A sonorous, exciting evening with excitement and adrenaline – especially for the nominees – this is the award ceremony of the ARD Radio Play Days.

The versatile narrative and sound art of radio drama will be celebrated for two hours, and the winners will be chosen in six categories: »ARD PiNball«, prize for the best short radio drama from the independent scene, two prizes for the youngest: the »Children's Radio Drama Prize of the City of Karlsruhe« and the »German Children's Radio Drama Prize« as well as the »German Radio Drama Prize – Best Acting Achievement«, which is awarded for the third time. In addition, of course, (presented by RB director Jan Metzger) the »Deutsche Hörspielpreis der ARD« and its counterpart, the Audience Award "ARD Online Award", will be awarded.

Ute Soldierer will again moderate the evening. With her on air and on stage, winners, actors, directors and authors will be in conversation with each other on the subject of Radio Plays. But not only Radio Plays will be talked about: The actors Katja Bürkle and Michael Rotschopf present a short scene live on stage from the 12-hour documentary radio play Saal 101 about the NSU trial, which is still in the making. BR is realising this major radio play project, which is expected to be broadcast in 2019, with all public ARD stations as co-producers.

The musical highlights of the award ceremony will be set by saxophonist Nicole Johänntgen and her band. Funky, groovy and firmly rooted in the blues and soul jazz tradition in all wild improvisation flights, they have been delighting their audience for 20 years under the name Nicole Jo. Her brother Stefan Johänntgen (keyboards), Philipp Rehm (bass) and Elmar Federkeil (drums and percussion) play with Nicole Johänntgen.