Willi Weitzel – Reporter, World Explorer, Storyteller with Heart

A beloved figure explains the world to generations – with curiosity, integrity, and humor

Willi Weitzel was born on December 13, 1972, in Marburg an der Lahn and has shaped knowledge dissemination in Germany like few other TV reporters of his generation. He became known through the children's show “Willi wills wissen,” which he has given a distinctive touch since 2002: curious, fearless, respectful. While his music career in the narrower sense is not the core of his work, his artistic development includes multimedia projects, live storytelling programs, radio plays, and musical fairy-tale productions. As a television host, reporter, film producer, and live performer, he combines journalistic expertise with a captivating stage presence – reaching children, families, and adults alike.

Weitzel's artistic journey has a consistent theme: the joy of explaining, of composing stories, of arranging knowledge into memorable moments. This mindset has led to an extraordinary discography in the fields of spoken word and musical fairy tales, an extensive filmography, and live formats where music, reportage, and storytelling come together. His cultural influence extends from classrooms to large stages – and into the digital realm.

Biography: From curious student to influential knowledge disseminator

Growing up in Hesse and socially integrated in journalism at Bayerischer Rundfunk, Weitzel early on embraced a music culture of listening: he listened, asked questions, and arranged answers in a way that resonates. After studying theology and obtaining a teaching degree, the crucial career step came in 2001: he was discovered as a reporter for the newly conceived children's TV format “Willi wills wissen.” The show's launch in 2002 marked his breakthrough and established a long-lasting music career in a metaphorical sense: the precise interplay of voice, timing, dramaturgy, and production that defines his contributions.

Weitzel currently lives and works by Lake Ammersee. In 2011, he founded his own production company and has since expanded his repertoire to include feature films, reports, books, podcasts, and audio productions. Throughout, his artistic development has remained faithful to its core: knowledge dissemination as composition – with themes that resonate socially.

Career and Breakthrough: “Willi wills wissen” and the School of Questions

“Willi wills wissen” became a phenomenon starting in 2002, with 172 episodes produced over the years. The genre: child-friendly reportage, told as an approachable composition of information, spontaneous encounters, and an authentic voice. The series shaped Weitzel's musicality in language: short motifs, recurring themes, intuitive dramaturgy. At the same time, other formats emerged, including “Willis VIPs,” “Willis Quiz Quark Club,” “Gute Frage, nächste Frage,” “Willi wills wissen von A–Z,” and “A Good Reason to Celebrate.” This established Weitzel as a versatile host who effortlessly transitions between knowledge magazines, talk shows, game show elements, and cultural-historical narratives.

From January 2018 to April 2022, he hosted the magazine “Gut zu wissen” on BR television. The format translated scientific topics into relatable stories that were both journalistic and widely understandable – a hallmark of his expertise. This further expanded Weitzel's audience spectrum towards families and knowledge-oriented viewers of all ages.

Filmography and Box Office Successes: Adventures on the Big Screen

In 2009, the first feature film “Willi und die Wunder dieser Welt” hit cinemas – a world tour with documentary precision and narrative momentum. The film was the most-watched German documentary of its year. In 2022, “Willi und die Wunderkröte” followed, a captivating blend of elements from narrative film, nature documentary, and educational film, focusing on the delicate soundscape of amphibian habitats. Critics praised the audience-appropriate narrative stance, the mix of entertainment and environmental education, and the empathetic moderation.

With these productions, Weitzel demonstrated how cinematic composition works: announcing motifs, varying themes, constructing narrative arcs – and ultimately leaving behind an emotionally lasting subject. His role as producer also sharpened his understanding of production, post-production, and the timing of film releases.

Live Programs and Stage Presence: “Willis wilde Wege” and the New Show in 2026

Since 2013, Weitzel has been touring Germany with “Willis wilde Wege” – a multi-vision show that combines travel reports, humor, documentary photography, and storytelling art. The musicality lies in the live tempo: pauses, punchlines, proximity to the audience. In 2026, Weitzel will launch the new live show “Und wovon träumst du?” The concept revolves around courage, dreams, and growing up – featuring stories of raft journeys, long hikes, and encounters around the world. Stylistically, he condenses his experiences from TV, cinema, and stage into a performative storytelling concert that appeals to family audiences as well as young adults.

His stage is intentionally minimal: voice, images, clear dramaturgy. This intentionally creates closeness – and highlights an artistic development that increasingly relies on resonant spaces: between generations, disciplines, regions.

