Zdeněk Pohlreich faces sliding ratings for the tenth season of the culinary reality show Ano, šéfe! on television network Prima, as audience numbers drop to a weekly average of 250 to 280 thousand viewers. The iconic Czech chef returned to screens on August 27, following a hiatus that began in 2018, aiming to inspect how local restaurants survived pandemic restrictions and soaring energy prices.
Audience Ratings Decline for Tenth Season of Ano, šéfe!
Television Prima launched the tenth series of Ano, šéfe! with modest viewing figures compared to the franchise’s historical peaks. While the ninth series premiere drew approximately 330,000 viewers before experiencing a steady decline, current episodes hover between 250 to 280 thousand viewers. Historic episodes from the show’s first era frequently surpassed 600 thousand viewers in the 15+ demographic. Executives anticipated stronger performance among younger demographics, yet linear broadcast numbers continue to soften as audiences migrate online.
Streaming Success on Prima+ Offsets Linear Broadcast Drops
Digital viewership on the streaming platform prima+ provides a counterweight to traditional television losses. Prima reported that the ninth season’s share of viewing in the 18–54 demographic reached 24.5 percent, marking a two percent increase over the final 2018 series. However, streaming metrics for the chef’s return still trail behind other platform hits like Zrádci. Online audiences skew younger, though total reach remains below historical highs.
Softer Approach and Polished Production Reduce Viral Moments
Production changes in the revived format remove the aggressive friction that defined earlier seasons. Episodes feature cleaner audio, hidden technical crews, and a significantly milder demeanor from Pohlreich when addressing kitchen staff. Restaurants visited in the tenth series—including U Zlatého Buřtu, Trilobit, Malý Janek, Hamrovku, and Plačkova restaurace a pizzerie—routinely earn single-star ratings rather than outright condemnation. Without flying ketchup bottles, visible mold, or explosive verbal altercations, the show lacks the viral moments necessary to capture broader public attention.
Rising Culinary Competition Erodes Pohlreich’s Monopoly
Pohlreich no longer holds an exclusive grip on Czech television gastronomy. During his extended absence from the screen, a new generation of chefs established themselves in the market, including Radek Kašpárek, Jan Punčochář, and Přemek Forejt. Past attempts to expand the format, such as the four-episode run of Superšéf: 24 hodin do pekla a zpět in 2020, met with lukewarm viewer response due to heavy-handed emotional framing.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Return of Ano, šéfe!
Why did Zdeněk Pohlreich take a break from television?
Pohlreich stepped away from television in 2018 and again in 2025 due to exhaustion from demanding production schedules and the operational management of his own restaurant businesses.
How many restaurants received top ratings in recent seasons?
In the ninth series, only the Letovický statek v Horosedlech earned two stars, while businesses like Ořechovka, U Jelena, and Retro Česká restaurace Asie received one star. In the tenth series, nearly all inspected locations earned single-star ratings.
Where can viewers watch new episodes of Ano, šéfe! online?
New episodes premiere with a multi-day advance window on Prima’s streaming service, prima+.
Worth a look