ARD and ZDF have announced a new joint arrangement that will see the closure of three channels – ARD Alpha, Tagesschau 24, and ONE – on 31 December 2026. The decision was made public on Wednesday by the two broadcasters.
The three now‑most‑watched services in the realms of information, education, documentaries and content for young adults will be kept alive and will form the core of the new partnership. These programmes will operate under the new brand names Phoenix, Neo, and Info.
Starting from January 2027, the combined portfolio will include, in addition to the German‑French cultural channel Arte, the following offerings: 3sat, Kika, Funk, “Info – the documentary channel”, Neo, and Phoenix. The consolidation follows the stipulations of the Reform State Contract, which requires ARD and ZDF to reduce the number of linear channels and to run the remaining ones jointly.
In the coming months, joint working groups from ARD and ZDF will develop the detailed framework conditions for this cooperation.