This wasnt that long afterHBOMaxhad pulled out and Starz Play closing simply added to a stream of bad news.
It was the talk of the industry at theSeriencampfestival and conference earlier this month.
The likes ofDeutschland 83,Das Boot,DarkandBabylon Berlinunderscore the German TV dramas international bona fides.
Annette Hess accepts Deadline’s German TV Disruptor AwardSeriencamp
The Seriencamp festival and conference in Cologne was a moment to take stock.
On the record, there was an effort to remain positive.
But away from the conference stage, numerous local drama producers are worried.
Lauded screenwriter Annette Hess was at Seriencamp to collectDeadlines first-ever German TV Disruptor Award.
It was a bubble and now its over.
Today, Apple boarded the series, aswe revealed a few minutes ago.
We will need to be more creative in terms of co-production and financing.
But while market developments have come fast, progress has been slow.
Furthermore, projects in development can slow as streamers want their new commitments to qualify against the new rules.
The pay-TV company did commit to finishing all shows in physical production, while those in development were paused.
A Sky spokesperson pointed to an internal note from Devesh Raj from June last year.
He had written: As Europes leading direct-to-consumer media and entertainment company, we know our customers well.
Paramounts withdrawal was signposted by former CEO Bob Bakish, who said its Hollywood fare was the global priority.
Just like with Sky, it was a shock to the local community.
Paramount+ went from wantingCSI: Berlinto flatlined communications, said a well-known drama producer.
Disney+ remains an active player, but is also commissioning in very small amounts.
At least one other German drama is understood to be close to production.
The financial reality is biting for everyone, with money more expensive and drama harder to finance.
There was a lot of cheap money available.
Its going back to more of a sustainable baseline.
Anybody doing non-English language is feeling the strain more than ever, she said at Seriencamp.
Travelability was a word that Netflix invented at one point for the local shows that makes it globally.
Now weve gone back to square one, people are producing primarily for their own market.
Upcoming series includeKabulandThe Emperors Stone.
Off the global success ofMaxton Hall, Amazon is unsurprisingly looking for lighter mainstream fare.
We call it popcorn entertainment that makes you feel better, said Hengge.
you’re able to just sit down with your loved one and have a good time watching it.
One drama producer said Prime Videos commissioning team have found their road map and are really stable right now.
Theyve identified the genres and formats that work for them, they added.
Apple, meanwhile, is in its infancy in German originals.
Producers are excited for the new player but it is unlikely to be a high volume operator.
While the streamer has been active on the development front, only one UFA Fictions darkly comicWheres Wanda?
However, it is certainly active: Just this morning, itjoined ZDFneo onKRANK Berlin, as we revealed.
However, there is frustration from within the production community.
As werevealedthis morning, Netflix has quietly shelved the show.
Netflix declined to comment for this article.
The German broadcasters own streaming services are commissioning.
RTL+ launched its new crime miniseriesIch Bin Dagobert(I Am Scrooge) at Seriencamp to a mixed reception.
Pubcaster ZDFs ZDF Neo and commercial giant ProSiebenSat.1s Joyn are also ordering, albeit in measured amounts.
The public service broadcasters are stable because they have schedules to fill, said a production source.
This is a machine that is working.
He is looking at soaps in conjunction with Sat.1 and wants returners.
We dont want one-off shows, he added.
We always want to have a show with a first season and the ability to do more seasons.
Munzner said the streamer is already looking at the 2026 slate and specifically for romantic, female-skewing serialized shows.
To date, thats not noticeably impacted the streamers slate, but market sources are watching closely.
ZDF is also circlingCrimson Crown, the horror thriller from Dario Argento.
This is reason for cautious optimism, but the overriding sentiment from the market right now is apprehension.
