Moderator Steffen Hallaschka (51) has extended his contract with RTL by "several years". The broadcaster announced this on Tuesday. In addition to the moderation of "stern TV" and "stern TV Spezials", the agreement also includes other projects for various offers of the group.

Hallaschka is pleased about the further cooperation. "In times of major changes in the television market, 'stern TV' remains one of the few lighthouses because the program stands for orientation and entertainment in equal measure," says the moderator. "I'm passionate about both and I'm happy that the 'stern TV' studio will remain my second living room. There will be other projects planned under the RTL umbrella. One will soon have its premiere."

In a video message on Instagram, he even speaks of the extension of the "marriage contract" with RTL. After twelve and a half years, they are "just before the parsley wedding, and you don't switch so quickly and carelessly anymore," explains Hallaschka. In the video, he promises that his new project is "nearly complete" and that he will talk about it "soon at this point".

According to RTL program director Stephan Schmitter, Hallaschka is "one of the best and most likeable moderators in Germany". Schmitter emphasized the 51-year-old's "journalistic flair" and "great empathy when talking to those affected". "All of this makes him one of the most popular RTL moderators. I am therefore very pleased that we will continue to do many great shows and exciting new projects together with Steffen Hallaschka in the years to come."

Since January 2011, Steffen Hallaschka has moderated "stern TV" and "stern TV Spezials" on RTL as well as various program events. For example, in April 2015 he could be seen in the 12-hour Spiegel TV documentary on VOX about the end of the war in 1945 or in 2021 in the RTL special "Attack on our Children". From 2006 to 2010 he moderated the weekly consumer magazine "Markt" on NDR television. Steffen Hallaschka was nominated for the Grimme Prize in 2004 for his moderation of the WDR political show "Kanzlerbungalow".

On Wednesday Hallaschka receives the new jungle queen Djamila Rowe (55) on "stern TV" for the traditional interview after "I'm a star – get me out of here!".