Munich – September 12, 2026 -- Bayerischer Rundfunk's documentary series "Rise & Fall 1860 München" has won the German Television Award for Best Editing in the Information category, capping a launch run that generated 3.4 million views on the ARD Mediathek streaming platform.
Editor Xenja Kupin receives top honor at Cologne ceremony
The award was presented on September 8 during the "Night of the Creatives" gala in Cologne to editor Xenja Kupin, whose cutting style defined the series' visual signature. The series drew 1.6 million views in its first week alone, according to BR.
Series launched ARD-wide format on football club histories
"Rise & Fall 1860 München" served as the pilot production for a new ARD-wide series examining the rise and fall of major German football clubs and their regional economic and cultural impact. The documentary premiered in autumn 2025 and was produced by BR editorial team Thomas Becht and Andreas Egertz in coordination with ARD Sports Coordination.
BR Sports Director Christoph Netzel credited the production team, including authors Lennart Bedford-Strohm, Robert Grantner, Christoph Nahr and Maximilian Stockinger, alongside Kupin's editing work, for turning the club's turbulent history into what he called a commercial success for the network.
Production also earned Grimme Award nomination
The series had already secured a nomination for the Grimme Prize, one of Germany's leading television honors, in early 2026.
Second BR production wins Best Entertainment Direction
BR also won the Best Direction Entertainment category at the same ceremony for "Silvester-Schlagerboom 2026 - die Wunderlichtershow," a New Year's Eve entertainment special produced for Das Erste.