ZDF Studios has signed a new volume deal with Dutch commercial organization Talpa Network, giving Talpa free television rights to around 250 episodes drawn from multiple installments of the long-running German crime series SOKO.
This agreement, which is the third between the two companies, spans SOKO Potsdam, SOKO Hamburg, SOKO Cologne and SOKO Wismar.
Founded in 2017 by John de Mol, Talpa’s portfolio includes major Dutch channels SBS6, NET5 and Veronica, as well as ad-supported streaming platform KIJK.
Sonderkommission or “SOKO”, short for “Special Investigation Unit”, is structured as a collection of community-based, case-driven procedures that follow dedicated investigative teams in specific cities or regions in Germany. Its modular design has helped the brand maintain long-term operations while providing variation across settings and ensembles.
ZDF Studio emphasized the international expansion of the franchise, noting that over the years, the “SOKO” brand has been widely sold to partners and platforms in multiple regions, including the United States, Canada, Finland, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Netherlands, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, etc.
The distributor also noted that the series has been recognized in the industry throughout its history, having received nominations and awards ranging from top German television awards and international festival honors, including the German Television Award, the German Film Actor Award and the Monte Carlo Television Festival’s Golden Nymph Award.
“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Talpa Networks through this important new agreement,” said Tim Gerharz, chief commercial officer at ZDF Studios, asserting that “SOKO” continues to resonate through “compelling storytelling, relatable characters, and high production values.” Gerharz added that the deal should further strengthen the cooperation between the two companies as episodes reach Dutch audiences.
Bastian van Dalen, head of TV network Talpa Networks, said the broadcaster was “thrilled” to deepen its relationship with ZDF Studios and bring the package to viewers, adding that the series’ combination of “gripping incidents and character-driven stories” should be a perfect fit locally.
For ZDF Studios, the commercial arm of German public broadcaster ZDF, the Talpa deal reflects a core export strategy. This means leveraging our extensive German language library and proven brands to deepen our partnerships across key European markets.
