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The Best TV Shows on ZDF

Every ZDF Show Ranked From Best To Worst

ZDF’s extensive portfolio includes more than 20 shows, spanning the years from 1963 to 2013. For top-tier entertainment, ZDF delivered Der Sport-Spiegel and Die Drehscheibe in 1963 and 1964. Explore our list of the top rated shows up to date from April 2025 that includes over 20 unique series.

  • maybrit illner
    maybrit illner (1999)8.0

  • Die Küchenschlacht
    Die Küchenschlacht (2008)8.0

  • Bares für Rares
    Bares für Rares (2013)7.4

    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").

  • Terra X History
    Terra X History (2000)6.8

  • SOKO Köln
    SOKO Köln (2003)6.7

    The SOKO Köln investigates the cathedral city with humor and often with hard work. Their cases take them into a variety of environments, from the Cologne clique to the terraced housing estates on the outskirts of the city.

  • Die Rosenheim-Cops
    Die Rosenheim-Cops (2002)6.5

    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
    SOKO Leipzig (2001)6.2

    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.

  • SOKO Wismar
    SOKO Wismar (2004)6.1

  • Der Sport-Spiegel
    Der Sport-Spiegel (1963)6.0

  • Die Drehscheibe
    Die Drehscheibe (1964)6.0

  • Der Alte
    Der Alte (1977)6.0

    A police department, lead by an older, experienced detective solve crimes together.

  • Jede Menge Leben
    Jede Menge Leben (1995)6.0

    Jede Menge Leben is a German television series.

  • SOKO München
    SOKO München (1978)5.5

    SOKO 5113 is a long-running German police procedural television series. It was first aired in 1978 on 2 January. SOKO is an abbreviation of the term "Sonderkommission" in German.

  • A Case For Two
    A Case For Two (1981)5.2

    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.

  • Markus Lanz
    Markus Lanz (2008)4.9

    TV presenter Markus Lanz invites prominent guests and experts from all areas of public life to his colourful talk show. As a rule, there are four guests, introduced individually to contribute their personal experiences to the topics.

  • Volle Kanne
    Volle Kanne (1999)4.4

  • The Johannes B. Kerner Show
    The Johannes B. Kerner Show (1998)4.0

  • Alisa: Follow Your Heart
    Alisa: Follow Your Heart (2009)3.0

    Alisa Lenz and luck? Her boyfriend cheats on her, then leaves her with a mountain of debts... She ruins her job application by angering the company's CEO... She loses the cut-glass pendant that was the only keepsake from her biological parents - and that was her good-luck charm... Decidedly, luck does not seem to smile on Alisa. But if you think this is enough to keep her from pursuing her goal of happiness and fulfillment, you don't know Alisa!

  • Lafer! Lichter! Lecker!
    Lafer! Lichter! Lecker! (2006)2.0

  • ZDF-Fernsehgarten
    ZDF-Fernsehgarten (1986)1.5