contents ContentS 5 Factual Programming on ZDF 6 ZDF 6 Department of History and Science 12 Department of Contemporary History 17 Department of Current Affairs 23 Department of Environmental Affairs 25 Department of Drama 30 3sat 34 ARTE 40 ZDF inFo 44 Programs / timE slots - ovErviEw 46 ZDF EntErPrisEs – who We arE ZDF Enterprises Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1 48 Contact D-55127 Mainz Germany T: +49 (0) 6131-991-1835 [email protected] www.zdf-enterprises.de www.zdf-enterprises.de 3 factual programming on ZDf Department of culture, History anD science FaCtual Programming on ZDF ZDF has an enviable reputation as one of the most important providers of factual programming in Europe. In the highly competitive German TV mar- ket, ZDF runs numerous regular documentary strands including weekly- broadcasts of documentaries in two prominent prime-time slots, with high market shares of 12 – 15%. Topics such as expeditions to unknown worlds, legends and mysteries in the history of mankind, spectacles of nature, the evolution of man and the turning points of 20th-century history have been shown to attract large audiences. The success of programmes such as Terra-X, Doomsday, World War I, Secrets of the Third Reich, History of the Germans and Planet Egypt reflects the intensity of audience appreciation for this programformat. For ZDF, visual quality is a prerequisite for the success of a documentary. Today’s top documentaries are highly-dramatised narra- tives which convey important themes in gripping style, making full use of the medium’s potential. The narrative element is, therefore, a key factor in the success of the genre. However, the outlay necessary to do justice to these requirements is not insignificant: intensive research and careful preparation of the material is essential. The dramatic component (structure and editing) attains top feature-film levels, while the composition, in terms of picture and music, matches that found in the best theatrical productions. Hitler’s England 4 www.zdf-enterprises.de 5 Department of culture, History anD science ZDf – Department of History anD science ZDF – Department of HiStory anD SCienCe EXAMPlEs saga oF thE Germans (6 x 45') WHO THEY ARE: From Neanderthal man to his modern cousins who now live in the heart of Europe: the Ger- mans are and will continue to live as one nation, living in a country com- prised of several states, with diverse origins, and good and evil chapters in their past. The Saga of the Germans is a great synopsis of what it is that makes Germany unique, shown in this way for the first time on television. The Department of History and Science is one of ZDF’s most important A simultaneously opulent and surprising foray in which viewers will come departments for factual programming. It broadcasts documentaries on reli- face to face with the superstars of German history. The documentary se- gion, history, nature, medicine and science. ries is narrated and presented by Professor Christopher Clark, Australian by birth and now a historian at the University of Cambridge. tERRA X THE cELTS (3 x 45') Famous for teaching the Romans not just fear, but Slot: Sunday 07:30 p.m.; 42 x 45' the art of warfare. Their tribal areas spanned from England, Spain and 60% commissions, 10% ZDF in-house productions, 30% coproductions and France across to the outer reaches of Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Ana- acquisitions every year. tolia. They are our ancestors, and yet we know relatively little about them. Indeed, they did not even call themselves the name by which we know ZDF’s successful Terra X series, with an approx. 4 million viewers and ap- them today: the Celts. This three-part documentary, The Celts, explores prox. 13.3 % market share, focuses on ancient history, mythology, scientific the life and work of the tribes referred to as Celts or Gauls by their en- discovery, geology and wildlife. With the emphasis on entertainment with a emies. For nearly an entire millennium, these tribes made a lasting mark strong scientific foundation, Terra X has evolved to become a recognised on the history of Europe and provided plenty of distraction for the emerg- brand within ZDF, highly regarded by viewers of all ages and across the ing Roman Empire. social spectrum. It therefore comes as no surprise that each of these lavishly produced scientific adventures attracts several million viewers. A great number of the Terra X productions are coproductions with interna- ONE DaY IN … (3 x 45') How did ordinary people live in the past? Where tional partners and producers, including ARTE, BBC, NHK and others. did the average Roman live during the imperial era? Did they brush their teeth and eat breakfast? And where did they