Munich, 14 April 2026. A joyful return for Rex - Vienna Calling: The newest iteration of the iconic franchise has delivered a solid first showing for Germany’s SAT.1, achieving above-average ratings despite strong competition, and performing especially well within the key 14-49 demographic. Meanwhile, the concurrent premiere on Austria’s ORF delivered outstanding ratings with a staggering a 29% market share, attracting 754,000 viewers. Viewers not only tuned in, data shows they watched the premiered episode all the way through to the end.

On SAT.1, the first episode of the new crime series around the world’s most iconic police dog aired in primetime and performed particularly well in the highly sought-after 14–49 demographic, reaching 9.9% market share with 0.4 million viewers, a clearly above-average primetime result for the channel. Overall, Rex - Vienna Calling (6x2h) attracted almost 1.6 million viewers within the total audience, securing a 7% market share for the broadcaster.

Local critics praised the new series, enjoying the “fresh team and plenty of Viennese charm” (TV neu), calling Rex and his new owner a “perfect detective duo” (TV Aktuell), and pointed to the “comforting sense of familiarity without ever seeming outdated” (DWDL).

The follow-up broadcast on SAT.1 of the very first episode of the original 1994 series, Rex - A Cop’s Best Friend (123x1h) starring Tobias Moretti, also drew respectable figures, with almost a million viewers and a 7.4% overall market share, and 8.4% market share in the 14–49 demographic. With these results, SAT.1 held its own against strong counterprogramming from public and commercial broadcasters, including RTL’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

The evening once again underlined the enduring broad appeal of the Rex franchise, delivering market shares well above SAT.1’s primetime average and resonating with a broad audience. Beta Film handles world sales.