Rosenheim cops defy criticism: ratings remain strong despite change!

Rosenheim cops defy criticism: ratings remain strong despite change!

The ZDF series “The Rosenheim Cops” is an integral part of the German television landscape and has enjoyed great popularity for over 20 years. In the current 25th season, new investigator duos have earned their spurs again, but not every fan is enthusiastic about the frequent changes. Karin Thaler, an experienced actress in the series, has now commented on the harsh reviews and emphasized: “The ratings speak for themselves,” reports Mercury.

The numbers are actually impressive: The first episode of the new season, which was broadcast on October 7, 2025, was tuned in by 3.43 million viewers, while the most recent episode, “Spuk in Rosenheim,” was able to captivate around 3.18 million people. That says a lot about the stability of the ratings. Despite the challenges, the team is happy that the audience is there and follows how the chief detectives Sven Hansen and Anton Stadler solve a mysterious death.

A lasting legacy: Joseph Hannesschläger

However, the connection to the “Rosenheim Cops” tradition does not remain untouched. The popular inspector Korbinian Hofer, played by Joseph Hannesschläger, leaves a lasting legacy. His final episode after more than 400 appearances recently reached over six million viewers. This is an impressive record that represents the special appeal of the series, as T-Online reports: "The last episode with Hannesschläger was broadcast on Wednesday evening in prime time" and this despite a competing carnival pageantry session that only had around three million viewers.

Although his role in the episode "Shot Trip to Death" was cut short due to health restrictions, fans can look forward to another sighting of his character on March 17, when Hofer says goodbye to his colleagues. Joseph Hannesschläger died on January 20, 2020 at the age of 57, which deeply moved the fans and the team.

Odds comparison

How does “Rosenheim Cops” compare to other crime series in Germany? A look at the average viewership of first broadcasts of selected crime series shows: The ZDF series remains very popular and shows that the market for crime series is still doing well. According to Statista, overall ratings for crime series last year were impressive. A detailed analysis is below Statista to find.

The challenges of the series with the changing cast and the lasting legacy of Hannesschläger are certainly not to be overlooked. But the “Rosenheim Cops” show that they can survive the fashion trend over the years with style and charisma – and the audience remains loyal to them.