Fabian Tobias to replace Christiane Ruff as MD of ITV Studios Germany

ITV Studios (ITVS) Germany has appointed Fabian Thomas from Banijay-owned EndemolShine Germany as its new MD to succeed Christiane Ruff, who will retire next year.

Fabian Tobias

Ruff will retire in spring 2027 after 13 years of leadership. Tobias has been MD of Germany with oversight of Switzerland at EndemolShine Germany since 2020 and became co-MD of Poland in 2023.

While at EndemolShine Germany, Tobias has launched entertainment formats in the German and Polish markets including The Masked Singer (ProSieben Germany, Switzerland), Beauty & the Geek (ProSieben Germany), The 50 (Prime Video Germany, Poland) and Lego Masters (RTL/VOX).

He has also overseen the creation of new IP such as Three are the Champions (RTL), Chefs to Go (VOX), Fridge Wars (Sat1) and Staying Alive (ProSieben); and reinvented classic IP including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Celebrity Big Brother and Dragons Den.

Before EndemolShine Germany, Tobias held senior management and exec producer roles at other Germany-based Banijay companies from 2014. In 2013, he was a senior producer at ITVS Germany, producing Ich bin ein Star – holt mich hier raus! (I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!) and Hell’s Kitchen.

Returning to ITVS Germany, Tobias will report to London-based Lisa Perrin, MD of international production. He will be responsible for driving the business forwards, including directing the creative strategy, overseeing production and the development of new IP for global roll-out, and the acquisition of third-party formats.

As well as I’m a Celebrity, other key ITVS Germany formats include Love Island VIP (RTLZWEI), Das perfekte Dinner (Come Dine With Me, VOX), The Voice of Germany and The Voice Kids (ProSieben / Sat.1), Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert (VOX), Werwölfe – Das Spiel von List und Täuschung (The Werewolves, ARD), Quizduell Olymp (Quiz Duel Champions, Das Erste) and Gefragt – Gejagt (The Chase, Das Erste).

Perrin said: “I am thrilled that Fabian has decided to join us at this pivotal moment for the industry. His dynamic leadership, brilliant client and talent relationships and deep experience of the German market will be invaluable as we evolve the business.

“While Christiane continues as managing director into 2027, I want to take this moment to thank her for what will be an incredible 13 years. Under her watch, our shows have thrived as some of the longest-running and most adored in Germany. I wish her all the best in her next chapter.”