ZDF Magazin Royale

Season 12

2026 · 13 episodes · 6h 48m in all · 7.4/10

Episodes

1. 

   1. Absolute rule with a fun factor

   27 Feb 2026 · 31 min · 7.0/10

   Warning: Laugh out loud! What's going on in the "land of progress" Saudi Arabia? They even have a comedy festival! Progress in pop culture. In women's rights. And in executions.

2. 

   2. Welcome to the Epstein Rabbit Hole

   6 Mar 2026 · 33 min · 6.0/10

   The Epstein Files. Among three million unsorted pages that are almost impossible to survey, one can also find a German who exchanged encrypted messages with Epstein: David Stern.

3. 

   3. International law: Yes, no, maybe

   13 Mar 2026 · 31 min · 8.0/10

   Israel and the US are bombing Iran to make it a better country – and are accepting civilian casualties in the process. Is it permissible to break international law to eliminate an unjust regime?

4. 

   4. Moneymaxing on prescription

   20 Mar 2026 · 30 min · 7.0/10

   25 million Germans use Doctolib, but that's still not enough for the online appointment booking portal. What are the French company's goals – and why does it want our data for its AI?

5. 

   5. Masquerade ball in the dark field

   27 Mar 2026 · 30 min · 7.0/10

   Bullying, doxxing, stalking, swatting, self-hatred – the 2026 season at the Schauspielhaus Bickendorf has begun! With a brilliant debut that brings the anonymity of the digital world to the stage.

6. 

   6. ZDF Magazin Royale presents: ZMR on Location – The Eifel Is Quaking

   10 Apr 2026 · 29 min

   Is the Eifel facing the threat of a volcanic eruption? Reporter Katja Fohrord is on the scene with the latest updates. Carolina-Sabine "Sabine" Foehnigs reports from the news studio.

7. 

   7. Christian Ulmen's many lawyers

   17 Apr 2026 · 33 min · 7.0/10

   The presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle of the rule of law. But why does it always immediately take center stage in the debate? The Ulmen case demonstrates one thing above all: how men look out for one another.

8. 

   8. Who trains the police?

   24 Apr 2026 · 37 min · 7.0/10

   This week, we turn our attention to a very special place within the police apparatus: training at the police academy. A mysterious professor with an extraordinary background teaches there…

9. 

   9. The Taliban in the Federal Office

   1 May 2026 · 31 min · 8.5/10

   Germany does not recognize the Afghan Taliban regime, yet "technical contact" is considered perfectly acceptable for straightforward deportations. How close is the cooperation really?

10. 

    10. Grundi-Gate: Exploitation Made in Germany

    8 May 2026 · 29 min · 7.0/10

    Workers in sheltered workshops for people with disabilities receive an average of around 230 euros for their work. How is that possible? And how does this relate to the halt in sales of our "Grundi" action figure?

11. 

    11. Political influence on public service broadcasting

    15 May 2026 · 34 min · 8.0/10

    Politicians who take a critical view of independent public service broadcasting have been around for a long time. Unfortunately, the same applies to attempts to influence it.

12. 

    12. Ten Years of the "Rundfunk-Tanzorchester Ehrenfeld"

    22 May 2026 · 33 min · 8.0/10

    2016 was a pivotal year—politically, socially, and musically. An orchestra formed in Cologne-Ehrenfeld that remains unrivaled to this day: the "Rundfunk-Tanzorchester Ehrenfeld."

13. 

    13. ZDF Magazine on Location – The Demolition of the Colonius

    29 May 2026 · 27 min · 8.0/10

    One of Europe's most beautiful landmarks is on the verge of being demolished by explosives. Presenter Peter-Stefan Thomas has strapped on knee pads and is on the scene live as the "Colonius" telecommunications tower in Cologne explodes.