ZDF-Enterprises

ZDF believes that an essential aspect of its task is to provide a varied and top-quality range of children’s programs. Children’s broadcasting takes place on two different platforms: within the main ZDF program on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and on the Kinderkanal, the Children’s Channel that is run in association with ARD and has been broadcasting with great success since the beginning of 1997.

ZDF children’s features are specially designed to be informative and innovative, they are free of advertising, and they also aim to promote social and media skills. Attractive genres and themes are addressed at all children up to the age of 12, encouraging participation and critical attitudes. The programs include a wealth of animated films and real-life series, feature films, fairy tales, magazine programs, informative programs, specials and in-house productions. In addition to a number of premieres, classic children’s programs like "Biene Maja" and "Pippi Longstocking" are also broadcast.

ZDF Enterprises not only secures programs on the international market but is also actively engaged in the worldwide search for coproduction partners to execute international projects. For example, H2O: JUST ADD WATER is a world wide hit series coproduced with Australian partner Jonathan M. Shiff, where real girls are suddenly turned into mermaids with incredible powers over water! The newest smash hit series, “LIGHTNING POINT”, is a tale of two irreverent, beautiful teen aliens who are stranded on Earth – and are crazy about surfing!

For children of pre-school age there is the animated series "IGAM OGAM", the wonderfully cute Stone Age girl, whose cheeky games can sometimes go awry. Or "Laura’s Star", in which a 5-year-old girl has a magic friendship with a star, presenting the outside world from a child’s point of view.

The second series of "THE JUNGLE BOOK" is currently in production for children of 6 – 10 years of age. Produced by Indian children’s animation company DQ Entertainment, THE JUNGLE BOOK brings to life the story of Mowgli, the boy raised in the jungle by wolves, based on the classic tale by Rudyard Kipling. Plus, the new addition of SHERLOCK YACK from France’s Mondo TV is a unique 2D animation where the children are the real detectives!