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.
On July 26, 2026, public broadcasters ZDF and SRF unveiled plans for "Streamium Days 2026," a two-day international leadership forum set for September 7–8 in Mainz. The event will target media executives, focusing on streaming, artificial intelligence, and digital platform development. Previously, on July 2, Volleyball World announced the signing of a new multi-year media rights agreement with German public broadcaster ZDF. This partnership aims to provide German fans with free access to extensive coverage of national team matches in prestigious international volleyball tournaments. This agreement followed the June 26 announcement where Volleyball World, the commercial arm of the FIVB, struck a new media rights deal with ZDF for free-to-air coverage of Germany's men's and women's national teams in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), with the men's 2026 VNL running from June 11 to August 3.
ZDF offers 5 products in the media and telecoms services industry. ZDF's product portfolio comprises of media and TV services and broadcast television and radio.
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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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ZDF currently holds 61 broadcasting rights for sports competitions including ice hockey, rowing, aquatics and swimming, marathon, volleyball, biathlon, field hockey, cycling, winter sports, handball, soccer | association football, triathlon, multi-sport, athletics and ice skating.
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