He brought winter sports into millions of living rooms and, along the way, invented television formats that shaped generations. Now Manfred Vorderwülbecke has passed away at the age of 86. This was announced by Bavarian Broadcasting (BR).
Since the late 1960s, Vorderwülbecke had been a fixture in sports broadcasting - first at BR, later also at ARD. As a reporter, host, and commentator, he made a name for himself primarily in winter sports. But his greatest impact often unfolded away from the microphone: as an idea generator who set trends long before they became standard.
A Format That Became an Institution
Together with Eberhard Stanjek, Vorderwülbecke developed the program "Blickpunkt Sport" in the mid-1970s. For many viewers, it became a staple from then on. To this day, according to BR, the format remains one of the best-known in public broadcasting.
He also demonstrated foresight elsewhere. When Vorderwülbecke brought alpine skiing Olympic champion Rosi Mittermaier (1950-2023) in front of the camera as an expert in the 1970s, it was groundbreaking. Today, former athletes are an integral part of every sports program.
Ski Exercises for Home
His probably most popular legacy bears the distinctive name "Tele-Ski". People could participate in ski exercises in front of the television, guided by legends like Mittermaier, Christian Neureuther (77), or Franz Klammer (72). The idea has persisted to this day. Under a new name, the participatory program continues on ARD as "Tele-Gym".
Vorderwülbecke's coverage of the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck also remains unforgettable, when he commented on Rosi Mittermaier's legendary gold medal run. A year later, at the 1977 World Cup in Val d'Isère, he brought her to the microphone for the first time as an expert.
For BR, the loss weighs heavily. "With VW, as many affectionately called him, the BR sports department loses a giant, a beloved figure, a voice of winter sports, and a pioneer of sports journalism", BR Sports Director Christoph Netzel honored the deceased.