Musical Projects, Radio Plays, and Discography

Weitzel's discography includes spoken word releases and musical fairy tales. In 2010, “Peter und der Wolf” with the Wiener Ambassade Orchester was released as a CD/DVD – an arrangement of classical music education with a modern narrative approach. This was followed by programs on “Karneval der Tiere,” “Der Nussknacker,” and “Hänsel und Gretel,” including concerts with major orchestras all the way to the Elbphilharmonie. At the same time, numerous “Willi wills wissen” radio play episodes and compilation boxes have been released, available on common platforms. These audio works form a standalone discography situated between feature, radio play, and educational sound design.

Musically, Weitzel uses language as an instrument: precise phrasing, clear articulation design, and pointed emphases. In production, he focuses on transparent arrangements of original sounds, atmospheres, and explanatory voice-overs – a sound design that sparks curiosity and possesses recognizability.

Awards, Reception, and Authority

His work has been widely recognized: The Grimme Prize (2010) for an episode of “Willi wills wissen” underscores the quality of the production and the craftsmanship of the format. As early as 2003, “Willi wills wissen” received the Bayerischer Fernsehpreis, along with the Robert-Geisendörfer-Preis and several other journalism awards. In 2022, the German Academy for Children's and Youth Literature awarded Weitzel the “Großer Preis” for his entire body of work – affirming his authority in the field of children's media and his role as a bridge-builder between knowledge culture and entertainment.

His educational works have also been honored: in 2024, the series “Willi macht Schule” received a Comenius seal. In media reception, Weitzel is described as a pioneer of respectful, curiosity-driven knowledge dissemination, transforming topics such as environment, science, and social responsibility into accessible stories.

Style and Signature: Knowledge Dissemination as Composition

Weitzel's style relies on clear dramaturgy, situational improvisation, and a warm, dialogical tone. The composition of his contributions follows a recognizable pattern: a thematic introduction, concrete experiences, condensation through experiments, and a comprehensible conclusion. This arrangement allows children and adults to grasp complex matters in manageable phrases. Characteristic of his language is its vividness, imagery, and humor – always on equal footing with the protagonists.

His artistic development has shifted from pure moderation to a hybrid role profile of author, producer, curator, and live storyteller. This has led to transfer achievements in other media forms: radio plays, stage programs, educational films. In total, this results in a discography and filmography that stands as a cohesive body of work.

Cultural Influence and Impact

“Willi wills wissen” was rediscovered in social media starting in 2020 – a sign of the longevity of his material and its adaptability for new generations. At the same time, his feature films, live shows, and educational films demonstrate how knowledge content can have a long-term impact: not just as teaching material, but as narrative substance that conveys values – respect, curiosity, responsibility.

Weitzel's influence extends beyond Germany because his themes are universal: nature, technology, coexistence. His cultural contribution lies in arranging complexity so it can be experienced. He sets standards for knowledge formats that balance entertainment and insight.

Current Projects and Outlook

The recent years have been marked by new films for humanitarian and educational projects, as well as the preparation for the large live tour “Und wovon träumst du?” starting in January 2026. Meanwhile, the film production “Willi und die Wunderkröte” and BR formats remain relevant reference points, while audio content – from radio plays to musical fairy tales – is finding a growing audience. With his team, Weitzel is developing interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of science communication, cultural education, and entertainment.

Through his consistent focus on quality, clear production signature, and proximity to the audience, Weitzel remains a fixture of the German-speaking knowledge culture – on stage, in recordings, in cinemas, and in media libraries.

Voices of the Fans

The reactions from fans clearly show: Willi Weitzel captivates people worldwide. One YouTube comment sums it up: “Someone who explains without being condescending – a great role model.” Another writes: “With Willi, learning feels like an adventure.” And time and again, you read: “Thank you for respect, humor, and clear words.”

Conclusion

Willi Weitzel combines journalistic expertise, artistic presence, and a distinctive voice into a Gesamtkunstwerk of knowledge dissemination. His discography in the field of radio plays and musical fairy tales, his filmography, and his live shows form a coherent repertoire – professionally produced, dramaturgically precise, culturally relevant. Anyone wanting to experience how knowledge sounds and stories impact should see him live: It is more than an evening program – it is an experience that resonates.

Official Channels of Willi Weitzel:

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YouTube: https://youtube.com/williwillswissen
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Willi Weitzel