The distributor has concluded more than 40 agreements this year, driven by established franchises such as SOKO, Mountain Medic and Alpine Rescue, alongside contemporary dramas including Love Sucks.

On the first day of Mipcom, ZDF Studios reported strong international sales for German scripted content, with more than 40 agreements concluded across over 20 countries so far in 2026 and more than 500 hours of programming licensed. The results underline the continued international appeal of German TV brands, from long-running audience favorites and crime franchises to contemporary premium dramas.

SOKO once again proved to be one of ZDF Studios’ most successful international franchises, generating sales across numerous European territories to 12 broadcasters, including YLE in Finland, Walter Presents in the UK, Canal+ MOE, RTL in Croatia and Talpa in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, ZDF’s popular feel-good drama brands continue to perform strongly internationally. Mountain Medic and Alpine Rescue secured deals with broadcasters such as TV2 in Denmark, Prima TV in the Czech Republic, TVS in Poland and Pop TV in Slovenia, with new seasons and license renewals underlining their enduring appeal.

At the same time, established romance brands Rosamunde Pilcher and Inga Lindström remained in demand among broadcasters including Mediaset in Italy, Nova TV in Bulgaria, Kanal 2 in Estonia and TV3 Baltics.

In Italy, RAI acquired a package of TV movies including titles from the popular A Summer In and Cruise into Cloud Nine brands, alongside a selection of standalone romantic dramas.

ZDF Studios has also succeeded in reaching younger audiences internationally. One example is the award-winning vampire series Love Sucks, which has been licensed to a range of platforms and broadcasters, including Amazon, Apple, Telekom, RTL Interactive and Disney in Germany, as well as Sky in Switzerland, TV Prima in the Czech Republic, RTBF in Belgium and France Télévisions.

The latest sales also demonstrate the continuing value of ZDF Studios’ extensive library. Classics such as The Black Forest Clinic continue to attract demand. In the German-speaking market, further agreements were concluded with ORF, ORF III, SRF, Swiss One and Sky Switzerland.

At the same time, ZDF Studios’ existing EST/TVOD framework agreement with Amazon in Germany and Austria, comprising 3,000 hours of programming, has been expanded to largely include Switzerland, with further territories in preparation.

“The international demand for German scripted content remains very strong. Established brands such as Mountain Medic, Alpine Rescue, The Rosenheim Cops and the SOKO franchise continue to perform exceptionally well internationally, demonstrating their reliability and enduring appeal with broad audiences. At the same time, we are seeing growing interest in a new generation of German series with a younger audience appeal. At Mipcom, we are building on both strengths – bringing proven, returning successes and fresh, younger-skewing series to audiences and buyers around the world,” said Tim Gerhartz, Chief Commercial Officer at ZDF Studios.

At Mipcom, ZDF Studios is showcasing new scripted highlights including High Valley (Die falsche Tochter), produced by Studio Zentral and LOAD Studios, and Shifters (Die Düsteren), from Network Movie and Studio Zentral.

Together, the new titles and the company’s latest international sales demonstrate both the enduring strength of established German drama brands and the creativity and ambition of today’s German production landscape.

The agreements span public and commercial broadcasters, pay TV operators, streaming platforms and digital partners, reinforcing ZDF Studios’ position as a leading international distributor of German-language programming and highlighting the continued relevance of German stories for audiences across cultures, generations and viewing habits.

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The German distributor will arrive in Cannes with a slate that brings together original productions, European co-productions and formats targeting international markets, while reinforcing its role as a development, financing and co-production partner.

ZDF Studios will present a selection of drama, factual, entertainment and junior titles at MIPCOM 2026, combining new European productions with established international franchises.

The German distributor will arrive in Cannes with a slate that brings together original productions, European co-productions and formats targeting international markets, while reinforcing its role as a development, financing and co-production partner.

Among its drama highlights is Grand Hotel by the Sea (8 x 50’), the first romantic period drama produced in the Netherlands. Produced by Big Blue for KRO-NCRV and VRT, the series is set on the Dutch coast between 1912 and 1919 and follows Sandra, an ambitious hotel owner determined to turn her property into a luxury destination for Europe’s elite.

