Beginning September 1st, 2025, passengers aboard Deutsche Bahn's high-speed ICE trains will gain access to a selection of free programs from public broadcaster ZDF and children's channel KiKA. This initiative stems from a new agreement between ZDF Studios and Deutsche Bahn. The deal significantly boosts the on-board ICE portal's content library.
The expanded platform will feature a diverse range of programming, encompassing fiction, documentaries, and children's and youth shows. Popular series and films such as Wilsberg, Doppelhaushälfte (Duplex), Terra X, and Der Bergdoktor (Mountain Medic) will be available. KiKA favorites like Bernd das Brot (Bernd the Bread), Kikaninchen, and Die Brücke (The Bridge) are also included. Celebrations are planned on social media to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ‘Bernd das Brot’, showcasing the iconic grumpy bread character.
The ICE portal, a free information and entertainment service accessible on all ICE trains, provides a wide array of digital services, films, and series. This is regardless of mobile phone reception or internet connection, once passengers connect to the train's free Wi-Fi. Niko Chainopoulos, Sales & Acquisition Director Junior at ZDF Studios, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are very pleased about this agreement with Deutsche Bahn. It allows us to bring ZDF and KiKA’s great programmes closer to travellers via an exciting new touchpoint.”
Markus Otte, DB Fernverkehr’s Director of Digital Content, added: “Thanks to our collaboration with ZDF Studios, the ICE portal will offer an extraordinary variety of entertainment from September onwards. No other company in Germany offers this combination of content and quality. We are delighted about this, as are we sure our passengers will be.”