For top-tier entertainment, ZDF delivered Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst and Derrick in 1967 and 1974. As of July 2025, we’ve curated over 20 of ZDF’s premier shows for your viewing pleasure. Boasting a rich catalog, ZDF features more than 20 shows, with broadcasting dates ranging from 1967 to 2015.
Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst is a German television programme broadcast since October 1967 on ZDF that aims to combat and solve crimes. Until 2003 it was produced in co-operation with the Austrian public service broadcaster ORF and Schweizer Fernsehen, a division of the Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR idée suisse. It was the basis for the BBC show Crimewatch, the Dutch show Opsporing Verzocht and its US equivalent America's Most Wanted. The goal of the programme is to throw light on unsolved offences with the aid of viewers. Each episode contains three to five short films, each lasting about ten minutes, in which a real criminal case is reconstructed. The cases are mostly complex ones in which the criminals and chains of events are still unknown. In addition cases are discussed in the studio in which, for example, the identities of criminals or unknown murder victims are sought with the aid of a photo. Viewers can use the telephone or Internet to give information. According to a study by the programme's editorial department, about forty percent of cases shown on the programme are solved.
Political talk show on current topics presented by Maybrit Illner.
Durch die Nacht mit … is a German documentary film television series produced by ZDF for Franco-German television channel ARTE. Locations are mainly in France or Germany. The title of the French version is Au cœur de la nuit. Two Celebrities spend an filmed evening together. One of them is the host who sets the location and the program. There is no moderator.
Richard the Lionheart has gone to war, leaving power in the hands of Prince John. Sherwood is in danger, but Robin Hood and his gang are on hand to save the day! Meet Maid Marian with her castle insider knowledge, charming Little John, grumpy Tuck and Robin's funny cousin Scarlett. Follow the gang who with comedy, magic and friendship will save the day.
In the show, selected applicants each present a curiosity, rarity or antique they have brought with them. Once they have received their expertise, they will have the opportunity on site to offer their exhibit to a changing five-person podium for sale and, ideally, to sell it to the highest bidder for „Bares“ ("cash").
The spectrum of topics ranges from political history with a focus on contemporary history (especially National Socialism and post-war history) to cultural history and social history. In addition, ZDF-History also regularly deals with pre-modern history, art and cultural history.
A team of inspectors investigates murders in and around the small Upper Bavarian town of Rosenheim, and they still have plenty of time to see idyllic landscapes and luxurious pre-alpine villas and enjoy sumptuous Bavarian fare with beer.
SOKO Leipzig is a German police procedural television programme, a spin-off of the earlier German police programme SOKO 5113. It was first broadcast on 31 January 2001, on German television channel ZDF. On 12 November 2008, the first part of a two-part crossover between SOKO Leipzig and British police procedural The Bill was aired, with the same version being shown on both ZDF and British television channel ITV1.
Derrick was a German TV series produced by Telenova Film und Fernsehproduktion in association with ZDF, ORF and SRG between 1974 and 1998 about Detective Chief Inspector Stephan Derrick and his loyal assistant Inspector Harry Klein, who solve murder cases in Munich and surroundings.
A police department, lead by an older, experienced detective solve crimes together.
Shows the interaction between Hamburg police officers and paramedics.
The unlikely police pair Verena Berthold and Otto Garber are part of a special task force investigating organized crime in Berlin. He comes from the east, she from the west of Berlin. He's a redneck, she's from a better background. This causes conflict. Over time, things start to sizzle between the two. Their team includes the agile German-Turkish Yücsel and the sluggish Georg, who, like Verena and Otto, are constantly bickering. The department manager is Lothar Reddemann. Sputnik is a former colleague of Otto's from the People's Police and is constantly coming up with new business ideas for stores and pubs where the team meets.
A long-running German-language entertainment television show based on the format of the British show You Bet! and the American show Wanna Bet?.
Ein Fall für zwei is a German television series, which premiered on September 11, 1981 on ZDF. The series, located in Frankfurt am Main, features two main characters who solve crimes: a defense attorney and a private investigator. Josef Matula, a former German police officer, has gone into private business. His method of investigation is very effective and direct, and he sometimes even resorts to dirty tricks. Claus Theo Gärtner has portrayed the role since the start of the series.
The series is about a cruise ship that travels to places around the world.