Up or flop? “Bluewin” gives a rating of 4.5

Urs Gredig is the successor to Roger Schawinski and awaits talks from SRF chief Nathalie Wappler. But he is under fire: the quotas are falling, he is boring, he is criticized. “Bluewin” looks closely at his fourth talk.

With great enthusiasm, SRF announced the return of CNN money man Urs Gredig in early 2020. Gredig was to follow in the (big) footsteps of Roger Schawinski. SRF described Gredig’s new talk format as follows: At its weekly event, it welcomes prominent guests from politics, business, entertainment, sports and society.

Just started, the 49-year-old journalist is criticized: his format is “The Summit of Kindness,” writes NZZ journalist Francesco Benini. “Gredig direkt” is as fun as a weather forecast and just spreads boredom. A show of caresses of well-being.

Harsh words And the share is also sinking: from 202,000 viewers initially, interest drops to 154,000 viewers, writes blick.ch.

Reason enough to put “Gredig direkt” number four on the dissection table. His guest: Gourmet Pope Andreas Caminada (42).

How does Schloss Schauenstein’s renowned businessman Graubünden expect the reopening of his business? Did the Federal Council provide the catering industry with good and sufficient information during the Corona crisis? And what the blockage means to him, Urs Gredig wanted to know, among other things.

It was a quiet conversation at eye level, with some glimpses of the Caminada empire. After all, Andreas Caminda is a media professional and not a René Schudel-like rapist or fanatic like his colleague Tim Mälzer (“Kitchen Impossible”).

««The pinnacle of goodness»»

It was not a heated discussion: not a hot chili con carne, but a warm and good soufflé.

If I were to give Gredig a (school) rating, it would be a 4.5 or 5. Of course, the Top News reporter is ready. He has interviewed various political figures and business captains in his career.

But a talk show that lasts over half an hour in a sterile, modern studio is somewhat different. Not a big deal, just two people and recently a partition between them.

Comparing Urs Gredig directly to his predecessor Roger Schawinski would be a little unfair. The Zurich media pioneer is one of the best interviewers in the nation; his speech was canceled after 388 episodes.

It’s like comparing a Swiss national soccer player to Lionel Messi: big steps.

Was it correct to send Roger Schawinski to retirement and replace him with Urs Gredig? Opinions differ there. Because Roger Schawinski polarized viewers like no other, Urs Gredig does not do that.

The conversation with Andreas Caminada made it clear: there is still room for improvement. If “Gredig direkt” were a dish, you’d want more water, a little more salt, and definitely more pepper. The must is (still) missing. Good enough, but not great.

Gredig directly

Thu 30.04. 22:25 – 23:00 | SRF 1

CH 2020 | 35 min

These legends turned their backs on SRF.

These legends turned their backs on SRF

In 2019, trainer and former “arena” correspondent Jonas Projer was drawn to blick tv after 13 years.

Michael Bont, SRF alpine ski expert, will also be leaving in 2019. He started in the 2008/2009 season.

Popular “Meteo” expert Thomas Kleiber was arrested in November 2018 after 11 years of SRF. He moved to Sweden for love.

He moved in 2018 after 11 years at SRF: Annina Frey, “G&G” presenter.

Ski legend Bernhard Russi was a ski commentator for 30 years, alongside Matthias Hüppi. Detained in 2017.

From SRF to MySports: Steffi Buchli changed the fronts in 2017.

Until 2017, he was a news man on SRF: Urs Gredig, today head of CNN Money Switzerland.

He moved from SRF to FC St. Gallen in late 2017 as club president.

Stephan Klapproth (“10vor10”) also went to Swiss television in 2016.

Viktor Giacobbo and Mike Müller started their own projects after the end of 2016.

“Tagesschau” journalist Beatrice Müller turned her back on SRF in 2013 after 16 years. He started his own business at the age of 52.

Bernard Thurnheer was properly retired in late 2013. Until the end of 2018, he had occasional assignments as a sports journalist (“sports landscape”, “Super League – Goool”).