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.

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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.

The Nordic Noir style from Scandinaivia 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..


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.


Tatort: Borowski

DRAMA – CRIME | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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Detective Klaus Borowski solves crimes in the port city of Kiel with a unique mix of intuition and social awkwardness.

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Tatort: Cologne

DRAMA – CRIME | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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Smooth-talking Max Ballauf and his robust, level-headed partner Freddy Schenk are Cologne’s best homicide detectives – and two of the most popular investigators in the almost 50-year history of Germany’s iconic ‘Tatort’ franchise.

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Tatort: Lindholm

DRAMA-CRIME | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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Lone wolf detective Charlotte Lindholm has an uncanny talent for solving crimes and fumbling all personal relationships.

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Tatort: Munich

DRAMA – CRIME | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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Croatian detective Ivo Batic has worked with Munich native Franz Leitmayr so long they’re like brothers: they know each other’s stories, butt heads occasionally and cover for each other’s weaknesses. It’s one of the most durable partnerships in the 50-year history of Germany’s iconic ‘Tatort’ franchise!

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Tatort: Streets of Berlin

DRAMA-CRIME | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-MA

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Berlin is sexy, deadly and dangerous, devouring unwitting victims and the cops who walk its streets. In this latest installment of the Tatort franchise, Inspectors Nina Rubin and Robert Karow team up as a uniquely competent and dysfunctional pair.

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Tatort: Weimar

DRAMA – CRIME | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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Another ‘Tatort’ odd couple with a twist of comedy. He’s intellectual and she likes to take action. Together, Lessing and Dorn keep criminals on the run in Germany’s historic city of Weimar.

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Must-Watch Dark German Shows

Turncoat: A New Twist on Espionage Thrillers

DRAMA | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-MA

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This acclaimed World War II drama is about a young German soldier torn between a sense of duty, guilt and conscience, who ultimately defects to fight with the Red Army. Based on the bestselling book by Siegfried Lenz, main character Walter Prosja must make a decision that could alter the course of his life as he begins to question who the real enemy might be. With a gripping storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this four-episode miniseries is unforgettable and a must-watch.

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Borderland: A Gritty Father-Daughter Police Team-Up

DRAMA | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-MA

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This police thriller revolves around a German father-daughter team, who work with their French colleagues to battle organized crime in the German border town of Kehl. Each of the four episodes features heart-pounding action as daughter Leni goes undercover to derail a gang war between Russian drug lords.

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Algiers Confidential: A Dangerous Race Against Time

DRAMA – CRIME | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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A German Police investigator assigned to his country’s embassy in Algiers engages in an illicit affair with a highly-placed  Algerian Prosecutor. And that’s only the start of the conflict in this exciting four-episode miniseries.

The main action kicks off when the kidnapping of a German arms dealer puts them in direct conflict as they navigate an ever-shifting group of potential allies, factions of officials.  With high production values, a diverse array of exteriors set across North Africa and Europe and high octane action series, this twisty adventure is not one to miss.

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Money Murder Zurich: Catch the All New Season of this Crime Drama

MYSTERY | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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The title essentially serves as a plot summary for this popular German crime drama. Disgraced lawyer Thomas Borchert is on a mission to clear his name. Wanted for financial embezzlement, money laundering and other assorted crimes, he sets up shop in his native Zurich as an unlicensed defender. He quickly makes it known that he’s out for revenge on those who turned him in, all while getting closer with the daughter of an old friend who reluctantly assists his mission.

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More Notable and Original Series from Germany

Luther and I: A Stunning NY Times Recommended Period Drama

DRAMA | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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Set during Germany’s Protestant Reformation, the period film Luther and I delves into the tumultuous era led by the renowned historical figure, Martin Luther. While you may already know all about Luther’s infamous exile by the Pope, you might have yet to discover the story of Katharina von Bora, Martin Luther’s significant other.

Stepping into the spotlight as the protagonist of this story, Katharina is a 16th-century nun who broke free from the convent to join Luther’s reformation movement after reading his writings about individual freedom. You can experience this historical drama for yourself by watching it on MHz Choice, and get swept up in the fascinating tale of one of history’s most iconic couples.

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Berlin Legal: High-Octane Legal Drama

DRAMA | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

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Leo Roth is Germany’s most successful media lawyer, shaping popular opinion as she takes on high-powered clients from the world of celebrity and politics. Although the series is fictional, the cases Leo takes on echoes real-life societal debates including the limitations of free speech, media smear campaigns and what qualifies as political satire. All eight episodes of this new series are streaming now on MHz Choice. 

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The Weissensee Saga: A Sweeping Family Drama

DRAMA | GERMANY | GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-PG

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A sweeping story of two families that takes place over several decades, The Weissensee Saga follows the lives of the Kupfers, a well connected-family within East Germany’s 1980’s era communist regime. The youngest son of the family Martin, strikes up a relationship with Julia Hausmann, a young shop worker, which complicates all of their lives as it comes to light that her mother is a singer known for her frequent critiques of the regime.

This four season series explores themes of conflicting loyalties, love, hope, faith and betrayal, in the tumultuous times of 1980s and 1990s East Berlin.

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Explore Deutschland with MHz Choice

Explore German TV today with MHz Choice bringing you the quality streaming and exciting international entertainment through thriller, mystery, and dramatic offerings. Start your non commitment free trial now and gain access to hundreds of titles, shows, and epic series from MHz Choice!


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