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Tagesschau

Tagesschau is the main national television news programme of Germany’s public-service broadcaster ARD.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tagesschau is the main national television news programme of Germany’s public-service broadcaster ARD. Produced by the editorial staff of ARD-aktuell, it airs a principal edition each evening and also serves as a news brand across ARD’s digital and television services.

Overview

Tagesschau is Germany’s flagship television news programme and a core news brand of the ARD public-service network. It covers national and international news and is distributed through television, web, and app-based platforms.

Broadcast and distribution

The main edition is scheduled at 20:00 on Das Erste and is also shown on multiple regional and thematic ARD channels. Tagesschau content is also available through tagesschau.de, podcasts, livestreams, and Tagesschau24.

Language and formats

The standard programme is in German, but ARD also provides versions in plain or simple language for audiences who need easier-to-understand news. These editions are intended to make current affairs more accessible.

History and reach

Tagesschau is described by German information sources as one of the oldest and most popular television news programmes in Germany, with an online presence since 1996. It is widely recognized as a central source of daily news in German public broadcasting.

Key facts

Tagesschau is Germany’s main public-service television news programme, produced by ARD-aktuell for ARD.
The main edition airs at 20:00 on Das Erste and is simulcast on several ARD-affiliated channels.
Tagesschau is the core news brand for ARD, including tagesschau.de and Tagesschau24.
The programme has been available online since 1996 through tagesschau.de.
ARD offers simplified-language news editions under the Tagesschau brand for accessibility.

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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Tagesschau as a major example of public-service broadcasting in Europe and as a source for German and international news coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tagesschau?

Tagesschau is Germany’s main public-service television news programme, produced by ARD-aktuell for the ARD network.

What does Tagesschau mean in English?

It is commonly translated as “Review of the Day” or simply “news,” depending on the dictionary source.

When does the main edition air?

The main edition airs at 20:00 on Das Erste.

Is Tagesschau available online?

Yes. Tagesschau has been online since 1996 through tagesschau.de and related digital services.

Does Tagesschau have simplified-language news?

Yes. ARD offers editions in plain or simple language for viewers who need easier-to-understand news.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagesschau_(German_TV_programme)
Supports: Main broadcaster, producer, main edition time, simulcasts, and role as ARD news brand.
Deutschland.de — https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/knowledge/news
Supports: Tagesschau.de as the oldest and most popular TV news show online since 1996.
BBC — https://www.bbc.com/languages/german/tv/onlinenews.shtml
Supports: Nightly broadcast and available formats including bulletins and livestreams.
Goethe-Institut — https://www.goethe.de/prj/dlp/en/teachingmaterials/tagesschau_in_plain_language
Supports: Plain-language edition and accessibility rationale.
Tagesschau — https://www.tagesschau.de/tagesschau_in_einfacher_sprache
Supports: Simple-language news edition and accessibility purpose.
Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/tagesschau/id340159582?l=en-GB
Supports: Tagesschau as a video-podcast/news distribution channel.