ARD and ZDF announced on Wednesday that they will consolidate their programming and shut down three channels. The networks will close ARD Alpha, Tagesschau24 and ONE on 31 December 2026.
The three highest‑rated services in the areas of news, education, documentary and young‑adult content will be kept alive as the foundation for a joint effort. Their brand names will be Phoenix, Neo and Info.
Starting in January 2027, the combined portfolio will include the German‑French cultural channel Arte, plus 3sat, Kika, Funk, “Info – the Documentary Channel” Neo and Phoenix. This shift follows the reform state treaty, which requires ARD and ZDF to reduce the number of linear channels and operate the remaining ones together. In the coming months, joint working groups will develop the specific framework conditions for this new arrangement.
