Overview
- Viewers expecting Aktenzeichen XY saw seconds of ARD’s Tagesschau weather after a 3sat alpine panorama, then a ZDF “Störung” card held for about a minute.
- ZDF later told Spiegel the wrong live signals were put to air by mistake, calling it a coordination error in its playout operation.
- The crime program then started with its standard intro and host Rudi Cerne, who did not mention the on-air glitch.
- ZDF’s online replay of the episode omits the errant footage, though clips and posts of the moment spread widely on social media.
- Cross-feeds between public channels are rare but do occur, and the slip could prompt a review of how ZDF routes partner channels like 3sat into its control chain.