Climate change on television reaches the engaged but misses distant audiences

This report outlines how climate change is represented on German television and how different audience groups engage with it, based on an analysis of 23,478 broadcast hours and a national survey. It highlights that only 2.2% of airtime addresses climate issues, mostly in news formats, meaning climate‑distant audiences rarely encounter the topic. It also documents unequal representation of social groups, with politicians over‑featured and women, older people, people with disabilities and scientists under‑represented. 

The study recommends strengthening disaster risk reduction communication by diversifying storytelling formats, integrating climate themes into entertainment, and improving representation of marginalised groups to reach broader audiences. It further suggests that broadcasters adopt more inclusive, engaging and accessible approaches to counter issue fatigue, enhance public understanding and support more equitable climate and risk‑related communication.