ZDFE merges entertainment, factual arms

ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE), the commercial arm of German pubcaster ZDF, is merging its factual and entertainment departments into one unscripted unit.

Ralf Rückauer

ZDFE.factual, headed by Ralf Rückauer, and ZDFE.entertainment, led by Sylvia Brucker, will together form ZDFE.unscripted.

The new division will be directed by Rückauer with Brucker remaining responsible for entertainment.

The division will house entertainment formats such as Wanna Bet?, Quiz Champion and Cash or Trash, alongside documentaries including Big Pacific, The Story of Europe and Size Matters.

“This optimised structure will offer our national and international customers and business partners even better service with well-known, quality and proven contacts. We will consolidate our position in the market and continue to develop ourselves under the brand ZDFE.unscripted,” said Fred Burcksen, president and CEO of ZDFE.

Burcksen, together with co-MD Stephan Adrian, took over from long-serving president and CEO of ZDFE Alexander Coridass at the end of 2017 as the firm celebrated its 25th anniversary.