Three channels will be discontinued by the end of the year - ARD and ZDF shake up German TV with bold channel reforms by 2027
German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF are overhauling their channel line-up under a new reform plan. By the end of 2026, three existing channels will close, while three fresh co-produced offerings will launch in 2027. The changes follow updates to the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty and aim to adapt to shifting viewing habits.
One long-running crime series, Polizeiruf 110 from Halle, will also end after its current run, despite strong ratings in Eastern Germany.
The restructuring will see ARD alpha, tagesschau24, and ONE shut down by December 31, 2026. The final decision on their closure still requires approval from the broadcasters' governing bodies. Meanwhile, joint working groups are preparing for the January 1, 2027 launch of the new channels.
ARD and WDR will lead phoenix, a shared news and current affairs service. ZDF will take charge of neo, aimed at young adults, and info, a documentary-focused channel. These will join existing collaborations like arte, 3sat, KiKA, funk, and sports programming.
The changes come as ARD Chairman Florian Hager and ZDF Director General Norbert Himmler highlight the need to prioritise digital viewing. The reform also marks the end of Polizeiruf 110 from Halle, an MDR production that drew up to eight million viewers despite only three cases made between 2021 and 2026. The series, which revived a 1996–2013 run, focused on marginalised characters in East Germany and boosted regional ratings. MDR has not detailed specific reasons for its cancellation.
From 2027, viewers will have three new co-produced channels alongside retained services like arte and KiKA. The closure of ARD alpha, tagesschau24, and ONE will complete the transition. The broadcasters' governing bodies must still sign off on the final plans before implementation.
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