ZDF has expanded the distribution of its podcasts through a new cooperation with RTL+, bringing a range of the German public broadcaster’s audio content to the streaming platform.
The move is intended to make ZDF podcasts more widely available and strengthen collaboration between public and commercial broadcasters in Germany.
From today, prominent ZDF podcasts are accessible to RTL+ subscribers, signalling a strategic step to make ZDF’s audio formats discoverable “wherever podcasts are found”.
ZDF Director of Audience Florian Kumb said the partnership demonstrated that competitors could also work together on shared offerings. “We are pleased that as programming competitors we can also realise joint content formats between public and private broadcasters,” he said. “This aligns with our goal of being a ZDF for everyone. We want to provide as many access points as possible to our content. Our accompanying podcasts to ZDF programme brands are ideally suited to this.”
Inga Leschek, Chief content officer at RTL Deutschland, added: “RTL+ offers not only its own content in the podcast area but also a broad selection of the best podcasts from other publishers,” she said. “Now the audio content of ZDF, which ranks among the strongest in Germany, is added. We are delighted that thanks to the new cooperation we can give RTL+ subscribers access to podcasts such as Lanz & Precht or Aktenzeichen XY – Unvergessene Verbrechen.”
Source: https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2026/01/09/rtl-adds-zdf-podcasts-to-streaming-catalogue/
