It was not a ready made conclusion, but a doubt that status has to do with it. I came to doubt this, since I seem to be able to book an exit row in advance (at least on LX), although in the end it is transformed to a normal seat, when checking in @ a machine. When going to the counter, there is no problem (which would match the explanation from the TXL GA). I also asked other GA, but they claim they do not know.
Two other reasons: I often travel with a colleague, he is *S now. He does not get exit rows either. BUT, before either of us had any status, we travelled together once from HAJ with an E ticket to FRA, from there to FRA, MUC, BRN on one day in fully booked planes and the GA in HAJ just asked (seeing two tall guys I suppose ??) us if we would like to sit on exit row. So she booked us exit rows on all the consequtive flights. Hence my doubts.