The drama offering also includes High Valley (6 x 45’), from Studio Zentral and LOAD Studios, about a gifted young show jumper whose rise through the international equestrian circuit uncovers long-buried family secrets; Benidorm is Murder (6 x 60’), from BlackBox Multimedia and Clapperboard Studios for Channel 5, starring John Hannah and Carolina Bécquer; and Shifters (6 x 45’), a mystery thriller from Network Movie and Studio Zentral about sinister doppelgängers entering our world through a mysterious rift between dimensions.

Rounding out the fiction slate are LEX (8 x 50’), a contemporary legal drama from De Mensen and DPG Media, and Bust Up (6 x 60’), produced by Lippy Pictures and MadeForFilm for Sky NZ and ZDF. The latter follows two former lovers who are reunited as police partners ten years after their breakup in rural New Zealand.

In factual, ZDF Studios will highlight America’s Wars (3 x 50’), a historical documentary series produced by eco documentaries for ZDFinfo and ZDF Studios. The series spans 250 years of US history and explores the context behind events that have shaped today’s global political landscape.

The factual offering also includes Tasmania’s Wild Treasures (2 x 50’), produced by Doclights in association with NDR and Arte, which explores Tasmania’s endemic wildlife and landscapes while highlighting conservation efforts; and The Body: What Is Life? (3 x 50’), the latest instalment of NHK’s international The Body franchise, produced in association with ZDF, Arte and ZDF Studios.

In entertainment, the company will present Neo Match Up (4 x 30’), a studio game show and format from 1Take Films that challenges stereotypes and first impressions through humor, surprise and socially relevant themes.

The format has also been selected as one of seven concepts for the inaugural EBU Public Service Formats Showcase, taking place at Mipcom on October 13.

On the junior side, ZDF Studios will bring Alea Aquarius (26 x 26’), a premium live-action series based on Tanya Stewner’s bestselling book franchise. Produced by Red Balloon Film, the series combines fantasy, romance and environmental themes and follows Alea, an orphaned teenager who discovers she is part of an ancient underwater civilization.

The company will also spotlight H2O – Just Add Water (78 x 26’ + 3 x 90’), which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026. The franchise has been sold in more than 160 territories and includes the original live-action series and the animated spin-off H2O – Mermaid Adventures (26 x 26’).

Other junior highlights include 20 Dance Street (26 x 26’), produced by Cottonwood Media, ZDF and France Télévisions in partnership with the Opéra national de Paris and featuring motion-capture dance performances; and The Lady Grace Mysteries (23 x 24’), a live-action mystery adventure from Cottonwood Media and Coolabi Group, co-produced with ZDF, ZDF Studios and BBC.

Set at the court of Elizabeth I, The Lady Grace Mysteries follows Lady Grace Cavendish, a young investigator who uncovers conspiracies and solves mysteries at the Tudor court. Following strong international interest in the first season, a second season is already in production and is scheduled for delivery in 2027.

Tim Gerhartz, Chief Commercial Officer of ZDF Studios, said the company’s Mipcom offering combines German content with European co-productions across drama, factual, entertainment and family programming.

Beyond distribution, ZDF Studios also works with producers, broadcasters and platforms as a development, financing and co-production partner.

ZDF Studios will be located at stand R7.D5 at the Palais des Festivals during Mipcom 2026.

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Biene Maja & Friends to debut in Germany and Austria, and Dibidoo & Friends in the United Kingdom.

Popular brands and programmes for families and preschool children from the ZDF Studios catalogue will soon be available on two new add-on channels on Prime Video. Biene Maja & Friends will launch in Germany and Austria, while at the same time Dibidoo & Friends -Dibidoo being the English name of KiKAninchen- will go live in the United Kingdom.

With these two new offerings, selected preschool content from ZDF Studios is being brought together within clearly profiled environments, making it easy for families to find. The focus lies on well-known hero brands, carefully curated content, and a high-quality line-up for children aged two to six.

The line-up also includes titles from the Studio 100 International catalogue. This international content partnership has been in place since April 2022 and was expanded to the German-speaking market in autumn 2025.

