ZDF Studios Takes on Worldwide Distribution of the Three-Part Historical Documentary Series “America’s Wars”
Mainz, 27 March 2026
ZDF Studios has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to the new three-part documentary series “America’s Wars” (3 x 52 mins), produced by eco documentaries for ZDFinfo and ZDF Studios. Delivery is scheduled for May 2026. The series expands ZDF Studios’ international portfolio of factual formats with a subject of current and enduring global relevance.
“America’s Wars” explores how military conflicts over the course of generations have shaped the United States’ self-image as a global power and supposed “world police force” – with successes, contradictions and repercussions that continue to the present day – and how moral ambition and foreign policy interests have competed with one another throughout.
The series traces the historical development from the late 18th century and the Spanish-American War, through America’s entry into the First World War, the fight against Nazi Germany, and up to the present day. Military successes strengthened the US economy and played a decisive role in establishing the country as a defining force in a new world order.
The three episodes also take viewers through the Cold War and its proxy conflicts, examining Korea, Vietnam, intelligence operations, the arms race, and the reshaping of the world after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Influence, power projection and nuclear deterrence defined the strategic orientation of these decades. At the same time, the long-term military presence in the Middle East helped position the United States as a kind of regional power in the oil-rich region.
“America’s Wars” shows the profound redefinition of American warfare in the 21st century. Its historical frame extends from 9/11 through Afghanistan and Iraq to drone warfare, covert and technologically driven forms of deployment, as well as current proxy dynamics – for example in the Ukraine conflict – and the geopolitical objectives of the Trump administration.
The series combines investigative contemporary history storytelling with precise contextualisation by renowned experts. Visually, it makes use of rare archive material, some of it newly colourised, alongside re-enactments, parallax treatments of historical photographs, and graphic visualisations of battlefields and tactics that create a sense of cinematic immediacy. The perspectives of ordinary soldiers and civilian victims of war provide an important human dimension.
Nikolas Hülbusch, Director Unscripted at ZDF Studios, says: “For around 250 years, the United States has been involved in wars and, to this day, remains at the centre of public debate between its claim to be a guardian of democratic values and its clearly defined foreign policy interests. “America’s Wars” examines these developments in a fact-based, multi-perspective and visually compelling way. The team at eco documentaries combines meticulous research, rare archive material and clear analysis – an approach that offers international audiences valuable orientation at a time when historical experience and contemporary debate increasingly intersect.”
---
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