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Broadcasters / ARD (Das Erste) / Ard Story Im Ersten

ARD (Das Erste)

Ard Story Im Ersten

Format

Dokumentation / Dokumentarfilm

Length

45 min or 90 min

Timeslot

Monday 22:50 / Wednesday 22:50

Exposé length

4–6 pages

Editorial tone

Journalistically grounded, narratively dense. Major societal themes with clear perspective, but fair. Quality journalism with cinematic storytelling power. Can be uncomfortable.

What this format covers

  • ●Major socio-political themes with relevance
  • ●Contemporary history (Nazi era, GDR, reunification)
  • ●Investigative backgrounders with exclusive access
  • ●International conflicts and crises from German perspective
  • ●Economic and environmental scandals
  • ●Portraits of significant figures in contemporary historical context

What this format does NOT want

  • ●Light entertainment formats
  • ●Pure science formats without societal connection
  • ●Lifestyle or travel formats
  • ●Wildlife films
  • ●Formats without journalistic added value

Visual expectations

High cinematic standards. Exclusive shoots, investigative research made visible, archival material, international locations. Interviews with relevant actors. No tabloid look.

Expected exposé structure

  1. Logline
  2. Exposé text with socio-political main thread
  3. Protagonists and access
  4. Research status and exclusive elements
  5. Visual execution
  6. Benchmarking (What already exists on this topic?)
  7. Broadcaster fit

Example productions

  • Die Story im Ersten: Wirecard — Die Milliarden-Lüge
  • Die Story im Ersten: Die Cum-Ex-Files
  • Die Story im Ersten: Kampf um die Wahrheit
  • Die Story im Ersten: Rechts. Deutsch. Radikal.
  • Charité — Geschichte einer Klinik

Editorial notes

Exclusive access or new research findings are decisive. Topic must be Das Erste–worthy — societal significance. 90-min slot only for outstanding material. Co-productions between Landesrundfunkanstalten possible and desired. Long lead time (6–12 months).

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