Market share of TV channels in Germany 2023

The German television channel ZDF hat the highest market share among TV channels in Germany in 2023 with 14.6 percent. ZDF was followed by ARD Dritte and ARD Das Erste, with shares of 13.8 and 11.9 percent. The ranking is based on viewers aged three years and older. 

For the public

ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen) is one of the leading public service broadcasters in Germany, with a long history and many well-known programs. Public broadcasters are seen as providing more high-quality content for viewers and considered to approach broadcasting responsibly. Or, rather, the German audience expects quality and responsibility due to public channels also being financed by license fees - a subject that has been somewhat contentious in the country for decades. The fees have recently been raised. While television remains a leading medium in Germany, it also has to contend with competition brought on by streaming platforms and ever increasing options for media consumption for audiences. The ZDF news show ZDF heute (ZDF today) recorded falling viewer numbers in recent years, though an increase was visible in 2020. However, since 2021 viewer numbers have been falling again.

Making TV

ZDF is known for broadcasting various types of content, from TV movies to documentaries, as well as reporting on different topics. They also have several talk shows on which a variety of famous guests, however mostly politicians, are invited. 
In 2020, a total of 489 TV channels were registered in Germany, with federal, regional, and local ones making up the largest share in the list.