The Best TV Shows on ARD-alpha

Every ARD-alpha Show Ranked From Best To Worst

ARD-alpha has delivered an expansive roster of over 20 shows, dating from 1957 all the way to 2023. Icons of ARD-alpha, The Adventures of Long John Silver and Planet Wissen made their debut in 1957 and 2002, setting industry standards. Dive into our updated selection of ARD-alpha’s finest, featuring more than 20 series as of January 2026.

  • Dirty Little Secrets
    Dirty Little Secrets (2023)8.0

  • Deadly Disasters
    Deadly Disasters (2019)6.8

    Deadly Disasters explores some of the most terrifying and destructive natural disasters to ever strike the planet, uncovering fascinating new details and packed with jaw-dropping footage.

  • The Adventures of Long John Silver
    The Adventures of Long John Silver (1957)6.7

    The Adventures of Long John Silver is a family adventure series about the Long John Silver character from Treasure Island. Produced in 1954 in colour in Australia for the American and British markets before the development of Australian television. Long John Silver is the proud captain of his own ship and his own crew. He and his buccaneer cruise around the Caribbean and often stay on the side of the English and fight the French and Spanish. After long and dangerous adventures, he and his crew rest in the tavern of Miss Purity. The series first aired in the United States on syndicated basis in 1956, but irregularly as part of another show. Several episodes were edited together and shown theatrically under the titles: 'Under the Black Flag' and 'South Sea Pirates'. Afterwards, it was sold to the ITV in the UK, and aired in 1957. In 1958, the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) screened the series as part of Children's TV Club.

  • Planet Wissen
    Planet Wissen (2002)N/A

  • Kant für Anfänger
    Kant für Anfänger (2004)N/A

  • Geist & Gehirn
    Geist & Gehirn (2004)N/A

  • Das Kreuz mit der Schrift
    Das Kreuz mit der Schrift (2005)N/A

  • Denkzeit
    Denkzeit (2007)N/A

  • Ich mach’s!
    Ich mach’s! (2008)N/A

  • Die Fernsehtruhe
    Die Fernsehtruhe (2009)N/A

  • Vom Reich zur Republik
    Vom Reich zur Republik (2009)N/A

  • GRIPS Mathe
    GRIPS Mathe (2011)N/A

  • Alois Alzheimer - Verloren im Vergessen
    Alois Alzheimer - Verloren im Vergessen (2014)N/A

  • Zeuge der Zeit
    Zeuge der Zeit (2017)N/A

  • alpha-retro
    alpha-retro (2018)N/A

  • alpha-demokratie
    alpha-demokratie (2018)N/A

  • SMS – Schwanke meets Science
    SMS – Schwanke meets Science (2018)N/A

  • Megatrends im Dialog
    Megatrends im Dialog (2018)N/A

  • Die Mauer ist weg
    Die Mauer ist weg (2019)N/A

  • Axel Wagner & Die Klimakrise
    Axel Wagner & Die Klimakrise (2022)N/A