RTL Deutschland hires Netflix programming exec

Broadcaster RTL Deutschland has hired Netflix programming executive Inga Leschek as programming chief for RTL and streaming service RTL+.

Inga Leschek

Leschek was previously director of non-fiction programming for Netflix in the DACH and CEE regions, a role she took on in October 2021. Prior to joining Netflix, she was managing director of production outfits RTL Studios – formerly Norddeich TV and 99pro Media, which she was responsible for merging in. 2020.

Prior to her first period at RTL she worked for production outfit Tresor TV, ad  production outfit  Neue Sentimental Film and Austrian broadcasters ORF and ATV.

In her new role she will report to Stephan Schmitter, managing director of programming and brands for RTL Deutschland.

“For us, Inga Leschek is the absolute ideal candidate for this central position in terms of both content and strategy. On the one hand, she has great expertise and passion for linear television and our viewers, on the other hand, she played a key role in shaping the content from and in Germany at the world’s largest streaming provider. Together with our content teams and partners, we want to recapture the market leadership for RTL on TV in the 14-59 range, continue the strong growth of RTL+ amid intense competition with the international platforms and, through the uniform management of the RTL brand across linear and non-linear, cement our leading position and further expand the streaming broadcaster. I am really looking forward to working together,” said Schmitter.

“After an extremely exciting and instructive time at Netflix, which I wouldn’t have missed, this feels like coming home. I would like to thank Stephan Schmitter for his expressed trust and am very happy about the challenging task of aligning and helping to shape the linear and digital content of RTL and RTL+. I have known and appreciated many of my great colleagues for years, I am very much looking forward to working with the others and the creativity and passion for formats and content of all kinds. I am aware of my responsibility for established and new brands in a challenging and changing market; but I can’t think of anything more exciting than working with this strong team to achieve our common goals. With a clear direction and in close cooperation with the dedicated producers, we will succeed in inspiring people with our TV and streaming content,” said Leschek.