“By launching Biene Maja & Friends and Dibidoo & Friends, Prime Video is introducing two highly attractive preschool add-on channels that bring together strong brands and popular programmes from our portfolio,” says Tim Gerhartz, Chief Commercial Officer at ZDF Studios. “The selection combines programme highlights, successful brands and beloved classics to create a compelling offer for families. We are delighted that, following ZDF tivi select in German-speaking territories and Pash in the UK, Prime Video is now introducing two further dedicated preschool services featuring ZDF Studios content.”

Biene Maja in particular stands, more than almost any other brand in German-speaking regions, for cross-generational children’s entertainment and trust within the family segment. The brand is closely associated with ZDF and enjoys high recognition among both children and parents. In 2026, “Maya the Bee” will celebrate its 50th anniversary: the original animated series first aired on ZDF on 9 September 1976.

Dibidoo & Friends also offers a clear preschool profile. The music-driven universe around Dibidoo inspires children with songs, stories and playful learning moments that spark curiosity, empathy and early discovery. Already successful across digital and linear platforms, Dibidoo is now also part of a new add-on channel on Prime Video for preschool audiences in the UK.

Both new services stand for age-appropriate content, educational value, careful curation, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. The exact selection of titles varies by channel; alongside the title characters, the portfolio features many other well-known brands and series, including Grisu, Henrietta, Pettson & Findus, Maari -Adventures on the Reef, School of Roars, Coconut – the Little Dragon, Ziggy and the Zootram, Ludovic, Dragon, Tilda Appleseed, Laura’s Star, Heidi, Törtel, Sherlock Yack- Zoo Detective, and Vic the Viking.

In total, both channels will offer more than 200 hours of premium preschool programming at launch, supplemented by short-form and promotional content designed to deepen engagement, improve discoverability and increase reach.

Through this collaboration, ZDF Studios reinforces its position as a strong partner for high-quality children’s content and as an attractive contact for further content partnerships in national and international distribution.

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The partnership aims to expand the global reach of the documentary channel Get.factual through Latin American Spanish dubbing, combining YouTube channel management with scalable, AI-driven localization technology.

ZDF Digital is partnering with Stockholm- and Istanbul-based localization company Dubhub to create audio dubs for the YouTube channel Get.factual. The first phase of the collaboration will focus on launching English-language content in Latin American Spanish.

ZDF Digital is the technology and production subsidiary of ZDF, providing digital media services, streaming infrastructure, post-production, and technical solutions for broadcast and online content distribution.

“Partnering with DubHub allows us to bring Get.factual’s world-class documentary content to entirely new audiences. By combining our YouTube channel management expertise with scalable, cost-efficient localization, we can grow Get.factual into a truly global channel. This collaboration reflects our broader ambition to maximise the international reach of ZDF Studios’ programming through smart, technology-driven distribution,” says Ben Correale, Head of Channels at ZDF Digital.

“We are excited to work with ZDF Digital and support their innovative approach to bringing original content into new markets through direct-to-consumer platforms such as YouTube. The potential for ZDF’s productions beyond the German language is significant, and global audiences can now be reached through cost-efficient localization combined with professional YouTube management,” says Fredrik af Malmborg, CEO of Dubhub.

get.factual is a documentary streaming channel covering history, science, technology, and nature. Its expanding catalogue of award-winning programming aims to inform, inspire, and fuel curiosity — from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of the cosmos.

Dubhub is a localization studio combining advanced technology with human expertise to help television content reach new audiences and unlock additional revenue streams for producers and platforms. Dubhub’s proprietary emotion transfer technology Evocion brings AI-assisted dubbing to a new quality level. In recent years, the quality of AI-assisted audio dubbing has improved significantly, opening new opportunities for scalable localization at lower cost.

La entrada ZDF Digital Partners with Dubhub for Localization of YouTube Channels se publicó primero en TTV News.

Confirmed broadcasters include Czech TV, Slovak TV and NDR/Arte, with the series shot in Czech.

ZDF Studios announced its role as the international distributor of the powerful new historical drama mini-series Agnes, a 2-episode period piece set in 13th-century Central Europe.

