ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen) is Germany's second public television channel, alongside ARD. It was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. It resulted from demands for a second public television station, alongside the ARD (Association of Public Broadcasting Corporations of the Federal Republic of Germany) with programming closer to the state. ZDF started broadcasting on April 1, 1963. Since then, ZDF has been one of the largest TV companies in Europe. ZDF is funded by a combination of license fees and advertising revenue. ZDF offers a wide range of programming, including news and current affairs, documentaries, dramas, comedies, entertainment shows, and sports. It is known for its high-quality productions and its commitment to public service broadcasting. ZDF's news and current affairs programming is some of the most popular in Germany, and is a major producer of documentaries. ZDF produces a number of entertainment shows, such as Wetten, dass..? (a mix of variety acts and stunts) and Bares für Rares (an antiques show). ZDF also broadcasts major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.
ZDF