The series shows that productions by broadcasters can keep up with global platforms. Similarly, Sabine Verheyen, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Culture Committee, noted European cooperation in her speech: “ ‘Der Schwarm’ is an impressive example of a truly European production. The adaptation of ‘The Swarm’ shows: With the right partners, European productions are internationally competitive.”

He said, “ZDF is proud of to have played a leading role in driving this ambitious European co-production. Norbert Himmler emphasised how the show was an “outstanding example of innovative fictional television”. The ambition in undertaking an international co-production on this scale truly sets Der Schwarm apart and demonstrates how public media are undertaking necessary innovation to adapt to changing markets and meet existing and emerging audience needs.Īt an event before the series’ launch, ZDF Director General Dr. The English language adaptation is a response to market changes brought on by streaming services and ZDF’s plan to significantly grow its international sales. The series was dubbed for its German audience on two of its channels and offered subtitles on its video-on-demand service.Ī collaborative public service innovation Der Schwarm is the Alliance’s largest co-production to date. As the commissioning broadcaster, ZDF is the lead on the venture. The Alliance is co-producing Der Schwarm alongside public broadcasters ORF in Austria and SRF in Switzerland, Scandinavia’s Nordic Entertainment Group, and Hulu Japan. Bilke is referring to the European Alliance – a joint initiative among public broadcasters ZDF, France Télévisions and Italy’s Rai. This shows us once again that sophisticated entertainment reaches the audience and that it is worthwhile to implement extraordinary projects together with international partners.”ĭr. Nadine Bilke said, “We are pleased that both ‘ Der Schwarm’ and the accompanying documentaries are in such high demand in the media library and on TV. Speaking on the series’ success, ZDF Programme Director Dr. The series was also a success with its TV broadcasts, despite a significant slump in viewers after the first two episodes’ release – on 6 March, the first two episodes received 7.5 million viewers, while an average of 5.5 million viewers were reached across the series’ four consecutive evenings of airing at prime time. The eight-part series was launched on the ZDF media library on 22 February and from 6-9 March on linear TV. The public broadcaster’s adaptation of the bestselling German novel of the same name (‘The Swarm’ in English) had already made history by being produced in English.

According to ZDF, Der Schwarm’s first two episodes alone reached nearly 2 million viewers online.

Der Schwarm by Frank Schätzing