MDR vs NDR

Jana Cebulla to lead RBB Brandenburg offering

Jana Cebulla has been appointed as the head of the RBB's Brandenburg regional offering, a newly created position. The appointment was made by the broadcaster's broadcast council for a five-year term, following a proposal by RBB Director-General Ulrike Demmer. Cebulla, who joined RBB from MDR a few months ago, had been leading the program management department. The creation of this role responds to the perception that Brandenburg is underrepresented in RBB's programming, a matter also addressed by the RBB state treaty negotiated with authorities. The broadcaster's earlier legal challenge against the treaty's provisions was rejected by the constitutional court. In her new role, Cebulla will coordinate and advise across departments to ensure Brandenburg's perspectives are adequately considered in planning and decision-making processes. Notably, a similar leadership position for the Berlin offering will not be filled.

• Jana Cebulla has been appointed head of the RBB Brandenburg regional offering, a newly created role.
• The appointment was made by the RBB broadcast council for a five-year term.
• Cebulla moved from MDR to RBB a few months ago, where she led the program management department.

MDR SACHSEN-Dialogtage 2026: Dein Ort. Deine Themen – MDR SACHSEN mittendrin in Freiberg

Am Samstag, 12.09.2026, ab 18.00 Uhr am Rathaus/Ecke Burgstraße zur „Freiberger Nachtschicht“

Germany's AfD Win Threatens Public Broadcasting, MDR Exit Possible

The far-right AfD party won the Saxony-Anhalt state election with 43.8% of the vote but fell short of a majority, preventing an immediate unilateral exit from the MDR public broadcaster. However, talks with the BSW party could enable a future state withdrawal via changes to broadcasting treaties, potentially starting in 2029. Such a move would devastate regional journalism and public service media in the state. Meanwhile, Google is reportedly in talks with major Hollywood studios to license film archives and characters for AI training, potentially reshaping copyright and media monetization. The ARD media library will premiere new 'Tatort' episodes on Fridays, requiring registration, to convert anonymous reach into registered, returning users. France invests €500 million in audiovisual industry, positioning itself against Big Tech.

• AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt election with 43.8% but lacks majority.
• Google in talks with Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. for AI content licensing.
• ARD Mediathek to offer early 'Tatort' episodes requiring registration.

Christian Sieh to Lead AI Transformation at Studio Hamburg Production Group

Christian Sieh has been appointed as the new Head of AI Transformation at the Studio Hamburg Production Group (SHPG), a role created to consolidate the group's AI expertise across its twelve production subsidiaries. Sieh, who previously built an AI unit at SHPG's subsidiary AlwaysOn Production, will now drive AI adoption group-wide, focusing not only on efficiency gains but also on developing new production capabilities and business opportunities. The unit he established, which produced the AI-animated series 'Die Bremer Stammtischmusikanten' for Radio Bremen and NDR, will be led by Ari Flieger moving forward. SHPG's CEO Michael Lehmann emphasized AI as a strategic pillar, while Sieh highlighted the importance of using AI as a tool to support creative employees and improve production economics.

• Christian Sieh is appointed Head of AI Transformation at Studio Hamburg Production Group (SHPG).
• SHPG consolidates its AI competencies into a new global business unit 'AI Transformation'.
• The unit will drive AI adoption across all twelve production subsidiaries of SHPG.

ARD Plans Largest Christmas Sing-Along Ever

German public broadcaster ARD announced plans to produce a live Christmas sing-along TV show titled "O du fröhliche - Deutschland singt!" on December 23, 2026, from the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf. The event aims to connect viewers across Germany and is promoted as the largest Christmas sing-along of all time. It will feature prominent guests such as Sarah Connor and Jonas Kaufmann. The broadcast will be produced by DEF Media in collaboration with NDR, WDR, and BR, with NDR leading the project.

• ARD announced a live Christmas sing-along TV show for December 23, 2026, at 8:15 PM on Das Erste.
• The event will take place at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf, with additional stadiums participating.
• Guests include Sarah Connor and Jonas Kaufmann.

Studio Hamburg Posts Strong 2025 Results, Sells Stakes

Studio Hamburg Group, a subsidiary of NDR Media, reported strong 2025 financial results, with pre-tax profit up 20% to €13.6 million and net profit up 30% to €7.1 million, despite revenue remaining stable at €333 million. The company benefited from several corporate transactions, including the restructuring of its documentary joint venture with ZDF Studios. As part of this, Studio Hamburg sold its 25.1% stake in Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion to ZDF Studios. Additionally, its subsidiary Amalia Film was integrated into another joint venture with ZDF Studios. The company celebrated milestone anniversaries of its long-running formats in 2026. However, CEO Johannes Züll cited challenges such as unpredictable demand, cost pressures, and the need for film funding reform, forecasting a slight revenue decline for 2026.

• Studio Hamburg's 2025 pre-tax profit rose 20% to €13.6 million, and net profit increased 30% to €7.1 million.
• Revenue remained stable at €333 million in 2025.
• Studio Hamburg sold its 25.1% stake in Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion to ZDF Studios.