The series is produced by Karla Stojáková and Pavel Berčík (Film Kolektiv / Axman Production), co-developed and co-written by German director Dagmar Knöpfel and directed by Czech director Lenka Wimmerová, with a script by acclaimed Czech writer Tereza Brdečková.

Agnes tells the compelling story of Princess Agnes of Bohemia, a royal born into a world of political alliances and dynastic expectations. Defying her fate, Agnes renounces marriage and power to find a convent and dedicate her life to helping the poor and sick. Her journey is one of spiritual awakening, political defiance, and personal transformation, making her a timeless symbol of freedom, compassion, and women’s empowerment.

The mini-series explores themes of gender equality, social justice, and moral courage, drawing parallels between medieval and modern struggles. Agnes of Bohemia, canonized just before the Velvet Revolution in 1989, remains a revered figure in both religious and feminist circles.

Confirmed broadcasters include Czech TV, Slovak TV and NDR/Arte, with the series shot in Czech. The production features a distinguished cast, with Eliška Křenková as Agnes, Jaroslav Plesl as inquisitor Marburg or Marián Mitaš as Emperor Friedrich.

Mirela Nastase, Director Drama at ZDF Studios, commented: “Agnes is a deeply moving and visually stunning series that brings to life the story of a woman far ahead of her time. Her courage, empathy, and unwavering commitment to justice resonate powerfully today. We are thrilled to bring this exceptional project to international audiences.”

Karla Stojáková said: “With Agnes, we wanted to tell a story that has long been missing from our screens—a story of courage, compassion, and conviction from a female perspective. While many historical dramas focus on male heroes, Agnes is different. The story of a unique female heroine protagonist based on the real historical character, It offers a poetic yet unflinching look at the Middle Ages through the eyes of a woman who dared to defy the roles imposed on her. Agnes of Bohemia’s journey—from royal pawn to visionary leader—is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to live a meaningful, socially engaged life. Her story is not only historically significant, but urgently relevant today.”

La entrada ZDF Studios to Handle International Distribution of Historical Drama Mini-Series Agnes se publicó primero en TTV News.

Robert Franke to Focus on Producing; Tim Gerhartz Assumes Interim Leadership.

Starting in 2026, Robert Franke, VP Drama at ZDF Studios, will concentrate on producing as Co-Managing Director of Intaglio Films GmbH. Based in Berlin, Intaglio Films is a joint venture between ZDF Studios and Beta Film, dedicated to developing high-quality series for both national and international markets. In addition to his role at ZDF Studios, Franke has served as Managing Director of Intaglio Films alongside Jan Wünschmann since 2018.

The Drama division at ZDF Studios will be led on an interim basis by Tim Gerhartz, who will assume this responsibility alongside his current role as Chief Commercial Officer overseeing global distribution. The Drama division is responsible for marketing ZDF’s fictional programming output, international co-productions, and original content development.

Dr. Markus Schäfer, President and CEO of ZDF Studios, commented: “For ten years, Robert Franke has successfully overseen the development, financing, and distribution of fictional programming at ZDF Studios. Under his leadership, our fiction business has grown significantly. Through targeted investments in new content and the expansion into new business areas and clients, Robert and his team have continuously increased our business volume. We respect his wish to refocus on his producing talents. We are delighted that he will bring his deep expertise and experience in developing and financing international fiction projects to Intaglio Films. Robert leaves behind a well-positioned division that Tim Gerhartz, together with the team, will continue to strengthen in this key genre.”

Robert Franke added: “After more than ten rewarding years with the company, it is time for me to redefine my priorities. Expanding my role at Intaglio Films brings together the core aspects of my previous work while giving me the freedom to focus on topics that will shape my work in the coming years. At the same time, it opens up opportunities to set new impulses beyond traditional production business. I would like to thank my team and ZDF Studios for their trust and collaboration over the past years.”

La entrada Tim Gerhartz to Lead ZDF Studios’ Drama Sales se publicó primero en TTV News.

The series was filmed in various locations across the Canary Islands, with Gran Canaria serving as the main scenario.

Italian broadcaster Rai has acquired the new procedural drama series Weiss & Morales (4 x 90’), co-produced by RTVE, ZDF, Portocabo, Nadcon and ZDF Studios, for their Free-TV channel Rai 2.

