ZDF facts for kids
Logo used since 2001
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| Country | Germany |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Germany |
| Headquarters | Mainz, Germany |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | German |
| Picture format | |
| Ownership | |
| Key people | Norbert Himmler (director) |
| Sister channels |
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| History | |
| Launched | 1 April 1963 |
| Replaced | ARD 2 (1961–1963) |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Digital terrestrial television | Varies by location |
| Streaming media | |
| ZDF.de | Watch live (Germany only) |
| FilmOn | Watch live |
| ZiggoGO | ZiggoGO.TV |
| Canaldigitaal Live App | Watch Live |
ZDF is a major German TV channel. Its full name in German is Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, which means "Second German Television". It's a public TV channel based in Mainz, Germany.
ZDF started broadcasting on April 1, 1963. It's run as a special kind of organization that doesn't aim to make a profit. It was created by all the different states of Germany. ZDF gets its money from TV license fees and from advertising.
The channel is famous for its news show, heute, which started in 1963. Another very popular show is Wetten, dass..?, a big entertainment show that began in 1981. Norbert Himmler is the current director of ZDF.
Contents
History of ZDF Television
In 1959, the German government, led by Konrad Adenauer, started planning a second TV network for the whole country. They wanted it to compete with the existing channel, ARD. The government felt that ARD's news was too critical of them.
A new TV company was created in 1960. It was called the Free Television Society. At the same time, a new network of transmitters was built across Germany. These transmitters used UHF channels, which meant people needed new equipment to watch.
To test these new transmitters, the ARD channel was allowed to create a temporary second channel called ARD 2. This channel broadcast for a few hours each evening, starting in May 1961.
States Create ZDF
Some German states, especially those led by the Social Democratic Party, disagreed with the government's plan for the new TV channel. They took the issue to Germany's highest court. In 1961, the court decided that only the individual states had the right to set up TV channels, not the federal government.
Because of this decision, the German states decided to work together. In March 1961, they agreed to create a central public TV network. This new network would be independent of the government's earlier plans.
On June 6, 1961, the leaders of the states signed an agreement to create "Second German Television" (ZDF).
ZDF Begins Broadcasting
ZDF officially started broadcasting on April 1, 1963. Its first broadcast was from Eschborn, near Frankfurt. Karl Holzamer was the first director of the channel.
In 1967, ZDF began broadcasting its programs in color. A few years later, in 1974, ZDF moved its main offices to Mainz-Lerchenberg. Since October 5, 1996, ZDF has broadcast programs 24 hours a day.
How ZDF is Funded
ZDF gets its money from a license fee. This fee is about €18.36 per month. Most households in Germany have to pay this fee. People with disabilities or those receiving social aid might not have to pay.
ZDF shares this money with other public broadcasters like ARD and Deutschlandradio. The fees are collected by a special organization called the Beitragsservice. ZDF also earns money from sponsorships and by selling its programs and advertising time.
Other Channels from ZDF
ZDF runs two other digital TV channels:
- ZDFneo: This channel is mostly for viewers aged 18 to 45.
- ZDFinfo: This channel shows documentaries.
Both ZDFneo and ZDFinfo are available in standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD).
ZDF also works with other TV networks to run more channels:
- Arte
- 3sat
- KI.KA (a children's channel)
- Phoenix (a news and documentary channel)
A company called ZDF Studios GmbH helps sell ZDF's programs and works on international TV projects.
ZDF's Look and Mascots
ZDF has famous animated mascots called the Mainzelmännchen. These little cartoon characters were created by Wolf Gerlach when the channel launched in 1963. They quickly became popular and are still shown between commercials today. Their name is a fun mix of "Mainz" (where ZDF is based) and "Heinzelmännchen" (a type of helpful gnome in German folklore).
In 1976, a designer named Otl Aicher created ZDF's official look. Later, in 2000, Lee Hunt designed a new look for the channel.
How ZDF is Managed
Director General
ZDF is led by a person called the Director General (Intendant). This person is chosen by the ZDF Television Council. The council includes people from different groups in society.
Here are the Directors General since ZDF started:
- 1963–1977: Karl Holzamer
- 1977–1982: Karl-Günther von Hase
- 1982–2002: Dieter Stolte
- 2002–2012: Markus Schächter
- 2012–2022: Thomas Bellut
- 2022–present: Norbert Himmler
Supervising Board
The Supervising Board checks the work of the Director General. They pay close attention to how the budget is used. This board has 14 members. Five members are from the German states, one is from the federal government, and eight are independent members.
Television Board
The Television Board oversees ZDF and approves its budget. They also choose the Director General. This board has 60 members, including representatives from the German states, churches, and various community groups.
International Connections
ZDF became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in 1963. The EBU is an organization of public broadcasters from across Europe and beyond. ZDF also works with many other TV channels around the world.
ZDF supports the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) idea. This idea helps create smart TVs that can combine regular TV broadcasts with internet content.
Popular Programs on ZDF
Children's Shows
- 1, 2 oder 3 (since 1977)
- ALF (1988–1993)
- Alfred J. Kwak (1990–2003)
- Fraggle Rock (1983–1995)
- H2O: Just Add Water (2006–2010)
- Löwenzahn (since 1981)
- Pingu (1990–2004)
- Pippi Langstrumpf (since 1969)
- The Muppet Show (1977–1989)
- Mia and Me (since 2012)
Documentaries
- 37 Grad (since 1994)
- Terra X (since 1982)
- ZDFzeit (since 2012)
- ZDF-History (since 2000)
Entertainment Shows
- Bares für Rares (since 2013)
- Die Anstalt (since 2014)
- heute-show (since 2009)
- Wetten, dass..? (1981–2014, since 2021)
- ZDF Fernsehgarten (since 1986)
News and Information
- Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst (since 1967)
- heute (main newscast, since 1963)
- heute journal (evening newscast, since 1978)
- ZDF-Morgenmagazin (morning news, since 1992)
- WISO (business and consumer news, since 1984)
TV Series
- ALF (1988–1996)
- Der Alte (The Old Fox, since 1977)
- Derrick (1974–1998)
- Die Rosenheim-Cops (since 2002)
- Ein Fall für Zwei (1981–2013)
- Midsomer murders (since 2005)
- SOKO 5113 (since 1978)
- Star Trek (1972–1982)
- The Muppet Show (1977–1989)
- Wilsberg (since 1999)
Sports Programs
- das aktuelle sportstudio (since 1963)
- FIFA World Cup (since 1966)
- UEFA European Championship (since 1964)
- UEFA Champions League (Final Only)
Talk Shows
- Markus Lanz (since 2008)
- Maybrit Illner (political talk show, since 1999)
Audience Information
The average age of a ZDF viewer in 2016 was 62 years old.
See also
In Spanish: ZDF para niños
