Frank Plasberg (69) is stepping down as chairman of the jury for the Bremen Television and Digital Prize after 18 years. At the same time, he is retiring as host of the award ceremony. Radio Bremen announced this in a press release on Friday. Since the competition was relaunched in 2008, the former ARD political talk show host has been the central figure of the ARD Prize for outstanding regional journalism.
115 Awards in 18 Years
During this time, 115 awards were presented. The move comes at his own request - Plasberg wants to dedicate himself to new projects. "The work for the Bremen Television and Digital Prize has been an enriching task for me over many years", he explained. "I thank the jury members, partners and everyone involved for the trusting cooperation and wish the prize continued strong impact and many outstanding submissions."
Radio Bremen Director Yvette Gerner paid tribute to the outgoing chairman: "Frank Plasberg has shaped the prize with great professional competence, great passion for the regional and extraordinary personal commitment. His voice carries weight - not only within the jury, but far beyond. We thank him most sincerely for this special, long-standing achievement."
Once Honored Himself
Plasberg also knows the prize from the winners' perspective: in 1989 he received it together with Christine Westermann for a studio conversation on the "Aktuelle Stunde" about the Gladbeck hostage drama. He joined WDR television in the mid-1980s and hosted the program for 15 years. He later became known for formats such as "Hart aber fair" on ARD and "Plasberg persönlich" on WDR. His work has been honored with awards including the German Television Prize, the Adolf Grimme Prize and the Bambi.
Succession Still Open
Radio Bremen will announce who will take over the chairmanship, jury and hosting duties at a later date. The next call for submissions for the Bremen Television and Digital Prize will begin on July 1, 2026.
