Co-operation partners

Co-operation partners

Second German Television Channel (ZDF)

As Germany’s second public-service broadcaster, the ZDF transmits the same programme output nation-wide throughout all 16 federal states. Funded from licence fees and advertising revenue, ZDF first went on air on 1 April 1963 as an alternative to the federally-structured ARD network (Association of Public-Service Broadcasters). Its broadcasting centre in Mainz, together with its capital studio in Berlin and its network of 16 domestic and foreign bureaux form the organisational structure of the ZDF, which employs around 3,600 full-time staff. In terms of programming, the ZDF is bound by the journalistic, moral and social values enshrined within its statutory remit to ensure objectivity, balance, independence and fairness. Reflected in the mix of the ZDF’s core output – of which information comprises one half, fiction one third and show and entertainment, sport and children‘s programmes seven percent respectively – is the rich diversity of the programme structure. ZDF fulfils its statutory obligation to incorporate regional, national and international programming through its participation in the German-language culture and arts channel 3sat and the European culture channel ARTE. As a modern broadcasting corporation, the ZDF adapted to the latest technological development at an early stage. Since August 1993, the channel has been available via satellite, and since July 1996 has operated a website at www.zdf.de. The ARD/ZDF-Kinderkanal KI.KA (a dedicated children’s channel) and the current affairs and documentary channel PHOENIX have been on air since 1997. With ZDFtheaterkanal, the ZDFinfokanal and the ZDFneo ZDF also provides viewers with a range of digital channels. Through its balanced mix of information, culture, entertainment and advice and its social and cultural commitment, ZDF is dedicated to successfully building its public value.

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