ARD Audiothek expands audio dramas with a high‑production thriller and new thematic feeds
Germany’s ARD is expanding its audio drama offerings in the ARD Audiothek to meet growing demand for longer podcast formats. The public broadcaster is launching a new, lavishly produced thriller featuring actor Bjarne Mädel, and it’s rolling out additional themed feeds to help listeners discover series around specific topics.
The move responds to a sustained podcast boom and renewed interest in serialized audio plays. As audiences grow more comfortable with extended listening sessions, broadcasters are investing in multi‑episode storytelling and curated collections to keep listeners engaged.
What’s new
- High‑production thriller series starring Bjarne Mädel — designed for long‑form listening.
- Thematic feeds that group series by topic, making discovery easier for niche interests.
- More serialized audio dramas aimed at listeners who prefer immersive, multi‑episode formats.
Why it matters
Audio dramas (Hörspiele) are enjoying renewed popularity as podcast audiences embrace longer, narrative formats. By creating curated feeds and investing in standout productions, ARD aims to retain listeners and attract new audiences who value deep storytelling and professional audio production.
Listening tips
- Check the ARD Audiothek app for the new thriller and themed feeds — feeds make it easy to follow series and discover related shows.
- If you prefer bingeing, look for series pages that list episodes in sequence.
- Subscribe to feeds you like to receive new episodes automatically in your podcast app.
Explore ARD Audiothek (opens in a new tab): ardaudiothek.de.
Discussion: Do you enjoy long, serialized audio dramas — or do you prefer short podcasts? Which themes would you like ARD to cover next?