The Best TV Shows on ZDF

Every ZDF Show Ranked From Best To Worst

With its programming history stretching from 1964 to 2013, ZDF offers an impressive lineup of over 20 shows. Premiering in 1964 and 1967, Die Drehscheibe and Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst are among ZDF’s most celebrated shows. As of September 2026, we’ve curated over 20 of ZDF’s premier shows for your viewing pleasure.

  • maybrit illner
    maybrit illner (1999)9.0

    Political talk show on current topics presented by Maybrit Illner.

  • Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst
    Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst (1967)8.0

    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.

  • Die Küchenschlacht
    Die Küchenschlacht (2008)8.0

  • The Johannes B. Kerner Show
    The Johannes B. Kerner Show (1998)7.5

  • Bares für Rares
    Bares für Rares (2013)7.5

    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").

  • Die Drehscheibe
    Die Drehscheibe (1964)7.3

  • Benjamin the Elephant
    Benjamin the Elephant (1989)6.6

    On the show, the eponymous main character resides at the Newtown Zoo, with friends Otto and Stella. The adventures Benjamin gets involved in often require slipping into various roles, learning new jobs, or discovering new and distant places.

  • SOKO Köln
    SOKO Köln (2003)6.4

    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.

  • The Old Fox
    The Old Fox (1977)6.3

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

  • Die Rosenheim-Cops
    Die Rosenheim-Cops (2002)6.3

    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.

  • Derrick
    Derrick (1974)6.0

    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.

  • SOKO München
    SOKO München (1978)5.9

    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.

  • SOKO Wismar
    SOKO Wismar (2004)5.9

  • A Case For Two
    A Case For Two (1981)5.7

    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)5.5

    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.

  • Morgenmagazin
    Morgenmagazin (1992)5.3

  • Leute heute
    Leute heute (1997)5.2

  • Inga Lindström
    Inga Lindström (2004)4.9

    Series written by Christiane Sadlo about writer and journalist under the pseudonym "Inga Lindström" and her family. Characterized by impressive landscapes, all of which are shot on location in Sweden. Series has no continuous storyline, and each episode is filled with new characters.

  • Volle Kanne
    Volle Kanne (1999)4.4

  • Die ZDF-Hitparade
    Die ZDF-Hitparade (1969)N/A

    The ZDF-Hitparade, or Hitparade for short was one of the most popular and most well-known music television series presenting mostly German Schlager.