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16 clusters · 75 sources · 125 days · First seen · Last updated

ZDF crime programming 2026

Overview

Following its summer crime focus, ZDF expanded its true-crime programming in September 2026. On 9 September, the program ‘Aktenzeichen XY … Ungelöst’ featured two major unsolved investigations. In Lampertheim, authorities sought information regarding the 2024 murder of a 36-year-old teacher found stabbed in a forest; the Darmstadt public prosecutor's office offered a 5,000 euro reward, noting the perpetrator may have been a seasonal worker who left the country. In Karlsruhe, investigators upgraded the 2025 case of 15-year-old Miguel K., who fell from a bridge, to suspected attempted manslaughter and dangerous bodily harm, offering up to 5,000 euros for information. Also on 9 September, the spin-off ‘XY gelöst,’ hosted by Sven Voss, entered its sixth season. Voss emphasized a non-sensationalist approach, stating that ‘reality is brutal enough.’ The new season, which includes four episodes available via streaming and double broadcasts on 15 and 16 September, covers cases such as a 22-year investigation into a murder and the pursuit of a serial offender linked to nearly 60 attacks on women. Later in the month, ZDF released two installments of ‘XY history,’ also hosted by Sven Voss. The first, ‘Die Jagd nach dem Hammermörder,’ investigates mid-1980s murders in the Stuttgart area committed by police officer Norbert Poehlke, who used a sledgehammer during robberies. The second film examines the 1969 disappearance of children in Eberswalde during the era of the former DDR. ZDF further expanded its true-crime lineup by announcing a second season of ‘XY Spuren des Verbrechens,’ scheduled to begin airing on 9 November 2026. Hosted by Helene Reiner and LKA expert Fabian Puchelt, the series uses archive material and graphic novel visualisations to analyze historical cases from ‘Aktenzeichen XY… Ungelöst.’ The first season of this series achieved an average of 1.83 million viewers.

Entities

ZDF · Rudi Cerne · Sven Voss · Helene Reiner · Roland Färber

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 4 sources
    ZDF to feature European cold cases in new international crime special

    ZDF's new ‘Aktenzeichen XY. . . International’ special will examine European cold cases, including the 2016 disappearance of Sidney Lute in Alsace and the 1997 murder of Manfred Meisel in Mallorca.

  2. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    German true crime media expands with podcast tour and TV renewal

    True crime content expands in Germany with the ‘Schwarze Akte’ podcast announcing a 2027 live tour and ZDF renewing its investigative series ‘XY Spuren des Verbrechens’ for a second season.

  3. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    ZDF releases new 'XY history' true-crime films

    ZDF's 'XY history' series returns with two new films hosted by Sven Voss, covering the 1980s 'Hammermörder' case in Stuttgart and a 1969 disappearance case in Eberswalde.

  4. [CULTURE] 9 sources
    ZDF true-crime series 'XY gelöst' enters sixth season

    ZDF's true-crime series 'XY gelöst' enters its sixth season with Sven Voss, focusing on complex criminal cases through a non-sensationalist lens.

  5. [CRIME] 7 sources
    German crime program to feature two unsolved investigations

    The TV program ‘Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst’ will feature two unsolved German criminal cases: a 2024 murder in Lampertheim and a 2025 bridge fall in Karlsruhe, with rewards offered for information.

  6. [CRIME] 9 sources
    ZDF program Aktenzeichen XY generates new leads in German cold cases

    The ZDF program ‘Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst’ has prompted new leads in several German cold cases, including a rape in Bad Salzuflen and the 35-year-old murder of Ulrike Herrmann.

  7. [CRIME] 15 sources
    ZDF crime program ‘Aktenzeichen XY’ to feature unsolved cases

    ZDF’s ‘Aktenzeichen XY... Ungelöst’ will feature several unsolved cases on August 19, including the 2000 disappearance of Sandra Wißmann and a suspicious death in Glückstadt.

  8. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    ZDF to air four new 'XY gelöst' episodes in September and November 2026

    ZDF will broadcast four new ‘XY gelöst’ true‑crime episodes in September and November 2026, hosted by Sven Voss, revisiting solved cases such as a 21‑year‑old murder and a body found in a suitcase.

  9. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Hilal Ercan missing case featured on ZDF's XY Spuren des Verbrechens

    ZDF’s true‑crime show will air a September episode on the 1999 disappearance of 10‑year‑old Hilal Ercan in Hamburg, featuring new research and police insight.

  10. [CRIME] 41 sources
    Inga Gehricke case: New tips emerge after ZDF’s “Aktenzeichen XY” broadcast

    Inga Gehricke, missing since 2015, was featured on ZDF’s “Aktenzeichen XY”. Police chief Michael Ripke reports many new tips, ongoing review, no remains found, and no exclusion of criminal act.

  11. [CULTURE] 25 sources
    ZDF ends 46‑year‑old crime series ‘Ein Fall für zwei’

    ZDF will end “Ein Fall für zwei” after 46 years, airing a final four‑episode season next year and a 2027 concluding film; the move is part of a programming reshuffle and has drawn fan disappointment.

  12. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    ZDF’s ‘Aktenzeichen XY… Vermisst’ special airs July 8, revisiting cold‑case disappearances

    ZDF aired a ‘Aktenzeichen XY… Vermisst’ special on July 8, revisiting the disappearances of Alexander Bohnert, Corina Niemand and Jutta Schulz, and urging new tips.

  13. [CULTURE] 8 sources
    ZDF to Air Special 'Aktenzeichen XY … Vermisst' on July 8, Showcasing Five Cold Missing‑Person Cases

    ZDF will air a special ‘Aktenzeichen XY … Vermisst’ on 8 July 2026, presenting five long‑standing missing‑person cases and seeking public tips.

  14. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    German public broadcasters revamp schedules and debut new crime series

    German TV networks adjust schedules, air a new true‑crime show, begin filming a new Tatort episode, and offer a crime documentary online.

  15. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    ZDF schedules four XY gelöst true‑crime special episodes for 2026

    ZDF will broadcast four XY gelöst true‑crime specials in 2026, airing two double‑bill evenings (29 April, 10 June) covering solved murders from Cologne and Worms, with episodes available online.

  16. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    ZDF to Air Four Special Episodes of True‑Crime Series “XY gelöst” in 2026

    ZDF will broadcast four special “XY gelöst” episodes on 29 April and 10 June 2026, each night showing two solved true‑crime cases, with online streaming from 22 April.

Sources

190a.de · abendblatt.de · allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de · amica.de · apach57.fr · bbv-net.de · berlin-live.de · berliner-kurier.de · bild.de · bilder1.n-tv.de · bunte.de · dattelner-morgenpost.de · derchotv.de · deutschlandsuchtdensuperstar.de · digitalfernsehen.de · dorstenerzeitung.de · e110.de · embed.presseportal.de · fehmarn24.de · gala.de · halternerzeitung.de · hamburg.t-online.de · harzkurier.de · hellwegeranzeiger.de · heute.de · hna.de · ikz-online.de · klack.de · kreiszeitung.de · kukksi.de · kulturigo.de · kurierverlag.de · leinetal24.de · m.otz.de · m.quotenmeter.de · mannheim24.de · marler-zeitung.de · media.merkur.de · medieninsider.com · merkur.de · mobil.ruhrnachrichten.de · mobil.zeit.de · moin.de · mopo.de · muenchner-merkur.de · muensterlandzeitung.de · netzwelt.de · news38.de

This summary has been updated 13 times: see revision history