Observed Signal · Nov 2, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: DWDL · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Young-Adult Comedy 'ZIVIS' Wins RTL's Storytellers Contest
The young-adult comedy series 'ZIVIS' has won the sixth edition of RTL Deutschland's 'Storytellers' screenwriting competition. Created by students Beth Barnes, Sofia Magalhães, Gabriel Rios, and Paul Safran from the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln, the project beat teams from other German film schools. The series, about the return of mandatory community service and three Gen-Z teenagers, is scheduled for production by Apollonia Film and will air on RTL+. Filming is planned for 2027. The announcement follows a record 112 submissions and a final pitch event in August.
This news is relevant to the AdTech/Media industry as it concerns a new series for RTL+ streaming service, which could attract advertising inventory for RTL's ad-supported platform.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- 'ZIVIS' wins RTL's Storytellers competition, beating four other finalists.
- The series is created by students of the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln.
- Production will be handled by Apollonia Film.
- The series is scheduled to air on RTL+ with filming planned for 2027.
- The competition received 112 submissions this year.
Connected Companies & Entities
1 Entity mapped“RTL Deutschland's 'Storytellers' competition selected 'ZIVIS' as the winner.”
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
ZDF’s 'Back for more' premieres at Seriencamp
ZDF premiered the first episode of its upcoming series "Back for more" at the Seriencamp festival in Cologne. The 45-minute pilot, produced by Studio Zentral/Network Movie in co-production with U5 and ZDF, follows four former boyband members (Rise) as they consider a comeback. The cast includes Tim Sander, Eidin Jalali, Daniel Sträßer and Tristan Seith. Scripts are by Riccarda Schemann and Johannes Rothe, with Facundo Scalerandi directing. The article praises the pilot’s tone and character-driven approach, notes guest appearances (including Collien Fernandes, Detlef D! Soost and Doreen Steinert), and says the series is scheduled to air in early 2027.
RTLzwei to Grow via Reality, Dating and Docs
RTL Zwei will continue to expand its reality formats and social reportages, commissioning new shows that spotlight everyday people such as snack-bar operators (e.g., the documentary 'Die Imbisshelden'), police officers, unemployed people and even documentaries about terminally ill people seeking to end their lives. The coverage reiterates the channel’s editorial focus on real‑people factual programming—genres it previously established with formats like 'Armes Deutschland' and 'Hartz und herzlich'. This reporting aligns with broader programming plans announced for RTLzwei to grow via reality, dating and documentary content, including multiple new seasons, new format brands and documentary specials, as part of a strategy to raise linear audience share and feed streaming siblings.
RTLZwei Reveals 2026/27 Reality and Documentary Slate
RTLZwei announced a major programming investment for the 2026/27 TV season, committing to 17 new seasons of established formats, at least eight new program brands, more than 1,000 new episodes and an expansion of its feature-film offering by over 500 titles. The broadcaster is prioritizing reality formats, documentary and reportages, and new storytelling forms for streaming. Highlighted new and returning shows include the dating format "Maison Tabou" (autumn 2026), a "#CoupleChallenge – Halloween Special", new seasons of "Love Island VIP" and "Der Promihof", a vertical-drama spin-off of "Berlin – Tag & Nacht", and several documentary series such as the six-part "Ackern auf der Alp", "Wildes Leben – Im Zoo ist die Hölle los" (produced by Vincent Productions), and the society-focused "Auf Wiedersehen Leben". RTLZwei frames the slate as part of a strategy to expand its position as a "Home of Reality" and to exploit content across platforms.
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