SOKO crime drama sells to 12 broadcasters as ZDF Studios tops 500 hours of deals

Twelve broadcasters have bought Germany's crime drama SOKO this year.

The sales were confirmed by ZDF Studios ahead of MIPCOM, the international TV market in Cannes where channels and streamers pick up shows. Buyers named so far include Walter Presents in the UK, RTL Croatia, Talpa in the Netherlands and Canal+, according to Deadline.

That is a wide spread for one title. Licensing here means each broadcaster has bought the right to show the series in its own market.

The timing is fresh. The latest season of SOKO premiered on 2 October, just ten days before the sales were reported.

SOKO is part of a larger tally. ZDF Studios said it has sold more than 500 hours of programming in 2026 to buyers in more than 20 territories, measured as of the start of MIPCOM.

Mountain dramas are also travelling. Mountain Medic and Alpine Rescue have both gone to TV2 Denmark, Prima TV in the Czech Republic and TVS in Poland.

Romance is moving too. The long-running series Rosamunde Pilcher and Inga Lindström have been bought by Mediaset in Italy, Nova TV in Bulgaria and TV3 Baltics.

Then there is horror with bite. Vampire series Love Sucks has been licensed to Amazon, Apple, Disney Germany, Sky Switzerland and France Télévisions.

For viewers, this means the same German-made shows will pop up in very different slots. A crime case in one country, a mountain rescue in another, a love story in a third.

Attention in Cannes now turns to what is next. ZDF Studios said it will present premium drama, unscripted and junior programming at MIPCOM 2026, according to ZDF Studios.

Its scripted highlight is High Valley, a series for young adults. The title was named to the Deadline Dozen, a roster of dramas picked out ahead of the Cannes market. Tim Gerhartz is Chief Commercial Officer of ZDF Studios and leads its sales effort at the market.