Berlin politicians stop birth reality TV show

Berlin’s state government decided to stop private broadcaster RTL from filming in the city-owned Vivantes hospital for its series Baby Boom – Wilkommen im Leben – a copy of the British show One Born Every Minute.

At least 30 cameras had been set up in the capital’s Friedrichshain hospital to film mothers-to-be, their families and even their births, as well as staff, promising that the end result would give “authentic glimpses in the world of real feelings.”

Those mothers who signed up to take part in the show would have their babies in separate areas of the hospital and be filmed.

But just over a week after filming had begun, the city’s politicians instructed the hospital to shut down the operation – to protect the privacy of the babies being born.

“Even if the mothers and their families have given their consent to the filming, the child will likely be confronted with the footage later in life,” said Mario Czaja, Berlin state health minister.

RTL said on Tuesday it was surprised by the decision, and that all legal questions had been worked out well in advance between the producers and the hospital.

DPA/The Local/hc