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Meet the Makers: Visiting the ARD Campus in Cologne

On 10 June we attended the ARD Mediathek and Das Erste campus “Meet the Makers” in Cologne, alongside the Seriencamp. A day about fiction in the Mediathek, the buzzword “Modern Mainstream” and the question of when a campaign actually begins.

Hero image: group photo at the campus in Cologne © ARD Degeto / Angelika Huber June 12, 2026 Industry

I. Visiting Cologne

On 10 June we attended the ARD Mediathek and Das Erste campus “Meet the Makers” in Cologne, alongside the Seriencamp. ARD Degeto had invited us, and for one day everything revolved around where fictional storytelling in the Mediathek is heading.

Open metal door with a sign reading “ARD Degeto Campus”, a bicycle leaning next to it
The way to the campus
Sign reading “ARD Degeto Campus” on a dark panel between brick walls
Arrived

II. What stuck with us

Almost half of all Mediathek viewing is fiction. And the competition for the 20 to 49 age group is being taken more seriously than ever. The buzzword of the day was “Modern Mainstream”.

Projected title slide “Köln Campus, Meet the Makers” on a large screen, an ARD banner next to it
Opening slide on the screen
View into the hall with rows of chairs, the screen and the first guests before the start
Shortly before the start

III. When does a campaign begin?

What we found most interesting was the point that distribution and campaign potential should be part of the thinking from the very first idea, not once the edit is locked. Which is exactly where we come in at [k]eine produktion. We now offer this connecting of development and campaign for external projects too, more on our campaigns page.

ARD banner in shades of blue in front of the screen
ARD Mediathek and Das Erste, campus in Cologne

IV. Outlook

Add to that three new genre clusters, three project presentations and the announcement of a second campus in Munich. Thank you to ARD Degeto for the invitation and the open conversations.