The Best TV Shows on ZDF

Every ZDF Show Ranked From Best To Worst

As of August 2026, our compilation of ZDF’s top-rated series boasts over 20 unique shows. Some of the best tv shows from ZDF include Die Drehscheibe and Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst, airing in 1964 and 1967 respectively. ZDF has over 20 shows broadcast from as early as 1964 and as recent as 2013.

  • 1, 2 oder 3
    1, 2 oder 3 (1977)9.0

    The quiz show for the whole family with Elton and Piet Flosse: Three teams from Austria, Germany, and a changing third country compete against each other. Each team consists of a mixed group of three kids – smart minds and quick legs are required. 1, 2, or 3? If you know the answer, you’re in!

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Löwenzahn
    Löwenzahn (1981)7.9

    Each 30 minute episode is dedicated to a separate issue or theme and consists mainly of related short featurettes, which explain, explore and educate how things of everyday life and even complex systems work. It spans a wide variety of topics from technology and industry to something as mundane as how the postal service works.

  • 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").

  • Die Drehscheibe
    Die Drehscheibe (1964)7.3

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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)6.1

    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.

  • Topfgeldjäger
    Topfgeldjäger (2010)6.0

  • 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.

  • 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