3!

After 48 years: ORF pulls the connector at 1, 2 or 3!

Vienna, Österreich - The known children's show "1, 2 or 3" will no longer be shown in the program of the Austrian Radio (ORF). After almost 48 years of running, the ORF withdraws from the production of the happiness and knowledge show by the end of 2023. The last consequences already produced will be broadcast by the end of the year. The ORF has been in charge of FS 1 since the premiere of the program in December 1977 before the format was also seen on ZDF and Swiss television. With the exit of the ORF, ZDF will in future bear the sole responsibility for the show.

A spokesman for the ZDF thanked for the long -term cooperation with the ORF and confirmed the continuation of the show on his own. The ZDF planning includes 26 new episodes, as well as two 60-minute family shows with prominent candidates that are to be broadcast in the coming year.

new format "The Super Class"

To compensate for the departure, the ORF works on a new format entitled "The Super Class". This broadcast will start on ORF Kids and ORF 1 in September and is aimed at students of the fourth elementary school class. Fanny Stapf and Stefan Gruber will moderate the show, in which various school classes from all over Austria compete against each other. Here skill, knowledge and creativity should be tested in several rounds.

The winner class will not only receive the "super class" cup, but will also win a cash prize. The start of the shoot for this new format took place in April and promises to compensate for an exciting break in the long-term “1, 2 or 3” tradition in ORF.

historical meaning of "1, 2 or 3"

"1, 2 or 3" has developed into a classic of children's television since 1977. The show, which is the first interactive children's program on German television, has seen many different moderators over the years, including Michael Schanze, until it was finally taken over by Elton. Interactivity was expanded in 2004 by introducing a teletext system for spectator participation.

The development of children's programs in Germany and Austria is a fascinating chapter in television history. While ZDF started with its children's programs in 1967, "1, 2 or 3" quickly became a pioneer and had a lasting influence on the genre of children's television. With the decision of the ORF to withdraw, however, an important chapter ends that lasted more than four decades.

the ORF has joined the change by now designing "the super class", which hopefully will find the same popularity among young spectators as "1, 2 or 3" has done over the years. But the parents and children in Austria can already look forward to new experiences and challenges that are waiting for them in the coming year. The ORF once again shows that it is willing to adapt to the changes in the media landscape.

For further information and backgrounds on this topic, see Vienna, small Zeitung and BPB.