The television channel ZDFneo replaced the ZDFdokukanal on November 1, 2009. It sees itself as a public service program alternative for 25 to 49-year-olds.

ZDFneo is a mixture of true-to-life “factual entertainment” formats, service programs, documentaries, reports, latenight and personality shows, quizzes, docu-soaps, feature films, international commercial series and comedies. ZDF wrote in a press release in 2009 that ZDFneo wanted to be an attractive public service alternative for younger viewers. However, the average age of viewers is 60.

While its predecessor ZDFdokukanal only cost 4.9 million euros from 2004 to 2008, ZDF spent 93.6 million euros on ZDFneo from 2009 to 2012. In 2023, a market share of 2.6% of the total audience was achieved.

Well-known formats include: Bares für Rares, MaiThink X - Die Show, Doppelhaushälfte, Blaumacher, Deadlines, Die Macht der Kränkung and Sløborn. (Source: Wikipedia)