German TV’s Global Breakout
Why international audiences are tuning in
The challenges facing the global production sector – from commission slowdowns to budget cuts – have been well-documented across most of the industry. Yet, German content is still managing to travel internationally with greater impact. The rising demand for German-made series is signalling a new era of opportunity for producers and distributors willing to think globally from the outset, writes Connie Thorpe-Spinks.
Connie Thorpe-Spinks
PR Manager,
Percy & Warren
The last 18 months alone have delivered a wave of German productions that are reaching international audiences. Netflix’s Murder Mindfully (Achtsam Morden), the darkly comic series produced by Constantin Film, garnered global viewership. It quickly entering the platform’s worldwide Top 10 and earning a second season renewal.
Kleo, produced by Zeitsprung Pictures, not only claimed two German Television Awards but also secured a Critics’ Choice nomination. A testament to its global appeal.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s Luden: Könige der Reeperbahn, a gritty drama set in Hamburg’s red-light district of the 1980s, found traction across multiple territories. And Sky’s Munich Games (right) proved that timely, politically charged thrillers from Germany can resonate well beyond Europe.
This wave of success follows the path laid by earlier titles like Dark, How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), and Barbarians (right). They redefined what international audiences expect from German storytelling: bold concepts, high production values, and strong local identity.
Woman of the Dead is a German-Austrian collaboration between Barry Films, Monafilm Produktion, ORF, and Netflix. Shows like this show how European producers are combining domestic expertise with global platforms to create content that travels. Following its successful 2023 launch, Woman of the Dead has been renewed for a second season. This illustrates how strategic partnerships can expand the reach of premium German-language series.
And there is a clear appetite to build on this momentum. Germany’s production companies are increasingly positioning themselves as global players, looking beyond Europe and drama to explore new genres. From reality formats to true crime and young adult content.
The key moving forward will be in maintaining the authenticity and ambition that have defined recent successes. While adapting development strategies to the realities of a globalised, streamer-driven market.
Original German TV is well positioned to become a leading player for internationally successful programming. Not just exporting shows, but engaging new audiences via strategic international partnerships.
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