go to the bathroom? What 6 www.zdf-enterprises.de 7 ZDf – Department of History anD science ZDf – Department of History anD science was life like for a doctor in medieval Frankfurt am main – or what about plored here include human destiny, crises, and decisions with far-reaching for a Berlin housemaid around 1900? This three-part series follows the consequences. For example, the series highlights the people fighting for fictional protagonists throughout an entire day, revealing intricate details ecological or humanitarian causes, examines the psychology of criminals of their lives that were previously lost to history. The programme reveals and of those who pursue them, and pays closer attention to the lives of some rituals that sometimes appear strange from a modern perspective, people with illnesses and disabilities. Further, it might look at the various while also showing a number of surprisingly familiar habits and vices. unusual or mundane things people may do with their time, or how people can become famous in our modern world. OUR FORESTS (3 x 45') No natural environment feels quite as homely and as in tune with the human spirit as the forest. Our forests is a three- EXAMPlEs part series that goes beyond telling some of our cultural history, but also FRAUEn IM KNAST / WOMEn IN JAIL (30') Women make up just six pays homage to ‘the tree as a living organism’. This visually stunning pro- per cent of Germany’s prison population. The women’s prison in Vechta, gramme transports the viewer into a world we adore, yet still have much Lower Saxony, is the place where it’s hoped these women can turn their to learn about. lives around. Here we meet Dijana, a convicted murderer who has been in prison for eleven years. She has ambitions of becoming a chef after she has finished her sentence. Then there’s Melanie; imprisoned for drug offences, 37° she is now receiving medical support to help cure her addictions. This film Slot: Tuesday 10:15 p.m.; 40 x 30' follows the women’s daily lives in prison over the course of a year: we get to 80% commissions, 10% ZDF in-house productions, 10% coproductions and know how they tick, how they cope with any feelings of guilt, as well as their acquisitions every year. hopes and fears surrounding their futures once they are outside. Three departments produce items for this slot: History and Society, Church and Life (Protestant), and Church and Life (Catholic). in thE chilD’s bEst intErEsts: mothErs who givE uP thEir chilDrEn (30') Women who put their children up for adoption are of- ten perceived as failures, and have to live with the pain of separation for CONTENTS the rest of their lives. 37 Grad follows three women who have faced this dif- The themes covered in the 37° series are situated at the intersection be- ficult decision for very different reasons: Nicole has always struggled with tween culture, religion and society. The chief purpose is not to cover spe- depression and wants to put her child up for adoption as soon she has given cialist areas or contemporary events, but instead to establish an authentic birth. Veronika has two children already, and was already destitute when she proximity to people’s everyday lives, feelings and situations. The themes ex- 8 www.zdf-enterprises.de 9 ZDf – Department of History anD science ZDf – Department of History anD science fell pregnant with a third by a man who wants nothing to do with her or the VARIOUS FACTUAL PROGRAMMEs FOR baby. Then there’s Andrea, who decided to put her child up for adoption 20 rELIGIOUS HOLIDaYs years ago, but has since made contact with her long-lost daughter. Slot: Easter, Whitsun and Christmas; 45' Well-produced documentaries on biblical and archaeological themes JOURNEY oF mY LIFE (30') Ruby was three years old when she was adopted from Nepal in 2002. Since then, she’s been living in Hunsrück, and CHURCH AND LIFE PROTESTANT is one year away from finishing high school. For so long Ruby has wanted EXAMPlEs: nothing more than to discover her roots, but her research to date has proven The myth of Byzantium – fruitless. Petra Gerster follows the trail of an empire (45'; 2015) The empire of the white monks – Then one day, out of the blue, her world is turned upside-down when an e- Petra Gerster follows the trail of the Cistercians (45'; 2016) mail arrives from her sister: it turns out her family have been looking for her Martin Luther – for a long time. Stunned by this stroke of luck, Ruby wants to return to Nepal Petra Gerster follows the trail of the reformer (45'; 2016) as soon as possible – without her adoptive parents. Paul’s dangerous mission – Petra Gerster follows the trail of the apostle (45'; 2017) FORGOTTEn: YOUNG PEoPlE WITH DEmENTIA (30') Successful, young, and popular.