How much of the programming broadcast on ZDF actually comes from independent producers – and how much from its own subsidiaries? PROG Producers of Germany is calling on Channel greater transparency in the Contract award and is particularly evident in Fiction and documentary: a need for clarification.

The association welcomes ZDF in principle as a key partner of the independent film production industry and highlights its importance for cinema, emerging talent and successful co-productions. At the same time, PROG reports that it has observed an increasing shift in commissioning practices to the detriment of independent producers and licensors.

The association sees a problem in the way the procurement data has been presented to date. The ZDF report on public procurement distinguishes between not sufficiently categorised by format and broadcast slot. From PROG’s point of view, this would not allow for understand, whether the requirement set out by ZDF – to award less than a third of contracts and licences to affiliated companies – is is actually adhered to in the individual programme areas.

PROG therefore calls for a more detailed A breakdown of the data. This is the only way to make an objective assessment of the conditions under which independent production companies compete with ZDF’s subsidiaries for contracts and co-productions.

„In the interests of a fact-based debate“, the ZDF must analyse and publish the relevant data, demands PROG Managing Director Julia Maier-Hauff.

To mark the occasion, ZDF had At the recent Producers’ Day, the producers, for their part, emphasised the importance of collaboration with the production industry. According to the broadcaster ZDF is more than 800 million euros the largest single client of the German creative industries every year.