NDR vs Radioplayer

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.

German TV Award Nominates Cinematographers for Art and Trust

The article from DWDL.de, part of its German Television Award special, profiles the nominees for Best Cinematography in both fiction and information categories. It highlights the craft's blend of technical skill, trust-building with subjects, and openness to 'lucky accidents.' Cinematographers like Eike Köhler, Kim Kristin Mauch, Björn Kurtenbach, Wesley William Salamone, and Jürgen Rehberg discuss documentary work, emphasizing the importance of unobtrusive presence and intuitive response. Fiction nominees Philip Peschlow, Theo Bierkens, and Christian Huck discuss visual storytelling, authenticity, and adapting to constraints. The piece also addresses industry trends such as the impact of accessible technology, the challenge of multi-format delivery (e.g., vertical video), and calls for more diverse voices and creative freedom.

• Nominees for Best Cinematography at the German Television Award include Eike Köhler, Kim Kristin Mauch, Björn Kurtenbach, Wesley William Salamone, and Jürgen Rehberg for information; and Philip Peschlow, Theo Bierkens, and Christian Huck for fiction.
• Eike Köhler, Kim Kristin Mauch, and Björn Kurtenbach used a Sony FX3 camera for the documentary 'Minentaucher' to allow agile following of subjects.
• Wesley William Salamone emphasizes the need for blind trust between director and camera in documentary work, as moments cannot be repeated.

Radioplayer brings car radio done right to CarApp World Europe

Radioplayer's participation in CarApp World Europe to demonstrate in-car radio delivery.