ZDF Studios reports over 40 international sales at Mipcom

ZDF Studios reported strong international sales for German scripted content on October 13, 2026, during the first day of the MIPCOM market in Cannes, securing more than 40 agreements across over 20 countries. According to corporate announcements from zdf-studios.com and reporting by todotvnews.com, the distributor licensed a volume exceeding 500 hours of programming. Broadcastnow.co.uk also covered the sales figures, noting that the transactions encompass long-running audience favorites, crime franchises, and contemporary premium dramas.

International Broadcasters Acquire SOKO and Feel-Good Dramas

The long-running crime franchise SOKO generated sales across numerous European territories to 12 broadcasters, according to zdf-studios.com and broadcastnow.co.uk. Acquisitions for the brand were made by YLE in Finland, Walter Presents in the UK, Canal+ MOE, RTL in Croatia, and Talpa in the Netherlands.

Concurrently, broadcasters like TV2 in Denmark, Prima TV in the Czech Republic, TVS in Poland, and Pop TV in Slovenia picked up license renewals and new season packages for the heartwarming drama series Mountain Medic and Alpine Rescue. Established romance brands Rosamunde Pilcher and Inga Lindström also remained in demand, picked up by Mediaset in Italy, Nova TV in Bulgaria, Kanal 2 in Estonia, and TV3 Baltics. In Italy, RAI acquired a package of TV movies featuring titles from the A Summer In and Cruise into Cloud Nine brands alongside standalone romantic dramas.

Vampire Series Love Sucks Expands Global Reach to Younger Audiences

ZDF Studios reached younger international viewers through the award-winning vampire series Love Sucks. Distribution rights for the program were secured by platforms and networks including Amazon, Apple, Telekom, RTL Interactive, and Disney in Germany, alongside Sky Switzerland, TV Prima in the Czech Republic, RTBF in Belgium, and France Télévisions.

Classic library titles also maintained consistent demand. The Black Forest Clinic secured agreements in the German-speaking market with ORF, ORF III, SRF, Swiss One, and Sky Switzerland. Additionally, the existing EST/TVOD framework agreement with Amazon in Germany and Austria, covering 3,000 hours of programming, expanded largely into Switzerland, with further territories in preparation.

Tim Gerhartz Outlines Dual Strategy for Returning Hits and Fresh Series

ZDF Studios Chief Commercial Officer Tim Gerhartz commented on the ongoing momentum for German-language television across global markets.

The international demand for German scripted content remains very strong. Established brands such as Mountain Medic, Alpine Rescue, The Rosenheim Cops and the SOKO franchise continue to perform exceptionally well internationally, demonstrating their reliability and enduring appeal with broad audiences. At the same time, we are seeing growing interest in a new generation of German series with a younger audience appeal. At MIPCOM, we are building on both strengths – bringing proven, returning successes and fresh, younger-skewing series to audiences and buyers around the world.

Tim Gerhartz, ZDF Studios

High Valley and Shifters Debut at MIPCOM Cannes

ZDF Studios used the MIPCOM market to showcase new scripted highlights. The slate includes High Valley (Die falsche Tochter), produced by Studio Zentral and LOAD Studios, alongside Shifters (Die Düsteren) from Network Movie and Studio Zentral.

The agreements completed this year involve public and commercial broadcasters, pay-TV operators, streaming platforms, and digital partners, reinforcing the distributor’s market position.