At the Screenforce Festival 2026, The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery presented their strategic plans for the German free-to-air TV market. The focus was on the further development of the channel brands and new programming initiatives.

Disney has announced that it will relaunch the Disney Channel at the turn of the year in Disney TV to be renamed. In future, the channel is set to offer more content aimed at adult audiences alongside its established children’s and family programming, including series, crime programmes and feature films in the evening. At the same time, dedicated programming slots for children will remain in place. In addition, the company unveiled the new German-language Hulu Original „Under the Ice“ a film, the shooting of which is due to begin in Switzerland.

Warner Bros. Discovery has focused on positioning its channel brands and expanding its own content. According to the company, TELE 5 remains a key destination for science fiction fans, with an extensive special programme to mark the 60th anniversary of *Star Trek*. From 8 to 13 September, the channel will be showing series, feature films and an anniversary documentary featuring William Shatner and Jonathan Frakes.

In the factual programming sector, Warner Bros. Discovery has announced new in-house productions for DMAX. These include the programmes „Feuerwache 1 – Alarm in Ingolstadt“ and „Die Helgoländer“, as well as new series of „112: Feuerwehr im Einsatz“, „110 Hannover“, „Speed Cops“ and „Der Germinator“. In addition, Eurosport is continuing its extensive live coverage of the Tour de France.

With their announcements, both media companies underlined their strategy of further developing linear television through clearly positioned brands, new content and closer integration with their streaming services.