Tatort to Turncoat: An Inside Look at the Intriguing and Unique World of German TV

German television has a long and rich history, producing some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed shows in the world. From crime dramas to political thrillers, German TV has captured the attention of audiences around the globe with its unique style and compelling storytelling.

For North American viewers, there’s no better destination to stream German TV than MHz Choice. For the discerning viewer who craves depth beyond what American dramas can offer, you’ll find thousands of hours of international programming available instantly and on demand.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into the intriguing world of German TV, exploring what sets it apart from other television industries and highlighting some of the most popular shows available on MHz Choice, including the long-running and beloved Tatort franchise and Turncoat. Join us as we explore the captivating world of German television and uncover the secrets behind its success.

Meret Becker and Mark Waschke in Tatort: Streets of Berlin

A (Very) Brief History of German Television

German television has an involved rich history that dates back to the 1930s, when the first TV broadcasts were made by a small number of experimental stations. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that television really took off in Germany, with the establishment of the public broadcaster ARD and the first private TV stations. Since then, German television has become an important part of the country’s cultural landscape, with a wide range of programming that includes news, sports, entertainment, and more.

German TV is the largest television market in mainland Europe currently, with its high quality programming being exported to audiences across the continent and around the world. Today, German television is known for its high production values and innovative programming.

German TV Shows: What Makes them Unique

German TV shows with a unique, dark, political or historical context like Babylon Berlin, Charite, Dark or Deutschland 83 tend to be focused on global events and history. German shows also commonly infuse political events in its theme such as war dramas or current topical events in society and culture. (This is also true for many German comedies, such as the political mystery satire Miss Merkel. Learn more about what makes German comedies unique here!).

The Nordic Noir style from Scandinavia has been extremely influential to the development of the German television market. Scandi noir is a type of crime fiction usually written from a police point of view, known for its dark and chilling atmospheres. This genre is the most prevalent and central style of programming on German TV, with many widely known German crime and police dramas that permeate the entertainment field.

Tatort: A German TV Institution

The Tatort franchise (translating to “Crime Scene” in English) is the iconic, and longest continuous running television drama in German history. Tatort is a police procedural drama that has been broadcase since 1970 and airs on ARD which is the national public broadcast network for Germany. Weaving current social events throughout its engaging plotlines, each season of the series consists of its own self-contained story.

Tatort is unique in that it’s not only produced locally but is jointly co-produced with other participating Austrian and Swiss national public broadcasters. This collaboration lends itself to being a truly international TV show with each season shot in a different city. Tatort is reflective of that international contribution from everything from scenery, regional dialects, and varying detectives who take center stage on each episode. This interweaving of the storytelling makes this a hugely watchable show that for years has captivated audiences in Germany and around the world.

A typical episode of the series is feature-length and runs about 90 minutes, allowing the proper time to fully delve into the inner worlds of the main characters and become enraptured as the cases unfold. The detective pairings throughout the series follows the tried and true buddy cop kind of formula, but with a deeper twist. As seasons unfold, characters reveal their flaws and unique lived experience, with the show addressing issues that mirror real-life society, such as drug use, racism, prostitution, mental illness, and more.

Each series of Tatort offers its own regional charm and characters to love. If you’re looking for a place to start, check out the multiple versions of Tatort streaming now on MHz Choice.

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