The Best TV Shows on ZDF

Every ZDF Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Stay up-to-date with over 20 of ZDF’s elite series, with our list refreshed for August 2026. Notable series such as Die ZDF-Hitparade and Derrick from ZDF first graced the screens in 1969 and 1974. Boasting a rich catalog, ZDF features more than 20 shows, with broadcasting dates ranging from 1969 to 2013.

  • 37 Grad
    37 Grad (1994)9.0

    37° reports on typical life situations in our society from an unusual perspective: the camera accompanies a group or individual people, usually in a particularly exposed social situation. The reportage often outlines a turning point or a decision-making phase in the biography under review.

  • maybrit illner
    maybrit illner (1999)9.0

    Political talk show on current topics presented by Maybrit Illner.

  • Die Küchenschlacht
    Die Küchenschlacht (2008)8.0

  • Bares für Rares
    Bares für Rares (2013)7.6

    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").

  • SOKO Köln
    SOKO Köln (2003)7.1

    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.

  • Terra X History
    Terra X History (2000)6.8

    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.

  • Die Rosenheim-Cops
    Die Rosenheim-Cops (2002)6.4

    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 Wismar
    SOKO Wismar (2004)6.4

  • The Old Fox
    The Old Fox (1977)6.3

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Küstenwache
    Küstenwache (1997)5.8

    Küstenwache is a German television series that tells the fictionalized adventures of a unit of Federal Coast Guard officers off the German coast of the Baltic Sea.

  • 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

  • Vienna Crime Squad
    Vienna Crime Squad (2005)5.1

    SOKO Donau is an Austrian television series.

  • 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.