German Drama Travels: ZDF Studios Secures 40+ International Deals Ahead of MIPCOM
More than 500 programming hours of German scripted content licensed across over 20 countries in 2026
MIPCOM Cannes, 13 October 2026
On the first day of MIPCOM, ZDF Studios is reporting strong international sales for German scripted content, with more than 40 agreements concluded across over 20 countries to date in 2026 and a volume of more than 500 hours of programming licensed. The results underline the continued international appeal of German TV brands- from long-running audience favourites and crime franchises to contemporary premium drama.
SOKO once again proved to be one of ZDF Studios' most successful international franchises, generating sales across numerous European territories with 12 broadcasters including YLE Finland, Walter Presents in the UK, Canal+ MOE, RTL Croatia and Talpa in the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, ZDF's popular feel-good drama brands continue to travel strongly. Mountain Medic and Alpine Rescue secured deals with broadcasters such as TV2 Denmark, Prima TV in the Czech Republic, TVS in Poland and Pop TV Slovenia, with new seasons and re-licenses underlining their enduring appeal. At the same time, established romance brands Rosamunde Pilcher and Inga Lindström remained in demand with broadcasters including Mediaset Italy, Nova TV Bulgaria, Kanal 2 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 stand-alone romantic dramas.
ZDF Studios has also been successful 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 Germany, as well as Sky 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 like 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 with Amazon in Germany and Austria, comprising 3,000 hours of programming, has also been expanded largely into Switzerland, with further territories in preparation.
Tim Gerhartz, Chief Commercial Officer, ZDF Studios: “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.”
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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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, 55127 Mainz/Germany, tel.: +49 6131-9911130, email: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com