ZDF Studios Distributes “Song Trip” Internationally: Successful Music Format with a Unique Concept Returns for a Second Season
Internationally relevant format, strong visual storytelling and authentic cultural exchange – new episodes featuring top music stars now available
Mainz, 9 June 2026
With Song Trip, ZDF Studios is distributing a format worldwide that uniquely combines music, travel and cultural exchange. Song Trip is produced for ZDF by CONTENT LADEN, an affiliated company of ZDF Studios.
At the heart of the format are well-known artists who travel to other countries and work closely with local musicians. The result is the creation of authentic new soundscapes shaped by intense cultural exchange. The participating artists deliberately step outside their comfort zones, immerse themselves deeply in unfamiliar musical traditions and allow themselves to be creatively transformed.
Each journey leads to distinctive musical outcomes: the encounters give rise to original reinterpretations of existing songs – far more than a classic travel documentary. The final performances are staged in spectacular natural settings, combining the atmosphere of a live concert with high-end music video aesthetics.
Song Trip also stands out for its exceptional emotional intimacy and authenticity. Personal stories, genuine reactions – including those shared during a watch party – and creative collaboration are central to the format. At the same time, Song Trip impresses with its innovative genre mix of travel documentary, music format and emotional storytelling.
Following the success of the first season on ZDF, the format has been continued. The second season has already been completed and will be broadcast on ZDF from July. Once again, Song Trip has attracted top-tier names from the music scene.
In the new episodes, Nico Santos travels to Vietnam, Rea Garvey to Sápmi (Norway and Finland), Yvonne Catterfeld to Cape Verde, and Peter Maffay to Nashville, Tennessee. On location, they explore local musical traditions, collaborate with local artists and develop new versions of their songs.
The format is complemented by a watch party in which the artists jointly reflect on their journeys, share insights and respond to each other’s experiences – personal, direct and unfiltered.
Ralf Rückauer, Vice President Unscripted at ZDF Studios, says: “Song Trip brings together music, culture, travel and storytelling in a powerful format. The combination of authentic encounters, creative collaboration and striking visual execution makes this an outstanding format with exceptional international appeal.”
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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