Overview
- ZDF confirmed in mid‑August 2026 that it will not continue the TV film series Die Maiwald after only two broadcast films.
- The broadcaster pointed to comparative audience figures as the reason, with Die Maiwald drawing about 3.0 million and 2.87 million viewers while Einfach Elli reached roughly 3.72 million and 3.33 million.
- Die Maiwald also underperformed in the key 14–49 demographic, recording market shares near 6.1% and 4.1%, which ZDF said weakened its case for an ongoing slot.
- ZDF has greenlit a larger follow-up for Einfach Elli, ordering four new feature-length episodes, and the network publicly thanked Die Maiwald’s cast and crew for their work.
- Both Die Maiwald’s two films remain available in the ZDF‑Mediathek and the move fits ZDF’s broader strategy of concentrating Thursday evenings on proven, high‑reach brands.