Teaching a new dog old tricks: SAT.1's TV show 'Kommissar Rex'

Jones, Christopher (2000) Teaching a new dog old tricks: SAT.1's TV show 'Kommissar Rex'. Journal of popular culture, 34 (3). pp. 27-42. ISSN 0022-0384

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Abstract

Kommissar Rex (Inspector Rex) is a television crime show that has enjoyed a high degree of popularity on German television since the first episode, Endstation Wien (Terminus Vienna), was broadcast on 10 November 1994.’ It is produced by mungo-Film and Taurus-Film (part of the KirchGruppe) for an independent broadcaster SAT. 1 in collaboration with the Austrian national broadcaster Osterreichischer Rundfimk (OW). Occupying a regular Thursday evening slot from 8: 15 to 9: 15 on SAT. 1, it has on occasion been expanded to fill a number of two-hour specials. Set in Vienna, it centers around the investigative work of the detective division of the police force, whose efforts are made easier by the help of the eponymous canine star. The aim of this article is to study the noticeable developments in the most recent seasons of Kommissar Rex that have coincided with a remarkable drop in popularity among the viewing public.