Weiss & Morales is a series rooted in the most classic elements of the genre and reformulated to meet the current standards of premium television drama. The series revolves around the story of two investigators, Spanish Civil Guard sergeant Raúl Morales (Miguel Ángel Silvestre, particularly known for Sense8, Narcos) and German BKA agent Nina Weiss (Katia Fellin). When a crime is committed in the Canary Islands affecting the German community, the two find themselves compelled to work together. A collaboration neither enjoys, however, they’ll ultimately find a way to crack the case in each episode despite their very different characters and methods of investigation.

The series was filmed in various locations across the Canary Islands, with Gran Canaria serving as the main scenario. Just recently, Weiss & Morales was part of the International Drama Competition of ‘The Italian Global Series Festival 2025’. ZDF Studios handles the worldwide sales outside of Spanish-speaking territories.

Yuliya Fischer, Director Drama at ZDF Studios: “The show sets a new gold standard for European co-productions, and we are delighted that Rai’s viewers will soon be able to enjoy it. Rather than being a financial patchwork, the partnership between Spain’s RTVE and Germany’s ZDF on this series feels organic and integral to the story’s DNA.

Adriano De Maio, Director of Cinema and TV Series at Rai, said: ”With its fresh tone, rich characters and stunning setting, ‘Weiss & Morales’ looks set to become a sunlit standout in the world of European crime dramas and we are delighted to be able to show it to our audience. One of the most striking features of ‘Weiss & Morales’ is its setting. The Canary Islands aren’t just a backdrop; they’re the third protagonist.”

La entrada ZDF Studios Sells The Series Weiss & Morales to Italian Broadcaster Rai se publicó primero en TTV News.

Crimen ZDF, launched with Castalia Communications, features the finest procedural crime, thriller, and mystery series from Europe and is available on Samsung TV Plus Mexico.

ZDF Studios and international media development company Castalia Communications Corporation announced the launch of Crimen ZDF, a FAST channel for Spanish-speaking audiences in the United States and Latin America.

Crimen ZDF features the finest procedural crime, thriller, and mystery series from Europe and is available on Samsung TV Plus Mexico as of April 30, 2025.

The partnership between ZDF Studios and Castalia Communications to develop this FAST service was first announced in October 2023. The venture makes quality programming from the ZDF Studios catalogue available to Spanish-speaking end-users in the Hispanic market in the U.S. and Latin America.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our most successful European procedural dramas on a FAST channel to audiences across the Americas, and for the first time, dubbed into Latin American Spanish.,” said Susanne Frank, Director Drama, ZDF Studios, adding that the new channel “is a product of a partnership with Castalia Communications,” a U.S.-based company with a long history of content distribution in the region.

“We have selected captivating and iconic series full of intrigue, of course all filmed in a European settings and authentic atmosphere, different than the usual offerings in the U.S. and Latin America,” said Luis Torres-Bohl, president of Castalia Communications. “The channel will attract viewers who are already familiar with European content and are hungrier than ever to enjoy this programming now in their own language, as well as new viewers who are seeking similar premium content,” he added.

The quality of the content that viewers expect includes high quality in-language dubbing. This is why Caaliope, one of the leaders in Spanish language dubbing and subtitling, was chosen to dub all of the channel’s content. “In-language dialogue is a key component of the viewer experience and having it in Latin American Spanish enhances the quality of the content,” said Carlos Sánchez, CEO of Caaliope.

The channel will have a total of 300 hours of content available, with an initial package of 190 hours, including the acclaimed series The Crimson Rivers, about complex murder case solved by a detective and his best student, based on the best-selling French novel written by Jean-Christophe Grangé; The Bridge, an original award-winning Danish-Swedish crime series with several international adaptations; SOKO, a popular and current show in Germany that follows the investigations of Special Crime Units (SOKO) across the country; and The Old Fox, a long-running German series that is still very popular today about a chief inspector who leads his team through the dark underbelly of crime to unravel murder mysteries.

La entrada ZDF Studios launch FAST channel for Spanish-speaking audiences in the US and Latin America se publicó primero en TTV News.