ZDF, also known as Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, is a state-owned entity headquartered in Germany. Founded in 1963, the company operates with approximately 3,130 employees and reported $2.9B in revenue as of 2025, functioning as a tier 1 media tech buyer. The company specializes in content rights and provides TV broadcasting services, offering both live and on-demand content.

2025 Revenue

Founded

1963

Headcount

3,992

Headquarters

Germany

Primary Segment

Content rights

Ownership

State Owned

Deployments

1

News Summary:

On September 9, 2026, ZDF and SRF concluded the inaugural "Streamium Days" in Mainz, an international leadership forum designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and networking across the media industry through inspiration exchange and strategic debate. Previously, on August 24, ZDF, in conjunction with German media organizations ARD, Deutschlandradio, ProSiebenSat.1, RTL Deutschland, Deutsche Welle, and publishing associations BDZV and MVFP, renewed its opposition to US visa plans for foreign correspondents, which were scheduled to take effect on September 15. This followed an announcement on July 26 that ZDF and SRF would host the "Streamium Days 2026" on September 7-8, an event targeting media executives with a focus on streaming, artificial intelligence, and digital platform development. Earlier, on July 2, ZDF signed a new multi-year media rights agreement with Volleyball World, aiming to provide German fans free access to extensive coverage of national team matches in prestigious international volleyball tournaments.

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ZDF offers 5 products in the media and telecoms services industry. ZDF's product portfolio comprises of broadcast television and radio and media and TV services.
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ZDF's revenues were over $1B in 2025. Caretta Research has split ZDF's revenue into 2 different product categories, the largest of which is sports sublicensing. For full access to ZDF's revenue breakdown subscribe to Caretta Portal.
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Examples of ZDF's suppliers include Adobe, Deutsche Telekom Germany and Eutelsat.

Example Customers

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Example Suppliers

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ZDF currently holds 61 broadcasting rights for sports competitions including biathlon, soccer | association football, athletics, triathlon, volleyball, ice skating, multi-sport, cycling, rowing, ice hockey, handball, winter sports, field hockey, marathon and aquatics and swimming.

Example Sports Rights Suppliers

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